CONTEXT AND RATIONALE:
• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has initiated an immersion internship program tailored for young graduates within ECOWAS institutions.
• This program is accessible to young graduates from ECOWAS Member States, aged 32 or below.

II- PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
✓ General Objective:
• Contribute to the seamless integration of young graduates by providing them an avenue to familiarize themselves with ECOWAS programs while also offering their input for the efficient execution of institutional programs and activities.
✓ Specific Objectives:
• Facilitate an immersive experience within the services of regional entities (Institutions, Agencies, Departments, Resident Representations);
• Create a framework that allows young graduates to actively partake in the implementation of significant ECOWAS programs within Departments, Agencies, Representations, and Institutions.

III- ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:
• Young graduates acquire professional experience through their immersion in ECOWAS programs, fostering their career growth.
• Young graduates contribute to the actualization of ECOWAS programs.

IV- TARGET RECIPIENTS:
• Young graduates hailing from ECOWAS Member States, aged 32 years or less.

V- SELECTION CRITERIA:
• Citizenship of an ECOWAS Member State;
• Possession of a Bachelor's (BSc), Master's, PhD, or equivalent degree;
• Submission of:
▪ A request to the ECOWAS Commissioner responsible for Human Development and Social Affairs, outlining the candidate's motivation, areas of interest, preferred profile, desired immersion location, and commitment to program terms and conditions;
▪ A Curriculum Vitae (PDF);
▪ A copy of a national identity card or passport (PDF or JPEG);
▪ A copy of academic certificates or their equivalent (PDF).

VI- PROCESS AND SELECTION METHODOLOGY:
• Program positions are defined in collaboration with ECOWAS Departments and hosting units ahead of each program cycle, allowing candidates to apply based on expressed needs.
• The year 2024 seeks to fill 100 internship positions, as listed in the attached document.
• A Technical Selection Committee is responsible for choosing beneficiaries of the Immersion Program.
• Only selected candidates will receive further communication.

VII- IMMERSION PROGRAM CONDITIONS:
• All program stipulations are detailed in the accompanying Terms of Reference linked to this application call.

VIII- DURATION, LOCATION, AND IMMERSION TERMS:
• The Immersion Program spans one year, with a maximum duration of 12 months (non-renewable);
• The program is conducted within ECOWAS Departments, Agencies, Permanent Representatives, and Institutions, or any designated site by ECOWAS;
• Upon program completion, beneficiaries present a report in triplicate for relevant record-keeping;
• The practical modalities of the program will be collaboratively established with the hosting unit;
• Selected participants must partake in information or program feedback meetings convened by the Program Coordination, either in person or online.

IX- PROGRAM COORDINATION:
• The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs spearheads the coordination of the immersion program.

• NOTE: For comprehensive program details, kindly review the attached terms of reference and list of program positions. The terms of reference offer in-depth insights into program conditions, while the position list specifies the expressed demand, location, and required certificate level.
• Application Start Date: August 17th, 2023
• Application Deadline: August 31st, 2023

Scroll down below and click on the official link to apply