Policy & Research Intern
Support LWG's policy, research, and thought-leadership work on foreign assistance reform and locally led development policy.
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- Position type
- Unpaid internship. Academic credit supported where your institution allows it.
- Who should apply
- Graduate student (preferred), upper-level undergraduate (junior/senior), or recent graduate. 18 years or older.
- Eligibility
- Open to candidates anywhere.
- Duration
- 4–6 months, approximately 5–10 hours per week, flexible to set your own schedule.
- Location
- Remote
- Reports to
- Intern Supervisor and Local Works Global Executive Director. Interns may also be matched with a mentor from LWG's alumni network or Steering Committee.
- Focus areas
- Policy Research, Evidence Synthesis, Network Consultation, and Writing
- Apply by
- October 5, 2026
About Local Works Global (LWG)
Local Works Global believes that the people closest to a challenge understand it best, and that they should be the ones who decide how to solve it. We work to move the world’s development capital and decision-making power toward them. To make that real, we work in three ways:
We reimagine the system, rethinking what comes after traditional aid.
We put new ideas to practice, testing new ways to move money (including private capital) and decision-making power to local organizations.
And we help funders make the shift, advising donors who want to fund differently.
Our work started at USAID, where we spent more than a decade shifting power and strengthening community leadership in development. That experience lives on through the global network that grew from it: more than 320 locally led development practitioners and 400 trusted community partners across 64 countries. LWG is currently 100% volunteer-run and pre-revenue. Learn more at localworksglobal.org.
Role Overview
The Policy & Research Intern will support LWG’s policy, research, and thought leadership work related to foreign assistance reform, locally led development policy, and the systems and institutions that govern how development is done. This is a founding-stage role. You will be part of the core team, which includes former senior USAID staff, do substantive policy research, and take real ownership of work that informs how LWG engages on foreign assistance reform. Because LWG is pre-revenue, this role is unpaid. What we offer instead is proximity, responsibility, and a front-row view of building something new. By the end of the internship, you will have contributed to at least one published thought-leadership product. LWG is a small, collaborative team, and the intern will work alongside staff and other interns whose responsibilities overlap and complement this role.
Key Responsibilities
1. Policy Research & Analysis (Primary Focus)
- Research questions related to locally led development, foreign assistance architecture, and the policy environment shaping international development.
- Track relevant policy developments, publications, and consultation processes from governments, multilateral bodies, philanthropies, research institutions, think tanks, and other development stakeholders.
- Compile evidence and source material to support LWG’s writing, and maintain organized research files and citations.
- Identify emerging issues relevant to LWG’s network and policy priorities.
2. Network Consultation
- Support processes that gather input from LWG network members on policy papers and global discussions, and synthesize their perspectives into clear, structured summaries.
- Help ensure that practitioner and community perspectives are meaningfully reflected in LWG’s policy work.
3. Writing & Briefing Support
- Draft and edit sections of policy papers, articles, blogs, thought leadership pieces, briefing materials, and short background memos on specific policy questions or positions.
- Help translate complex institutional and regulatory material into accessible, well-organized written products.
- Fact-check names, dates, figures, quotations, claims, and citations before materials are circulated or published.
Qualifications & Competencies
- Passion and commitment to equality, equity, and community empowerment.
- Strong research, analytical, and evidence-synthesis skills, with attention to accuracy, sourcing, and citation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required, with the ability to summarize complex policy and institutional information clearly and concisely.
- Interest in locally led development, foreign assistance reform, governance, international development, development finance, or related policy fields.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and virtual meeting platforms; familiarity with AI productivity tools is an asset.
- Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and to handle internal information with discretion.
- Must be a self-starter who is comfortable working independently while receiving regular guidance, mentorship, and feedback from the Local Works Global team.
What You Will Gain
- Hands-on experience supporting the policy and thought-leadership work of an organization advancing locally led development.
- Dedicated mentorship from an experienced professional in your area of interest.
- Practical experience in policy research, evidence synthesis, and briefing.
- Exposure to foreign assistance reform debates, donor engagement, and network consultation.
- A certificate of completion of the LWG internship program and a letter of recommendation upon successful completion.
How to Apply
To apply, send a resume/CV and a short cover letter explaining why this role interests you to internships@localworksglobal.org. Please apply by 11:59 PM your time on October 5, 2026. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and locations. If you are excited about this work but unsure whether you meet every qualification, we still encourage you to reach out.