We talked to Joe Meredith, our recent intern from the UK, about his experience working with ACSGRE.
ACSGRE offers opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to undertake internships supporting the organisation’s research, consultancies and communications. Joe Meredith, a postgraduate Master’s student at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, will soon complete a 3-month internship with ACSGRE. We asked him about his experience:
Hi Joe, could you tell us a bit about yourself, your course and how you found out about Africa Centre for Security, Governance and Research (ACSGRE)?
Sure! My name is Joe Meredith, I’m 28 years old and I’m from the UK. I have an undergraduate degree in languages (French and German) after which I spent five years working for different non-profit organisations in the UK including a migration charity, a medical association and an intergovernmental agency. I wanted to learn more about policy and research in international development (specifically in conflict, peace and security) and so applied to study a Master’s in Conflict Studies and Human Rights at Utrecht University.
As a part of the course, I am able to conduct an internship abroad so I started researching different organisations working on conflict and security around the world with whom I might be able to intern. I was interested in writing my thesis on security issues in Ethiopia and so I started looking for organisations in Kenya who work on related issues, particularly as I knew Nairobi was a regional hub for NGOs and INGOs. I came across ACSGRE who not only work in the IGAD region but also across the whole continent and contacted them over email – the rest is history!
Why did you decide to apply to be an intern with ACSGRE, and how did you find the application process?
I decided to apply to work with ACSGRE as their work fits my interests perfectly! As mentioned, I was interested in writing my thesis on Ethiopia and ACSGRE have done work across IGAD states including Kenya and Somalia, suggesting there might be synergies. I was definitely able to benefit from the extensive knowledge of both Mr. Kabongah and Mr. Muthoga in that regard, both having decades-long experience working in the region.
Moreover, I was keen to expand the knowledge I had gained through the course about conflict, security and development in practice. During the internship I learned a huge amount about conflict, security and governance dynamics in Kenya and in the Horn of Africa. For example, I learned about Kenya’s national peacebuilding architecture and key drivers of conflict including violent extremism, political tribalism, climate change and protracted pastoralist conflicts particularly in Kenya’s northern rangelands. Crucially I also learned about how practitioners work on these issues in practice – the different kinds of peacebuilding and governance mechanisms local organisations employ to resolve conflicts, the landscape of international funding and the challenges of working on sensitive topics like conflict and security.
I further gained vital professional skills for my future career. I am very interested in moving my career towards research and policy within conflict, peace and security. ACSGRE were the perfect fit as a research organisation who conduct assessments, research studies and project evaluations via consultancies for local, national and international partners including UNDP, RECSA and Finn Church Aid. They work on issues in which I am very interested like Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and I was able to help prepare proposals for consultancies in these areas as well as supporting field research around governmental policy implementation in one of Kenya’s counties. I learned a great amount about monitoring and evaluation, consultancy work in the development sector, research work, preparing technical and financial proposals and more.
In terms of the application process, it went very well. I sent them my CV and a cover note in an email and then, after communicating, we met over Zoom which was great. Mr. Kabongah and Mr. Muthoga were very patient and understanding, especially as there was lots of paperwork to be completed for my university.
"I learned a huge amount about conflict, security and governance and really developed new skills which will help me a lot in my future career. They also really looked after me and made me feel part of the family."
What was your experience moving from the UK/the Netherlands to Nairobi as an intern?
I was really excited both to work for an organisation working on issues that really interest me, but also to move and live in Kenya for three months. I had heard Nairobi was an incredibly vibrant city and that Kenya is a beautiful and diverse country. Of course, I was also a bit nervous at first as it was a big change for me to move from the UK/the Netherlands to Nairobi. I was unsure of where to live, how best to get around and what I needed to do when I arrived.
Mr. Kabongah and Mr. Muthoga really helped me a great deal to prepare to move to Nairobi. They helped me find somewhere good to live (it was really lovely!) where I could walk to work and answered every question I had. They really facilitated a soft landing for me in Nairobi for which I am eternally grateful. I really felt a part of the family.
What are your highlights from the internship?
My top three highlights include:
Supporting with some field research in one of Kenya’s counties. I got to meet local Kenyan student leaders, eat a lot of local food and understand more about Kenyan political and social life – it was a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget!
The work I did for ACSGRE was very interesting and insightful and I learned a lot about conflict, security and governance. I also learned a lot about Kenyan culture and life through work and conversations with my colleagues – it was incredibly enriching. Particularly as my colleagues really took me under their wing and made me feel incredibly welcome.
Another highlight is undoubtedly living in Kenya – experiencing a new country and one as vibrant and beautiful as Kenya was a real privilege. Its history, landscapes and wildlife are incredibly interesting and diverse. Kenyan food is also amazing. It’s tough to top seeing monkeys on the way to work!
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
I would really recommend working as an intern with Mr. Kabongah and Mr. Muthoga at ACSGRE. I will never forget my time working with them. I learned a huge amount about conflict, security and governance and really developed new skills which will help me a lot in my future career. They also really looked after me and made me feel part of the family. I was able to travel and see a lot of Kenya. It was an amazing opportunity to live and work in Kenya – one that I will never forget!
Internships at ACSGRE
Limited internships for both international and local students are available for three month periods and are unpaid. ACSGRE considers speculative applications on a rolling basis.
For all prospective applicants, please submit your expression of interest with a cover letter (one page) and cv (two pages maximum) to info@usalamaafrika.org