The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is inviting applications for a Graduate Internship in People and Culture in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The temporary, on-site internship offers an opportunity for a recent graduate to gain practical experience supporting a senior leadership team within an international agricultural research organisation.
The intern will provide administrative, operational, communication and coordination support to the Director and leadership team of the Directorate. The opportunity is particularly relevant to graduates interested in human resources, administration, organisational psychology, business management and related fields.
The internship is based at IITA’s Ibadan location and requires the successful candidate to work on-site.
IITA Graduate Internship 2026
IITA is an international agricultural research organisation working on solutions to challenges affecting agriculture, food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability. As part of its People and Culture function, the organisation is seeking a graduate intern who can contribute to administrative and coordination activities while gaining exposure to a professional institutional environment.
The successful intern will report directly to the Director, People and Culture and will work closely with other units and team members within the Directorate.
The position provides an opportunity to develop practical workplace skills involving executive support, scheduling, communication, stakeholder engagement and coordination.
Responsibilities of the Graduate Intern
The Graduate Intern will support the Director and leadership team with a range of administrative and operational activities.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Providing administrative support to the Director and leadership team.
- Supporting the coordination of meetings and related activities.
- Assisting with executive schedules and appointments.
- Supporting reporting and documentation requirements.
- Helping coordinate stakeholder engagements.
- Communicating and coordinating with relevant teams within the Directorate.
- Managing multiple activities, priorities and deadlines.
- Providing general operational and coordination assistance as required.
The role is suited to candidates who can work in an organised manner, communicate effectively and manage several responsibilities at the same time.
Educational Requirements
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Eligible academic backgrounds include:
- Human Resources Management
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Social Sciences
- Organisational Psychology
- A related discipline
Candidates should demonstrate how their academic background relates to the administrative, people-management and coordination responsibilities of the internship.
Experience and Skills
Although the opportunity is designed as a graduate internship, applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant practical experience.
The requirements include proven experience managing executive schedules, meetings, reporting and stakeholder engagements.
Applicants should also have demonstrated experience coordinating multiple activities, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
These requirements indicate that candidates should be able to demonstrate strong organisational and time-management abilities. Experience gained through previous internships, graduate roles, university projects, volunteer activities or administrative positions may help candidates explain their suitability where it aligns with the stated requirements.
Strong communication and coordination abilities are also important because the intern will work directly with the Director and interact with other units and team members.
Location and Work Arrangement
The IITA Graduate Internship is an on-site, temporary internship based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The successful candidate will work within the People and Culture Directorate and collaborate with colleagues across the organisation.
Because the role involves direct administrative and coordination support to the Director and leadership team, applicants should be prepared for an on-site working arrangement in Ibadan.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is particularly relevant to graduates seeking to build careers in:
- Human resources management
- People and culture
- Business administration
- Public administration
- Organisational psychology
- Corporate administration
- Executive support
- Stakeholder coordination
- Operations and programme support
Candidates should ensure that their qualifications and experience are clearly presented in their application and demonstrate direct relevance to the responsibilities outlined by IITA.
Why Consider the IITA Graduate Internship?
The internship offers exposure to the operational side of a People and Culture function within an international research organisation.
By supporting the Director and leadership team, the successful intern can gain practical experience in areas such as executive coordination, meeting management, reporting, stakeholder engagement and organisational communication.
The position may therefore be useful for graduates looking to strengthen their professional profile before pursuing longer-term careers in human resources, administration, organisational development or related fields.
How to Apply for the IITA Graduate Internship
Interested candidates should review the official IITA vacancy and submit their application through the organisation’s recruitment platform.
Applicants should ensure that their educational qualifications and relevant experience are accurately presented. Particular attention should be given to experience involving executive schedules, meetings, reporting, stakeholder engagements and coordination of multiple priorities.
The vacancy is listed as Graduate Internship (People and Culture) and carries the reference/application identifier 7C8EAA2E08 on IITA’s recruitment platform.
Application Deadline
The vacancy information provided does not state a specific application closing date. Candidates interested in the Graduate Internship in People and Culture should therefore check the official IITA recruitment page for the current application status and any deadline information before submitting an application.
The position is based in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria, and applicants should be prepared for the stated on-site arrangement.
Graduate candidates with relevant qualifications in human resources, business administration, public administration, social sciences, organisational psychology or related disciplines can use this opportunity to gain practical experience supporting a senior People and Culture leadership function.
