I have now been advised by some people to simply obtain email addresses of project leaders and scatter my CV with a passionate cover letter.

Please do you guys think this would be the best strategy? If not, please what is?

Chylo: Hey guys, please I need advice from people who know about this kind of stuff.

I wish to get an internship with an International Development organisation like the World Bank, UNDP, or any similar group (paid or unpaid), and would like advice on how to go about it.

My BSc was in Agric Economics, my MSc, which I am currently completing is in Development Economics from the University of Manchester (Distinction).
I would like to come back to Nigeria for one year before I start my PhD in London School of Economics by Oct 2013. I intend to use this one year break to garner useful work experience in such organisations.
Please any help or advice would be highly appreciated.

N.B: I am also willing to work with reputable local NGOs as well and even for free (as long as I am given an active role to play).

Ngo? Pls wats the catch/benefit of working with an ngo, cos i just got a chance to work with one of them local ones for a year, please tell me.

nitrogen:
Ngo? Pls wats the catch/benefit of working with an ngo, cos i just got a chance to work with one of them local ones for a year, please tell me.

If it is a reputable NGO, you can stand a chance to gain employment in similar and bigger organizations in future through affiliation. Gaining experience in project management is also a big catch in such organizations as most of them deal on seeing out projects on an individual basis. Administrative experience as well as hands on logistics knowledge if it is a relief organisation can be part of the things you stand to learn.

^^ interesting, that will be for those that are in hr management, agric econs and extension, project management, psychology and other relevant fields, but what about others like finance management and econs?

World Bank internships are mostly offered in Washington. Not only are they extremely competitive, they are also very specific. For the moment, i would advise that you network your way into the CBN, in departments that involve Policy and administration.

nitrogen:
Ngo? Pls wats the catch/benefit of working with an ngo, cos i just got a chance to work with one of them local ones for a year, please tell me.

NGOs give you an opportunity to show selfless service. This is one of the most important virtues of development work.

violent:

World Bank internships are mostly offered in Washington. Not only are they extremely competitive, they are also very specific. For the moment, i would advise that you network your way into the CBN, in departments that involve Policy and administration.

Thanx Violent, but I know all these organisations have field offices in Nigeria. Are you saying it is impossible to get a placement with any of them? I have been told about CBN and such, but my dream is really not finance based but, actual development work based. Please advice.

nitrogen: ^^ interesting, that will be for those that are in hr management, agric econs and extension, project management, psychology and other relevant fields, but what about others like finance management and econs?

Those courses you have mentioned, in my opinion, are excellent ones for development as well, as long as the passion and interest is there. The thing is development is not a place for a quick buxk to be made. It is a calling, a mission, to see change in the world. If this passion is absent, then it may be difficult.

I fink finance management and economics are relevant.

Chylo:

Thanx Violent, but I know all these organisations have field offices in Nigeria. Are you saying it is impossible to get a placement with any of them? I have been told about CBN and such, but my dream is really not finance based but, actual development work based. Please advice.

Not saying it's impossible, just a bit tough! The WBG "attempts" to always select applicants in an open, fair, merit based environment. So most positions including local hires come with Job codes and has to be advertised on their region specific internship site, if a position is not advertised, it cannot be filled. This is just saying from what i think i know.

That said, there's nothing to lose by preparing a sound application and sending it directly to someone who has enough authority to determine who gets hired and who doesn't. It may be a bad idea to flood their office with application letters as that may easily put you in a "desperate bucket" which will mean that even future applications may be ignored. While you can, you should also try to network with people from the Bank via linkedin.

CBN isn't completely finance based. A huge department at CBN is actually dedicated to developmental activities. Getting into CBN will provide you with a rich developmental experience to back your studies and i'm inclined to believe it's actually more realistic to get than WBG.


On the other hand, you may also give African Development bank a shot. I know a friend who got a job there recently, although in the UK. I get a feeling that they may be looking to fill a few roles.

violent:

Not saying it's impossible, just a bit tough! The WBG "attempts" to always select applicants in an open, fair, merit based environment. So most positions including local hires come with Job codes and has to be advertised on their region specific internship site, if a position is not advertised, it cannot be filled. This is just saying from what i think i know.

That said, there's nothing to lose by preparing a sound application and sending it directly to someone who has enough authority to determine who gets hired and who doesn't. It may be a bad idea to flood their office with application letters as that may easily put you in a "desperate bucket" which will mean that even future applications may be ignored. While you can, you should also try to network with people from the Bank via linkedin.

CBN isn't completely finance based. A huge department at CBN is actually dedicated to developmental activities. Getting into CBN will provide you with a rich developmental experience to back your studies and i'm inclined to believe it's actually more realistic to get than WBG.


On the other hand, you may also give African Development bank a shot. I know a friend who got a job there recently, although in the UK. I get a feeling that they may be looking to fill a few roles.

