Overview
The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is offering an internship opportunity for students pursuing a master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Political Science, or a related field. This position is ideal for candidates who reside within daily commuting distance of the NAI in Uppsala.
About the Nordic Africa Institute
Established in 1962, the Nordic Africa Institute serves as a knowledge hub focused on collaborative research, documentation, and communication regarding contemporary African issues. NAI aims to generate knowledge and provide policy insights by fostering partnerships between African and Nordic institutions. Our commitment is to enhance understanding of Africa’s perspectives, challenges, and opportunities, and to facilitate sustainable development through informed decision-making.
NAI’s research activities are aligned with five impact areas:
- Equality, Social Justice & Inclusion
- Governance, Citizenship & Participation
- Economy, Employment & Mobility
- Climate, Natural Resources & Sustainability
- Peace, Security & Human Rights
Project Details
The internship will support a project led by Senior Researcher Assem Abu Hatab, which investigates the complex interplay between external debt, food security, and sustainable development in Africa. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners on how debt burdens affect food systems and development pathways across the continent.
Internship Objectives
Interns will engage in an interdisciplinary research environment, gaining knowledge and practical experience in policy-oriented research, economic analysis, and academic writing. Under the guidance of the project leader, interns will focus on key responsibilities while also participating in various institutional activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews on external debt and food security in Africa.
- Assist in data collection, cleaning, and analysis using relevant economic and statistical tools.
- Collaborate with senior researchers to produce high-quality academic and policy-oriented outputs, including manuscripts, policy briefs, and presentations.
- Support the organization of workshops, meetings, and seminars related to the project.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Political Science, or a related field at a Swedish university.
- Strong interest in African development, external debt issues, and food security.
- Knowledge of data analysis tools and proficiency in statistical packages and programming languages (e.g., STATA, SPSS, or R) is desirable.
- Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research setting.
- Prior experience with economic research or policy analysis is an asset but not required.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your interest in the internship and relevant experience, and a sample of your written work (if available). The application deadline is November 30, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Security
Background checks may be performed on selected candidates for security purposes.
Duration and Location
The internship is expected to commence on January 20, 2025, and will last four months. Candidates must reside locally to commute daily to the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala.
Inquiries
For questions regarding the internship, please contact:
- Project Manager: Assem Abu Hatab at assem.abu-hatab@nai.uu.se
- Human Resources: Hanna Bjork at hanna.bjork@nai.uu.se
No Fees
The Nordic Africa Institute does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training, or other fees) nor does it request information related to bank accounts.
