YES Intern

Job Description

Graduate intern -Youth, Employment and Skills (YES)

About ACET

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is an economic policy institute supporting Africa's long-term growth through transformation. We produce research, offer policy advice, and galvanize action for African countries to develop their economies, reduce poverty, and improve livelihoods for all their people. We are the pre-eminent African organization advancing African solutions to African challenges.

Project Background:

The ACET Youth Employment and Skills (YES) team is seeking to recruit a graduate intern who will support in research, program activities, business development, and other activities that the YES team engages in within the program. The focus of these activities will be on using analysis to generate research products on youth and demographics, employment in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and key skill development mechanisms to enable Africa to move towards a 4IR-ready labour force.

Job Title

Graduate Intern - YES

Reporting Line

Head of YES

Location

Accra/ Remote

Job Summary

The YES intern work program will broadly focus on providing support in research, analysis, peer learning and policy engagement to the YES team.

Roles and Responsibilities

Specifically, the graduate intern will:-

• Work closely with ACETs Youth Employment and Skills (YES) program to: i) provide inputs to the project team during the drafting of research reports ii) support quantitative and qualitative analysis of data collected through research activities, and iii) engage with relevant stakeholders during validation and dissemination of research findings. The nature of activities undertaken within each project will vary, depending on the progress made in the project.

• Support in facilitation knowledge exchange in the YES chapter of the Pan African Coalition for Transformation (PACT) platform which is active in 6 African Countries.
• Work with Head of YES in the development of thought pieces, policy briefs and blogs to highlight key narratives and messages from the YES program and to make it easily accessible for policy makers.
• Support the portfolio in business development activities where required. This will include conducting background research for technical proposals.
• Provide support to the YES team in other administrative and wider-portfolio-related tasks as required.

The Talented Individual

Education/Experience

Candidates should have a minimum of a post-graduate degree (MSC/MA) in Economics, Education or any related field in the Social Sciences.

Past work experience and life-experiences (volunteer, internships) with an emphasis on research, economics, education policy, international development, youth employment or related fields will be a plus.

This position is ideal for recent graduates looking to gain experience whilst transitioning to the world of work. The role does not guarantee employment post internship.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Candidates should possess excellent research and writing skills. Special consideration is given to students with good working knowledge of French. Candidates should excel in team environments, be comfortable working with limited oversight, and possess outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.

ACET Values

ACET strives to ensure an equitable and merit-based workplace. We promote ongoing employee development to strengthen staff capacity and further professional goals. We operate around five core values:

• Pioneering: We try to push the envelope in the spirit of being a think and do tank.
• Respect: We believe that in respecting each other, we will grow together.
• Integrity: We are transparent and accountable in our actions.
• Collaboration: We believe our best results are achieved by working well together.
• Excellence: We aspire to the highest level of critical thinking to solve difficult problems.

Hiring Policies

ACET draws from a highly diversified pan-African and global talent base and offers equal opportunities to all. We are committed to ensuring that employees are remunerated, recruited, and developed based on skills and suitability for the work performed. ACET does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, or disability. ACET complies with and operates within the Labor Act of Ghana. No recruitment literature or advertisements will imply a preference for any one group of applicants unless there is a general occupational qualification that limits the post to a particular group, in which case this must be clearly stated.

WORKING AT ACET

ACET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity in the workplace. We have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassments of any kind.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should email their CV and an accompanying Cover Letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the position via this Link. Contact details of 3 references will also be required. The closing date for the receipt of applications is Wednesday, 18th March, 2026. Interviews will be held either virtually or in-person if the candidate is based in Ghana. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!