Intern – West Africa and Sahel: Politics and Crime

The Netherlands Institute of International Affairs Clingendael is an independent think tank and academy for international relations, based in The Hague. We contribute to a secure, sustainable, and just world through our research, training programmes and by stimulating the public debate. We work with partners across public and private sectors, including policymakers, business executives, the Dutch armed forces, law enforcement agencies, diplomats, politicians and NGOs. Clingendael offers 40 years of top knowledge and training. The Clingendael Institute is an independent foundation, unaffiliated to any political, activist, commercial, or religious movement.

The Institute has three departments: Research, Academy and Corporate Staff. Within the Research department we are looking for an:

Intern – West Africa and Sahel: Politics and Crime

36 hours per week (full time)

The Conflict Research Unit (CRU) is a specialised team within the Clingendael Institute, conducting applied, policy-oriented research and developing practical tools that assist national and multilateral governmental and non-governmental organisations in their efforts to develop and implement more effective policies and programming on stability, development and rule of law in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Within CRU, the West Africa and Sahel research programme focuses on how governance is experienced by people in the Sahel and the risk potential of political conflict, radicalisation and regional instability. The objective of the programme is to advise on how development and stabilisation programmes could contribute to a situation in which exclusionary and/or ineffective governance structures open. This lens is applied in the programme’s work on local governance, politics, crime and migration.

Job description

The Clingendael Conflict Research Unit (CRU) has an internship position opening for the team working on Politics and Crime in West Africa and the Sahel. The internship lasts six months: from 15 January 2026 - 14 July 2026. 

The intern would provide research assistance for projects related to Politics and Crime in West Africa, with a particular focus on Mali, Niger, Burkina-Faso, Ghana, Benin and Senegal. Specifically, she/he/they will:

• Conduct literature reviews;
• Conduct data collection and qualitative content analysis of different social media platforms, such as Twitter, Youtube, Facebook and relevant media outlets;
• Contribute to writing background material, drafts, and web content.
• Provide assistance for the organization of (closed) events as part of research projects and for the dissemination of research findings.

Qualifications and experience

We would be interested if the following requirements are met:

• Completed BA degree relevant for this internship and current enrolment for MA degree (e.g. African studies, political science/IR, conflict studies);
• Fluent or mother tongue in English and French;
• Affinity with politics and conflict dynamics in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and/or West Africa
• Excellence in research and research methods, good writing skills.
• Service-minded, social skills, capable of reaching deadlines.
• Capable of working independently on the basis of instructions, team player.
• Network-oriented, feeling at home in an international environment.

Technical requirements:

• Enrollment in an MA program at the point of starting the internship
• EER/Switzerland nationality OR holder of a Dutch study visa

Clingendael offers:

• The opportunity to gain practical, policy-oriented research experience in one of Europe’s top ranking think tanks, in close cooperation with our researchers and stakeholders as policy makers, academics and (international) organizations. Ability to build up a network in the field.
• The internship compensation is EUR 550 gross for a 36-hour workweek as well as commuting compensation.

Interested?

You can apply via the ‘Apply’ button at the top of this vacancy. The deadline for response is 2 November 2025 COB.