Graduate or Doctoral Internship in Mental Health

About the role

The West African Institute of Public Health (WAIPH) offers a volunteer, hybrid leadership-learnership internship in mental health, based in Abuja or online. Interns support the design, implementation and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support projects, including data collection, analysis and report writing. The role lasts 3 months and can be extended up to 12 months.

Key responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support projects
• Carry out data collection and analysis, and prepare reports or briefs
• Contribute to literature reviews and evidence-based policy briefs
• Help develop training materials and assist with workshops or community outreach
• Contribute to advocacy and public health communication on mental health
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, attend internal seminars and meetings, and help document best practices for integrating mental health into broader public health initiatives

Required profile

• Enrollment in or recent completion of a graduate or doctoral programme in Public Health, Clinical or Counseling Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work or a related mental health field
• Foundational knowledge of mental health, psychosocial support and community-based interventions, with interest in global or African public health systems
• Previous experience in research projects, fieldwork or public health programmes is an advantage; familiarity with the African context is beneficial

Required skills

• Strong research and analytical skills, including literature reviews, basic data analysis and technical document preparation
• Effective written and verbal communication for reports, presentations and advocacy content
• Teamwork, cultural sensitivity and strong organisation and time management
• Commitment to equity, ethical practice and mental health in low-resource or underserved settings