The World Food Programme is accepting applications for its six-month VAM Internship in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Candidates in data science, economics, statistics and related fields can apply by 28 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting applications for its Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Internship in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This six-month opportunity is designed for university students and recent graduates interested in food security, data analysis, humanitarian research and development.
The internship falls under WFP Sierra Leone’s Monitoring and Evaluation function. Interns will support research, assessment and monitoring activities that help inform food security programmes, market analysis and humanitarian decision-making.
Participants will gain practical experience working with data, preparing analytical reports, developing visualisations and supporting assessments that identify food security challenges and vulnerable populations.
The internship is open only to Sierra Leonean nationals, and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 28 October 2026.
Programme Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | World Food Programme (WFP) |
| Opportunity | VAM Internship |
| Duty station | Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Department | Monitoring and Evaluation |
| Contract type | Internship |
| Duration | Six months |
| Work arrangement | Full-time, on-site |
| Eligible applicants | Sierra Leonean nationals only |
| Fields of study | Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Food Security, Geography/GIS and related disciplines |
| Application deadline | 28 October 2026, 23:59 Freetown time |
| Salary or stipend | Not specified in the supplied announcement |
| Official website | World Food Programme |
Tasks and Internship Benefits
The intern will work under the supervision of the Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping Officer, supporting the collection, management, analysis and communication of food security and vulnerability information.
Responsibilities include assisting with food security assessments, surveys and market monitoring; developing data collection tools; cleaning and validating datasets; and maintaining databases.
The intern may also analyse information relating to livelihoods, vulnerability and food markets. Other duties include preparing tables, charts, maps, dashboards, reports and analytical briefs, reviewing secondary data, assisting with GIS mapping, and supporting workshops and training activities.
Learning Opportunities
The internship provides exposure to several areas of humanitarian research and data analysis, including:
- Food security and vulnerability assessments.
- Market monitoring and analysis.
- Survey design and digital data collection.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis.
- Data visualisation and dashboard development.
- Humanitarian needs assessments and evidence-based programming.
The experience may be particularly relevant to candidates interested in humanitarian data, monitoring and evaluation, food security research or international development.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a recognised university programme in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
- Statistics
- Economics or Agricultural Economics
- Food Security or Nutrition
- Data Science
- Geography or Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Development Studies
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Social Sciences
Previous professional experience is not required. However, experience gained through academic research, university projects, internships or practical data analysis is desirable.
Familiarity with tools such as Excel, Tableau, R, SPSS, Stata, GIS applications or survey platforms may strengthen an application.
Candidates should demonstrate attention to detail, a commitment to data quality, effective communication and organisational skills, initiative, problem-solving ability and the capacity to work in a multicultural team.
Important eligibility restriction: This vacancy is open only to Sierra Leonean nationals. Applicants of other nationalities are not eligible under the stated recruitment conditions. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Additional Information
The application deadline is 28 October 2026 at 23:59 Freetown time. The internship lasts six months and is based full-time in Freetown.
How to apply: Visit the official WFP careers website and locate the vacancy titled Intern-VAM, requisition ID JR127613. Complete your application through WFP’s online recruitment system.
The vacancy announcement specifies that the required application documents are a CV and cover letter. Applications sent by email, LinkedIn or other channels are not accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WFP does not charge application, interview, processing or recruitment fees. Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in connection with the recruitment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the WFP VAM Internship?
It is a six-month internship supporting vulnerability analysis, food security assessments, market monitoring and data-driven humanitarian programming in Sierra Leone.
2. Where is the internship located?
The duty station is Freetown, Sierra Leone, and the position is advertised as full-time and on-site.
3. Who can apply for the WFP VAM Internship?
Applicants must be Sierra Leonean nationals and must be enrolled in or have recently graduated from a recognised university programme in an eligible or related field.
4. Is previous work experience required?
No. Previous professional experience is not required, although relevant academic projects, research, internships and practical analytical experience are desirable.
5. Which degree programmes are eligible?
Relevant fields include Statistics, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Food Security, Nutrition, Data Science, Geography/GIS, Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Social Sciences.
6. What technical skills are useful?
Experience with Excel, Tableau, R, SPSS, Stata, GIS applications, survey tools and data analysis may be beneficial.
7. How long does the internship last?
The internship has a duration of six months.
8. When is the application deadline?
Applications close on 28 October 2026 at 23:59 Freetown time.
9. What documents are required?
The announcement identifies a CV and cover letter as the required documents at the application stage. Further documentation may be requested later if necessary.
10. Is the internship paid?
The supplied vacancy announcement refers to WFP’s compensation terms but does not specify the internship’s salary or stipend amount. Applicants should consult the official vacancy for any applicable compensation details.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The WFP VAM Internship may be valuable for eligible Sierra Leonean students and recent graduates seeking practical experience in humanitarian data analysis, food security monitoring and development research. It offers exposure to analytical tools and evidence-based programming within a major international humanitarian organisation.
The nationality restriction is particularly important: only Sierra Leonean nationals may apply.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares career and education opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with WFP and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should verify the vacancy details and submit their applications through the official WFP recruitment system.
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