Intern - FCI4Africa

Internship Title: Intern – FCI4Africa

Duration: 6 months

Location: Remote or Hybrid (Nigeria)

Background

The Food Convergence Innovation for Africa (FCI4Africa) initiative supports practical, data-driven innovations that strengthen the performance, resilience, and sustainability of food systems. The program brings together a consortium of 14 partners across Africa, Europe, and Canada with expertise in Agriculture & Food Quality, Trade & Technology, and Policy & Governance, and is coordinated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

As part of the consortium, TechnoServe focuses on developing and deploying digital solutions that facilitate food quality, sustainability and trade, while building on existing platforms; the Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI) and Nigeria’s Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI).

Building on these tools, FCI4Africa is piloting several new innovations, including digital traceability systems to track grain quality across supply chains, sustainability assessment tools for food processors, and data-driven insights to strengthen transparency and resilience in food value chains.

To support these efforts, TechnoServe seeks a motivated intern to contribute research, analysis, and program support across pilot initiatives in Nigeria.

Objectives of the Internship

The internship aims to support FCI4Africa in integrating sustainability, ESG considerations, traceability and market systems insights into its pilot activities and digital innovation tools. The intern will contribute to research and analysis, help generate relevant insights, support stakeholder engagement, and assist in developing practical approaches that strengthen food value chains.

Suggested Activities

1. Sustainability & ESG Research

• Conduct desk research on sustainability and ESG frameworks relevant to food processors (flour millers, edible oil processors) in Nigeria


• Support a food processors’ sustainability assessment exercise


• Support efforts in development of a sustainability assessment framework for food processors.

2. Program and Pilot Support

• Provide analytical and operational support to pilot initiatives, including the digital traceability tool and sustainability assessment pilot.


• Assist in organizing and documenting pilot activities, stakeholder consultations, and learning sessions.


• Support coordination with partners involved in implementation.

3. Data Analysis, Insights & Knowledge Support

• Support analysis of data generated through FCI4Africa tools and pilots.


• Support translation of data into tables, visualizations, and short analytical summaries.


• Support development of materials that communicate program insights to partners, donors, and industry stakeholders.

Skills & Attributes

• Recent graduate or early-career professional in economics, business, international development, agriculture, finance, or a related field.


• Demonstrated interest in agribusiness, food systems or sustainability


• Experience conducting research, analysis, or program support within development or private-sector initiatives.


• Familiarity with ESG frameworks, impact reporting, or sustainability analysis is an advantage.


• Strong analytical and writing skills.


• Ability to organize information clearly and synthesize insights from research and data.


• Self-motivated and comfortable working in a remote, collaborative environment.

What the intern will gain

• Hands-on experience working on a multi-country food systems innovation initiative.


• Exposure to digital solutions for food system transparency and traceability.


• Experience engaging with agribusiness companies and market actors.


• Opportunity to contribute to emerging approaches that strengthen sustainable and resilient food systems in Africa.