Thanx a lot man. Please can you advice on how to go about getting into the CBN or ADB? Thanx

Chylo:

Thanx a lot man. Please can you advice on how to go about getting into the CBN or ADB? Thanx

Most people i know that work in these places got in through their networks. Unfortunately, i don't know of hard and fast routes. (Peharps reading the CBN thread may give you some insights into this ??)

I'd go on google and type in "Development Specialist, Central Bank of Nigeria, LinkedIn". You will likely come up with names of people worth networking with. If you can get them on your LinkedIn network, then you can send them a private email introducing yourself and stating what your objectives are.

Make sure you don't grovel too much. Your line of email should go something like:

"You are a bright ambitious graduate with interest in economic development and research. You have succeeded in building your knowledge on global economic dynamics and now wish to contribute that knowledge within a practical framework. You can't think of a better way to do this than being at home and gaining expertise from working with experienced specialists on difficult developmental challenges facing the country and how they are practically tackled. You are happy to work just for the sake of learning and wouldn't mind getting your hands dirty right away and all for free. You intend to further your education immediately after the internship and you already have strong prospects for a Phd program in one of the World leading Universities"....blah blah

Just something to show that you really have something in you that differentiates you from the other 5 million Nigerians who will happily sell their right arms to get to CBN if given the chance.

Another NGO you can look at is MercyCorps. They are a UK based company but with field offices in Abuja. You could send an email directly to them stating your intention to work with their economic advisers in Nigeria for a brief internship.

in your emails, make sure you always mention that you are "bright and ambitious" and make sure you always put it in the first few lines. In the last few lines, make sure you always mention that you have good prospects of furthering your academics at the doctoral level at one of the global brands. The first few lines does the trick with first impressions, the last few lines ensures that those first impressions are ingrained on the mind.

Goodluck!

The WB, IFC, AfDB and other developmental fin. institutions offer internship programs to qualified candidates on an on going basis and recruit without bias.

You don't need to know somebody or have any connection before you can apply, just bear in mind that you will be going against some of the best brains available. Not just people with distinction or stellar grades but people that can speak three to five foreign languages just to mention a few.

So thinking that a distinction at both graduate and post graduate level will make you the best candidate is far from it. Don't get me wrong, I think that it is good that you have these stellar grades but don't allow it get into your head and think that the WB slot will automatically come as a result of this. Another thing they consider is your number of published articles hence I ask this have you written any articles that has been published any recently? If no, now is a good time to start. Try and get a slot with your faculty editorial.

What about your MSc dissertation? Is it of relevance to the overall intent of the organizations you want to intern with? These are the kind of prerequisites that they will look out for. You will be surprised that they don't lay much emphasis on your grades per say. Additionally, have you attended any of their seminars or workshops lately? In a nut shell, you must be able to demonstrate an all encompassing understanding of the organization and what they engage in. For example what is the core intent of WB vs. AfDB vs. IFC and how do they operate in country specific locations? Which sectors are a top priority for them? etc.

The google search engine will be a good place to commence your quest! All the best!

deenee: The WB, IFC, AfDB and other developmental fin. institutions offer internship programs to qualified candidates on an on going basis and recruit without bias.

You don't need to know somebody or have any connection before you can apply, just bear in mind that you will be going against some of the best brains available. Not just people with distinction or stellar grades but people that can speak three to five foreign languages just to mention a few.

So thinking that a distinction at both graduate and post graduate level will make you the best candidate is far from it. Don't get me wrong, I think that it is good that you have these stellar grades but don't allow it get into your head and think that the WB slot will automatically come as a result of this. Another thing they consider is your number of published articles hence I ask this have you written any articles that has been published any recently? If no, now is a good time to start. Try and get a slot with your faculty editorial.

What about your MSc dissertation? Is it of relevance to the overall intent of the organizations you want to intern with? These are the kind of prerequisites that they will look out for. You will be surprised that they don't lay much emphasis on your grades per say. Additionally, have you attended any of their seminars or workshops lately? In a nut shell, you must be able to demonstrate an all encompassing understanding of the organization and what they engage in. For example what is the core intent of WB vs. AfDB vs. IFC and how do they operate in country specific locations? Which sectors are a top priority for them? etc.

The google search engine will be a good place to commence your quest! All the best!

Thank you for the comments. I have published one article in an international journal (Journal of the International Institute of Public Policy), on food security and the environment.

I know good grades alone are not enough, so I have been learning french and am now an intermediate speaker and perfect reader. As for seminars, the Brooks World Poverty Institute, BWPI (chaired by Nobel winner Joeseph Stiglitz) is domiciled in my school (University of Manchester) and as such, I have been opportuned to attend dozens of seminars presented by the leading economists in international development such as Amatrya Sen, Esther Dufflo, Ravallion, Aberjit Banerjee, and Stiglitz himself. I have also attended seminars organised by some of these organisations in London, such as the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) development report presentation, so I think I know a bit about what they do.

