Administrative Assistant Intern
This is an internship opportunity with SNV, a global development organisation working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. The successful candidate will join the Nigeria country programme in Abuja as an Administrative Assistant Intern for a 12-month learning placement.
The role is designed for NYSC members deployed to Abuja or recent graduates with up to two years of post-NYSC experience who want to build practical skills in office administration, programme support and stakeholder coordination within an international development setting. The intern will work under the Operations Officer and collaborate with programme managers, advisors and project teams.
Administrative Assistant Intern
Hiring: SNV
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Salary: Not specified
Deadline: September 17, 2026
Schedule: Full-time
Type: Internship, 12 months
Description
SNV is a global development partner deeply rooted in the countries where it operates. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy and water systems.
SNV helps strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, SNV supports partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.
The core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who SNV is and what it does. This is reflected in the vision, mission and strategy, which set out aspirations and commitments as a compass towards 2030. SNV Nigeria is seeking to recruit an Administrative Assistant for Internship or National Youth Service Corps for its Country Programme to provide day-to-day key administrative and programme support.
The officer will be responsible for supporting general administration, operational activities and project teams. In this role, the intern will gain practical experience in administration, general operations, stakeholder coordination and programme implementation within an international development organisation. The intern will be based in Abuja and work with the Operations Officer and Country Programme team, including Programme Managers, Advisors and project teams across SNV Nigeria's portfolio, contributing to a range of initiatives that strengthen SNV's objectives and visibility.
The intern will report to the Operations Officer and will take on a mix of recurring administrative tasks within dynamic programmes. Each week will offer opportunities to learn, co-create and contribute in meaningful ways. To succeed in this role, candidates should bring a flexible and proactive mindset, a collaborative spirit and a genuine passion for the mission to advance sustainable and equitable development, making impact that matters.
Benefits:
1. Learn programme implementation within international development.
2. Build expertise in general office operations.
3. Strengthen capabilities in coordinating, organising meetings and events.
4. Receive mentorship from professionals in a team environment.
5. Develop proficiency in team building and stakeholder collaboration.
6. Contribute to work that makes a difference.
Responsibilities:
1. Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Country office and project teams.
2. Prepare meeting logistics, attendance sheets, agendas and minutes.
3. Support travel arrangements, hotel bookings and related logistics for staff, consultants and project participants.
4. Maintain organised electronic and physical filing systems in line with SNV procedures for country programme and projects, including data management and filing.
5. Support the preparation, processing and tracking of administrative forms and requests.
6. Provide any other administrative support as required by the office program.
7. Support Program and Project team with meetings, workshops and related events.
8. Assist with collecting and organising programme data and maintaining comprehensive data on the various projects partners and clients.
9. Assist with preparing project-related documents, presentations, trackers and reports.
10. Support the preparation of project documentation for internal review and reporting.
Requirements:
1. Bachelor's degree or HND in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Management, Public Administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related field.
2. NYSC member with valid deployment to Abuja and graduates with a maximum of 1-2 year of post-NYSC work experience.
3. Previous administrative, operational, project or office-support experience is an advantage but not essential.
4. Strong organisational and administrative skills.
5. Good attention to detail and accuracy.
6. Good written and verbal communication skills.
7. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
8. Strong follow-up and coordination skills.
9. Good interpersonal and teamwork skills.
10. Ability to work effectively with colleagues across different projects.
11. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
12. Willingness to learn and work within established policies and procedures.
13. High level of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
Required skills
· Strong organisational and administrative skills
· Good attention to detail and accuracy
· Good written and verbal communication skills
· Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
· Strong follow-up and coordination skills
· Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
· Ability to work effectively with colleagues across different projects
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
· Willingness to learn and work within established policies and procedures
· High level of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism
How To Apply
If credentials meet the outlined profile and you feel inspired by this opportunity, you are invited to apply by uploading your CV and motivation letter in English on Smart Recruiters. The deadline is September 17, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If this role is not the right fit but you are interested in joining SNV in the future, you are invited to follow SNV on LinkedIn and the career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile. This opportunity is applicable to Nigeria Nationals only. The expected start date is October 1, 2026.
Why Apply
This internship offers a rare entry point into the operations side of an international development organisation with six decades of experience and a presence in more than 20 countries. Rather than performing only routine office tasks, the intern sits within the Country Programme team and works directly with Programme Managers, Advisors and project teams, which means exposure to how development projects are actually planned, documented and coordinated.
The structured mentorship from the Operations Officer and experienced colleagues is a strong foundation for anyone considering a career in development, NGO operations or programme management. The 12-month duration is long enough to build genuine competence rather than just observing. The role also carries a clear social impact dimension, since SNV's work focuses on agri-food, energy, water, gender equality and climate resilience. For a fresh graduate or NYSC member in Abuja, this is a credible way to convert academic knowledge into practical, CV-ready experience.
Before You Apply
Since this is a learning placement and not employment, be clear in your motivation letter about what you want to learn and how the internship fits your career direction. The advert stresses a flexible and proactive mindset, so avoid sounding passive. Give concrete examples of times you organised something, managed a schedule, handled records or supported a team, even from school projects, volunteer work or NYSC activities. Because the role involves filing systems, data management, minutes and trackers, demonstrate familiarity with Word, Excel and PowerPoint rather than just listing them. Attention to detail matters in this job, so proofread your CV and motivation letter carefully before submitting.
Confirm that your NYSC deployment is valid for Abuja or that your post-NYSC experience falls within the one to two year window, since this is a strict eligibility condition. Note that the role is open to Nigeria nationals only and that reference and background checks, including a Statement of Conduct under the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, form part of the process, so be prepared to provide two referees and accurate employment history. Submit your application on Smart Recruiters well before the September 17, 2026 deadline, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and the expected start date is October 1, 2026.
