Graduate Internship Programme

Graduate Internship Programme 

The Commonwealth Foundation is recruiting for its Graduate Internship Programme. We are seeking four Interns for six-month placements across different areas of the Foundation.  

To be considered, all applicants must have an existing right to work in the United Kingdom and must be able to provide evidence of that right in their application. 

Who we are 

The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation established by Member States in support of the belief that the Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of governments. We are the Commonwealth agency for civil society; an organisation dedicated to strengthening people’s participation in all aspects of public dialogue, so they can act together and learn from each other to build democratic societies. 

Our vision is of a Commonwealth of equal, just and inclusive societies. Our mission is to contribute to that vision by: 

• Supporting the active and constructive participation of Commonwealth citizens in all aspects of their governance 

• Nurturing the growth of vibrant and free civil societies in all Commonwealth countries 

• Advancing the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth 

We work in accordance with our values to advance the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.

The role 

Our Graduate Internship Programme provides opportunities for recent graduates to participate in all aspects of the Commonwealth Foundation and gain experience, strengthen their knowledge and develop their skills. 

We maintain a team of interns who are recruited together for a six-month period, which may be extended to a maximum of 12 months depending on performance and the needs of the Foundation. Our interns are fully integrated into the Foundation’s staff structure, and we pay close attention to their professional development. 

The successful candidates will be allocated to one of the following areas of our work: 

• Commonwealth Civil Society (home of our major grants work) 

• Advocacy & Creative Programme (home of our cultural initiatives including adda and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, outreach, advocacy, the Critical Conversations events series, and delivery of the Commonwealth People’s Forum)  

• Communications (working across the Foundation as part of the Knowledge, Learning & Communications team) 

Responsibilities are tailored to the needs of each team and the intern’s own areas of skill and interest. For more information on our programmes and our work, see our current Strategic Plan, available on our website. 

Although interns will be based in one of the above programmes, we are a small team, and so interns may have the opportunity to experience other areas of the Foundation’s work and to also collaborate with their fellow interns on specific projects. 

Our responsibility to Interns 

We prioritise the professional development of our interns, encouraging participation in both internal and external learning opportunities and experience across programme areas to broaden knowledge and skills. 

We include our interns in all our activities including strategic and work planning and staff events, and endeavour to ensure that everyone feels nurtured and valued. 

Who we are looking for 

The Foundation strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place to work. We aim to ensure that the Graduate Internship programme is as accessible as possible to people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.   

You will have excellent research and administrative skills and ideally have a good knowledge of, or interest in, at least one area of our work: freedom of expression, climate justice or health justice.  Experience using technology is important, and knowledge of Microsoft Office and online platforms is required. 

We are looking for people who are curious and willing to learn and who will actively promote the values and principles of the Commonwealth and the Foundation. 

You must possess and declare at the time of application the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship. The Foundation cannot assist in altering the visa status of any applicant. 

What we offer 

We offer interns a salary of £2,100 per month (equivalent to £25,200 per annum) for a six-month fixed term internship contract.  Annual leave is calculated at 30 days per year (pro-rata) inclusive of public holidays and the Foundation’s own designated leave days. 

We are currently operating a flexible working policy which requires all staff including interns to work from our central London office at least five days per fortnight including every Wednesday. Applicants must be able to affirm their capacity and willingness to work within our policy. 

There is no expectation of a role with the Foundation at the end of the internship, although interns are welcome to apply for any roles advertised externally. 

Our commitment 

The Commonwealth Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that the diverse voices of the Commonwealth are fully represented in our workforce, driving innovation, creativity, and meaningful impact in all that we do. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive world. 

If you need us to make any special accommodation in the recruitment and selection process because of a protected characteristic, please let us know. 

The process 

Applications should be submitted online via our website, please also refer to the downloadable role description available on the website. 

Please note, the application requires you to provide evidence of your existing right to work in the UK, and the Intern must have existing right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship in order to apply for this position. The Foundation cannot assist in altering the visa status of any applicant. 

Closing date: 

The closing date for applications is Monday, 14 April 2025, 1pm BST. However, we will monitor the number of applications received and reserve the right to close the application window early or extend the closing date as necessary. We recommend submitting applications as early as possible.  

Interviews dates:

Please note updated information: 12, 13, 14 May 2025, in person (to be confirmed)

Internship start date: 

Monday 30 June 2025  

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 

Monday 14 April 2025, 1.00pm BST  
 
(We may stop accepting applications shortly before this date, depending on the volume of applications received.)