Graduate Associate - Rwanda

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

The Graduate Associate Internship is TBI Rwanda's Young Professional Program, a structured entry point for outstanding recent graduates to launch a career in government advisory and public sector delivery. Graduate Associates are embedded within project teams, contributing to real-time research, analysis, and delivery work that supports the Government of Rwanda on its most critical development priorities.

This is first and foremost a mindset hire. We are looking for individuals who demonstrate a genuine willingness to learn, a fast-learning curve, and a can-do attitude. People who lean into ambiguity, take ownership of tasks quickly, and grow visibly over the course of the internship. Prior technical experience is welcomed but secondary to demonstrated intellectual curiosity, drive, and coachability. Graduate Associates receive structured mentoring, hands-on coaching, and direct exposure to high-impact government reform work as they build their professional foundation.

The position is full-time, for Rwandan Nationals only, with a duration of 12 months, based in Kigali, Rwanda, and starts as soon as possible upon identification of a suitable candidate.

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, to inform project deliverables and decision-making

• Collect, clean, and organise data from government and other sources; carry out basic analysis such as trend identification, comparisons, and benchmarking

• Support the development of simple tools, trackers, and models to monitor project indicators and progress

• Assist in preparing high-quality presentations, reports, briefing notes, and dashboards for government counterparts

• Help consolidate lessons learned and success stories for knowledge-sharing within the team and across the Institute

• Support planning, scheduling, and coordination of activities across project workstreams and the Country Office

• Assist in tracking action items, deadlines, and follow-ups, and in monitoring progress against implementation plans and delivery routines (e.g. stocktakes, progress reviews)

• Support the organisation of meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements, including logistics, note-taking, and follow-up

• Contribute to periodic updates and reporting on project and Country Office performance, indicators, and outcomes

• Actively seek feedback and apply coaching to improve quickly, treating each task as an opportunity to build knowledge of government advisory and delivery work

Candidate Profile

• Recent graduate (within the last 12 months) or final-year student in Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, International Development, Engineering, or a related field

• Strong academic performance and a demonstrated interest in public service, consulting, policy, or international development

• No prior professional experience required; prior internship, research, or project experience is an added advantage but not a prerequisite

• Basic confidence using Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, with strong organisation and attention to detail

• Rwandan National, based in or able to relocate to Kigali

Capabilities and Ways of Working

Learning Agility

• A genuine willingness to learn, with a fast-learning curve and intellectual curiosity that picks up new tools, concepts, and ways of working quickly

• Treats every task as a learning opportunity and applies feedback to improve

Ownership & Drive

• A can-do attitude: proactive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented even when faced with ambiguity

• Takes initiative on assigned tasks, follows through reliably, and flags issues early

Collaboration & Humility

• Works well within a team, valuing others' input and expertise

• Humility and coachability: open to feedback and adjusts quickly

Comfort with Ambiguity

• Stays composed and resourceful in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Asks good questions rather than waiting for full clarity

Development Opportunities

• Exposure to high-level government delivery work

• On-the-job coaching from experienced advisors and analysts

• A structured feedback and mentorship process

• Participation in TBI Rwanda team learning sessions

What Success Looks Like (End of Internship)

• Has visibly grown in confidence, capability, and independence since starting the role

• Delivers accurate, well-organised research, analysis, and materials with decreasing need for close supervision

• Is seen by the team as a reliable, proactive contributor who takes ownership of assigned tasks

• Has built foundational knowledge of government advisory and public sector delivery, with a clear sense of career direction going forward

Closing Date: