Intern - Strategy & Risk Advisory - Summer 2026 - 10,000 Interns Foundation in London

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? What about a high‑energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work? J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high‑stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear‑cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets.

The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. Within J.S. Held, you would be a member of the Strategy & Risk Advisory, Africa unit. The Africa desk provides strategic business intelligence, political risk, and government relations support to a range of international blue‑chip clients. The dedicated Africa desk has a 28‑year history of supporting many of the most significant foreign investors operating in Africa, while also helping governments on the continent to attract trade and investment.

The Strategy & Risk Advisory, Africa unit is looking for an outstanding candidate to join our team to contribute to client projects and support the company’s growth. The selected candidate will benefit from a highly rewarding work environment; an exponential learning curve; exposure to different business sectors in a variety of African jurisdictions; access to the Africa desk’s excellent networks across Africa, and the international public and private sector communities; and potential opportunities for growth within a world‑leading consultancy.

• Assist colleagues in monitoring and conducting research on political/economic/business/ESG trends, risks, and developments in key African jurisdictions;
• Contribute to the writing of briefings and reports, as well as to client presentations;
• Conduct research as part of due diligence and reputational investigations;
• Contribute to specialist political analysis of particular regions;
• Assist in the identification of potentially fruitful government, private sector and other stakeholder relationships across Africa;
• Assist in the identification of potential new business opportunities for Strategy & Risk Advisory;
• Support senior leadership on special projects and ad‑hoc assignments.

• Currently pursuing, or recently graduated with, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant social science or humanities subject (e.g., African Studies, International Relations, International Development, Politics, Political Economy, History);
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills;
• A passion for the business‑politics nexus in Africa and its implications for international investors;
• A good understanding of business and politics in Africa and in particular African countries;
• An interest in environmental, social and governance factors within business on the continent;
• Previous practical exposure to Africa through experiences of living and/or working on the continent;
• Strong organisational skills and an interest in working in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• An interest in developing client skills and an intuition for how Strategic Advisory, Africa can be relevant to different clients and best fulfil their needs;
• Language skills beyond English are an added advantage, namely French, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili, Lingala, Luganda, Amharic, Hausa, Xhosa, Twi, Igbo or Yoruba.

• Flexible work environment allowing employees to work remotely when needed;
• Estimated salary range: £14.80 per hour, subject to individual factors;
• Opportunities for professional growth within a world‑leading consultancy;
• Access to Africa desk’s extensive network and international public/private sector community;
• Exposure to a variety of business sectors across African jurisdictions.

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal! J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.