I find it frustrating because even though the university supposedly has good contacts, the lecturers and the school system itself, seem to not want to give any special assistance in the area of career development. I don not know why this is (could be peculiar to international students too, after the PSW era).

Above all, I am extremely passionate about this course of action. My dissertation was to econometrically determine the factors which make agriculture more productive in developing countries and I received a distinction for it.

In Nigeria now, everyone is just talking about connection connection, but I have none. AM trusting in God sha.

Thanx for all the advice.

@ Violent, thanx for the advice, I will look into doing that. I never knew linkedin was such a powerful networking tool. Ave been on it, joined groups and comment on interesting subjects, but I thought you could only network with people that you knew previously. Thanx again.

Chylo: Hey guys, please I need advice from people who know about this kind of stuff.

I wish to get an internship with an International Development organisation like the World Bank, UNDP, or any similar group (paid or unpaid), and would like advice on how to go about it.

My BSc was in Agric Economics, my MSc, which I am currently completing is in Development Economics from the University of Manchester (Distinction).
I would like to come back to Nigeria for one year before I start my PhD in London School of Economics by Oct 2013. I intend to use this one year break to garner useful work experience in such organisations.
Please any help or advice would be highly appreciated.

N.B: I am also willing to work with reputable local NGOs as well, and even for free (as long as I am given an active role to play).

Start by applying for current vacancies in the UN system in Nigeria, here.
Also, the LinkedIn suggestion is a good one.

AjanleKoko:

Start by applying for current vacancies in the UN system in Nigeria, here.
Also, the LinkedIn suggestion is a good one.

Thank you for the link sir, but these roles are all experienced/consultant/professional ones. Do you know if there a link for project specific openings?

I am quite impressed with your efforts till date. I just spoke to a friend who works with WB in DC and she said that application for internships at WB which is done on a yearly basis has closed, so you might have to wait till the window of opportunity pans in again(typically they will start receiving applications for 2013 interns around September or November this year)

You might also want to consider AfDB as I am aware that they do take a lot of interns that work out their HO in Tunisia. However, I don't know much about their internal processes.

You could also add a few seminal foundations with presence in Africa to list like Diageo foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Ford foundation just to mention a few. One strong point that you might wish to add to your cover letter is your willingness to undertake the internship offer even in unpaid capacity. This will demonstrate passion on your part and could be the punchline required.
Yet again, I will recommend that internet as a good source of information for your quest!

All the best!

you should also follow @Aidjobs on twitter&read through their recent posts, its a comprehensive list of available jobs in development all over the world. Goodluck.

Thanxs a lot, will do that.

look up the humanitarian and leadership academy of Save the Children Uk. heard they are hiring interns

durobraham: look up the humanitarian and leadership academy of Save the Children Uk. heard they are hiring interns

Thank you, I have applied.

Chylo:

In Nigeria now, everyone is just talking about connection connection, but I have none. AM trusting in God sha.

Thanx for all the advice.

iGuess Nigeria had the first School of LinkedIn. You don't need to be 'kicking anyone's boots' but you do need connection - see it as maintaining contacts or networking. Goodluck

Hey,

I will have to let you know that I read quite misleading statements here about some international organizations, effectively the World Bank. The reality is somewhat between those opinions we read on this interesting forum. No matter how good you are, it is very unlikely you will make it there without a proper recommendation (call it connection or whatever). On the other hand, no matter how strong your connection is, you won't make it without being very good. Therefore, you will need to have both to be able to get there. For example, most applicants are fluent in 3 languages (including their mother tongue; that means 2 foreign languages), so the one who usually gets a position there is fluent in 4-6 languages (quite rare people, but there are such people, no doubt about that). You don't speak even French properly so you would need to put much more effort in your language skills. Also, you seem to be linked to Nigeria only, while the nature and philosophy of WB work is diametrically different. Your degree, on the other hand, seems to be very strong, since it's a very specialized type of economics, but, you have already been graded for your thesis and that might be the disadvantage (read internship requirements). I don't mean to be disappointing, only realistic.

Cheers

Interesting posting.

I've been a big fan of the International Devt space as well, and would consider switching. My background is accounting/finance (Masters in Finance) and work experience is limited financial advisory roles. I've even considered taking a second masters degree in Intl Devt, or Economics. But in reality, degrees don't really guarantee jobs - or do they?

Applied for a number of roles on WB, ADB websites in the past and didn't get any traction there.

Any ideas on how someone with a pure finance background could break into this space?

Thanks folks!

@ Nick, way to pour cold water lool

@Laajman, I strongly believe passion speaks louder than a thousand certs. The key would be getting scheduled for interviews, because once the opportunity presents itself, passion shines through. As far as am concerned, a Finance background is quite relevant for development work. A few seminars on monitoring and evaluation and econometrics should provide the rest of the skills. Apparently, we in the same shoes, but ur even better cos you have experience. Good luck!!!