Why did we start the Cloneshouse African Internship Program?

Cloneshouse is always seeking passionate, goal-oriented, diligent individuals who are interested in the growing field of Monitoring and Evaluation and are willing to invest time and effort to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of the various Monitoring and Evaluation components; including the best practices that are obtainable per time.

As a for-profit consulting firm, we rolled out the Cloneshouse African Internship Program (CAIP) for the first time in October 2019 to fill the gaps of emerging evaluators that have been identified from our past work. We had two females on that first-ever batch which was not pre-determined in any way, as only female applicants of the opportunity turned for the screening test. Since then, we have been fortunate to have a blend of both genders follow through the entire process and join the program.

Who is Eligible?

The Cloneshouse African Internship Program typically seeks candidates from all across Africa, with both experience and inexperience in data collection activities and data quality analysis, e-learning on basic and results-based monitoring and evaluation, ex-post evaluation, learning studies, impact evaluation, MEL capacity strengthening, proposal writing, report writing. It is with pleasure that we open the opportunity up to not just people with experience in the field but also to those who are looking to begin their career in Monitoring and Evaluation.

How many Interns per Cohort?

Currently, we have increased the number of vacancies for interested individuals per cohort. We started out with two interns, increased to four interns, then eight interns. For January 2024 cohort, we will also be taking in eight (8) interns in total, from within Nigeria and around Africa.

What’s the Experience Like?

Typically, interns go through a three-week Basic Monitoring and Evaluation course and a six-week Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation course, as well as work on projects with mid-level and senior consultants. Currently, we have our interns working with us on the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive Maternal & Child Health End of Project Evaluation on the project “Nation-wide Family Planning Campaign Nigeria” in 15 states of Nigeria.

Furthermore, our interns recently got to work on our just concluded project with Sightsavers on the End-of-term Evaluation of Sightsavers Northwest Nigeria Child Eye Health Project in Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara.

Our interns also get the opportunity to be involved in rendering technical assistance to some of our partners via capacity strengthening programmes, which exposes them to various methods of facilitating and implementing successful and impactful M&E training.

What Some of Our Past Interns Have to Say

As a young program officer in a thriving non-profit organization in Nigeria, I had the opportunity to be on some development projects, supporting the organization in supervising and managing her programs and initiatives. But there was something missing; the ability to effectively conduct monitoring and evaluation assessment on these projects with other team members. I applied for the Cloneshouse Nigeria Monitoring and Evaluation Internship programme, believing that it will afford me the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge on M&E. I consider this opportunity an invaluable one. The team took me through some courses with rich practical case studies that deepened my understanding of the concepts, theories and practices of M&E. It was a decision I was glad I made.

Joshua Arogunyo, Program Officer, Basic Rights Watch

My internship program at Cloneshouse has provided an in-depth insight on the development of Monitoring and Evaluation plan or framework, on how its utilization can help with the strategic implementation of a project or programme from start to finish. And most importantly the benefit of working as a team with a common goal and common passion to make a change. The internship has given me the passion and curiosity to be a changemaker with the right skills and tools to implement a project.

Bilikis Akanni, Consultant, Biliola Consulting service

Do we pay Interns?

Deliberately, we refer to this as an unpaid internship. Practically, it is a paid apprenticeship. Cloneshouse does not pay a salary to interns, but at the discretion of project teams, interns can earn a stipend from projects to which they are attached. Per diems and travel expenses are also given if the intern accepts to travel with our team of consultants for Cloneshouse projects outside the city of Abuja, where the head office is located and where the interns report. It is however worth noting that on-site engagements make up only about 10% of interns work schedule, while the remaining 90% goes to virtual engagements. Most importantly, some of our past interns are now junior consultants, taking on projects within the firm.

Arguments and counterarguments have arisen on why companies should pay their interns or not. Interns are very important in establishments. If not for anything, they provide the much needed extra hands for productiveness, though their mistakes can cost companies a lot. Interns are also easier to train, which means that if the company finally absorbs them into its labour force, they will become wonderful employees. Whether an intern is paid or not, what is most important is that there is an agreement between both parties – employer and employee (or intern in this instance).

Application Process

Announcements about our internship opportunity are made known via our newsletter which you get to see when you subscribe. Be the first to know about subsequent internship openings when you subscribe to our newsletter on our homepage.

On the CAIP application form, you will be asked to fill a form that will ask you basic questions about who you are and request a statement of interest.

All applications are stored in a database that is consulted by our HR Team based on business needs. Please note that candidates will not hear from us unless they are shortlisted by our HR Team. Candidates who are selected from the applicants’ pool for further review will subsequently be required to provide their CV and proof of enrollment in a graduate degree. CVs should best contain 3 Referees. A guarantor form is attached to offer letters issued to successful candidates who are required to submit the guarantor forms alongside their proof of acceptance of the internship offer.

At Cloneshouse, we encourage cooperative agreements with individuals, international and national partners. If you would like to support the internship program for young emerging evaluators, you can reach out to our Nigerian team at [email protected]

14 Comments

  1. Reuben Edidiong July 4, 2022 at 8:41 pm - Reply

    How can I apply fir the next batch of interns?

    • Noelle Uloko July 5, 2022 at 9:35 am - Reply

      Hello, please click on the link to subscribe to our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h5a-iX

    • Olusegun Olagunju November 22, 2022 at 6:07 am - Reply

      Hi Rueben, here’s another opportunity. Get in!

  2. Anyuru Ivy November 30, 2022 at 9:12 am - Reply

    Is this opportunity for only those based in Nigeria

    • Noelle Uloko November 30, 2022 at 9:44 am - Reply

      Hello, it’s open not only to those living in Nigeria, but other Africans living in their own countries. Hope this helps. Please not that this opportunity is for Africans alone.

  3. Faith December 2, 2022 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    I have been finding it difficult to submit the form ,please who do i contact?

    • Noelle Uloko December 5, 2022 at 8:32 am - Reply

      Hello, it could be a network glitch. We are still receiving submissions. Deadline was initially today December 5, 2022, but has now been extended to Friday, 9th December 2022. Please try again.

  4. Lawal Christianah December 7, 2022 at 3:31 pm - Reply

    I really appreciate u. How much will it cost me

    • Noelle Uloko December 8, 2022 at 8:21 am - Reply

      Hello, please note that there are no financial obligations to applying. It financially costs you nothing from us.
      Hope this explanation helps.

  5. ANOSIKE ROMANUS October 25, 2023 at 12:26 pm - Reply

    Am interested to volunteer with your organization

  6. Nabakadde Sylvia October 28, 2023 at 4:03 am - Reply

    Am above 35years but interested in the virtual internship experience. Can I be considered?

    • Noelle Uloko December 4, 2023 at 4:46 am - Reply

      Hello, not at this point in time please. When we require interns above existing age range, it will be communicated.

  7. Barnabas Marc Mangai November 7, 2023 at 5:33 pm - Reply

    I am highly interested but it’s showing “The form Cloneshouse African Internship Application Form is no longer accepting responses”
    .

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