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

Are you looking to join an organisation that is growing and dynamic? What about a high-energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work? 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;
• potential opportunities for growth within a world-leading consultancy.

Job Responsibilities

The intern will support colleagues in conducting our existing work across Africa, expanding our networks, and increasing the volume of business we conduct on the continent. Duties will include, but not be limited to:

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing, or recently graduated with, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant social science or humanities subject. Such subjects could include, but are not limited to: African Studies, International Relations, International Development, Politics, Political Economy, and 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 in 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.

Additional Information

Some of the Benefits We Have Include:

• J.S. Held understands all our employees are people and sometimes life needs flexibility. We work to always provide an environment that best supports and suits our team’s needs.
• Our flexible work environment allows employees to work remotely, when needed.
• A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is £14.80 per hour. Any offered salary range is based on a wide array of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, training, location, scope of role, management responsibility, etc.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein.

EEO and Job Accommodations

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.