INTERNSHIP OFFER – United States Embassy in Yaoundé

The U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé is seeking eligible students for its Department of Diplomacy Internship program. Students accepted into this program will have the opportunity to gain experience in the field of foreign affairs. Interns retained under this program are unpaid , and are in no way considered employees of the United States Embassy in Yaoundé, the United States Department of State, or the United States Government.

GENERAL INFORMATIONS:

1. INTERNSHIP PERIOD: To be determined with the selected candidate, based on the information provided in the expression of interest. The maximum duration of the internship will be six (06) months.
2. NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK: 20 hours per week.
3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Yaoundé
4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Students must meet ALL of the following criteria:

      A. Academic level : University student or graduate in information sciences and library.

      B. Skills and Abilities : Must have good communication skills. He/She must have computer skills (intermediate) in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Internet (this will be tested).

      C. Language proficiency : Good practical knowledge (Expression/Reading/Writing) in English and French.

      D. Minimum age : 18 years old at the time of participation in the program.

      E. Citizenship/legal residence : The program is only open to students who are citizens or permanent legal residents of Cameroon.

      F. Meet the definition of student: Applicants must meet the following definition of voluntary service (ref. 5 CFR § 308.101): “A student is a person enrolled at least mid -time in a secondary school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, university or other accredited educational institution. A person considered to be a student is deemed not to have ceased their academic course during an intermediate period between two school years if this period does not exceed more than 5 months and if this person demonstrates that they have the bona fide intention to pursue a program of study or training at the same or different educational institution during the academic semester (or subsequent academic year) immediately following the interval”.

GOOD TO KNOW: To be considered for this program, students must have obtained their high school diploma or equivalent before starting the program and must be at least 18 years old.

      G. Transcript and Authorization: Applicants must be in good standing at their current educational institution and provide a transcript certified by said institution. Applicants must also provide written permission from the educational institution in which they are currently enrolled to participate in the program.

5. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED BY THE STUDENT:

The Public Diplomacy Department of the United States Embassy in Yaoundé organizes cultural, educational and informational exchanges. It has an American center in Yaoundé, supports American Corners in Buea, Garoua and Douala, with Cameroonian media. To date, 3,000 Cameroonians and Americans have participated in bilateral educational and professional exchanges sponsored by the U.S. government.

• Provide administrative and programming support to the American Center, such as:

1. Implement American Center public outreach programs on a range of topics, such as promoting democracy and human rights, entrepreneurship, empowering girls and women, media education and environmental sustainability, etc.
2. Assist with the maintenance of the American Center bookstore, as well as the circulation and shelving of books and documents.

• Provide logistical and programming support for cultural and educational awareness events inside and outside the embassy.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as:

1. Accompany guests and process visitor access requests.
2. Respond to invitations addressed to the Diplomacy Department.
3. Track guest responses for events organized by the Diplomacy Department.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by Department officials.

6. SECURITY CERTIFICATION: Selected candidates will be required to receive security certification from the United States Embassy in Yaoundé before beginning their internship.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered, each candidate must submit the following documents in pdf format:

• Declaration of interest completed and signed ( download here );

https://uploads.mwp.mprod.getusinfo.com/uploads/sites/46/2024/01/Statement-of-Interest-FNSIP-PDS.docx

• Official transcripts attesting to good academic performance;
• Written authorization from the educational institution to participate in the internship program;
• Proof of citizenship or legal residence.

Submit all these documents no later than January 20, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. (Cameroon time) by email to:

• ydeapplicants@state.gov
• The subject of the email must be: FNSIP – Public Diplomacy Section

Requests that do not follow the instructions above will simply not be considered. The United States Embassy does not accept applications sent by fax or paper.

ONLY SHORT-SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.