Start date: 1 April 2025

Vision and role

Good Governance Africa (GGA) is a research and advocacy think tank. Our vision is: An Africa where citizens are empowered, governments are effective, businesses thrive, poverty is eradicated, and GGA is the pre-eminent partner for advancing good governance.

As an intern at GGA, you will be part of the Peace & Security (P&S) Programme, which analyses conflict dynamics, governance challenges, and security trends across Southern Africa. By leveraging data-driven analysis and field research, it provides evidence-based insights to policymakers, civil society, and regional organisations to advance peace and security in the region. Your role will be to assist with a range of tasks that support research, policy analysis, and operational activities. Travel will occasionally be required.

Responsibilities and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

  • Conduct literature reviews on specific peace and security issues.
  • Assist in the design and refinement of research instruments, including questionnaires. interview guides, and survey tools.
  • Assist in qualitative and quantitative data collection.
  • Analyse relevant policy documents.
  • Draft opinion editorials, briefing notes, policy memos, research reports, and academic articles.
  • Assist in the drafting of funding proposals and responses to grant opportunities.
  • Compile research highlights, event summaries, and expert opinions for monthly newsletters.
  • Draft announcements of new reports, events, or key policy developments.
  • Assist in research dissemination by ensuring reports and policy briefings reach relevant policymakers, journalists, and partner organisations.
  • Assist with scheduling, speaker coordination, invitations, and technical setup for workshops, webinars, conferences, policy dialogues, and other events.
  • Elicit and report on stakeholder feedback to enhance monitoring and evaluation of your team’s work.
  • Participate at relevant conferences, workshops and related events where required and feasible.

Key skills and knowledge required:

  • Honours Degree or equivalent in political science, international relations, security studies, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, or related areas. Enrolment for a master’s degree is an advantage.
  • Understanding of major African security trends and geopolitical issues.
  • Knowledge of African political structures and governance models.
  • Knowledge of the African Peace and Security Architecture framework and related regional institutions.
  • Understanding of core concepts around disinformation and misinformation, including its spread and use by malign actors; impact on political behaviour; as well as strategies, emerging AI tools, and regulatory frameworks to counter it would be an advantage.
  • Ability to conduct literature reviews, summarise key findings, and develop research frameworks.
  • Strong analytical skills to assess policy documents, reports, and conflict trends.
  • Familiarity with research methodologies relevant to peace and security studies.
  • Knowledge of data analysis tools (Excel, SPSS, Stata, R, or NVivo) is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.
  • Excellent editing and writing skills.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • No prior work experience is required.
  • Evidence of prior publications on peace and security issues would be beneficial.

Successful applicants must have a valid South African work permit and necessary residency or citizenship requirements.

Please submit the following:

  • Your curriculum vitae (CV) including three referees.
  • Proof of identity – valid ID document or passport.
  • A one-page cover letter summarising your skills and what you would bring to the role given the outlined roles and responsibilities.

Please email your application to Stephen Buchanan-Clarke (stephen@gga.org). Candidates who fail to submit the requested documents will not be considered.

Closing Date: 14 March 2025

 

 

 

Closing Date: 14 March 2025