Intern, Global Networks Summer 2026
We are recruiting a UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Alumni or currently enrolled Scholar as an intern who will primarily support Global Networks, with research analysis, event support, and monitoring and evaluation.
Location: The internship will be hybrid based at UC Berkeley. We will also consider fully-remote candidates.
Duration: Approximately June 22 – August 28, 2026
Hours: Approximately 20 hours a week
Application deadline: June 7, 2026. Interviews will be conducted between June 8 – June 12, 2026
About CEGA
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that decision-makers can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our best-in-class academic network includes nearly 200 faculty, 80 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—primarily from East and West Africa—and hundreds of graduate students from diverse academic disciplines who produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our business model involves curating policy-relevant research agendas in collaboration with development leaders, overseeing competitive grant-making to answer critical questions, investing in research capacity, and strategically connecting research and ideas to inform decision-making by governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
CEGA’s Global Networks initiative invests in LMIC scholars to build their networks, grow in their careers, and generate policy-relevant research for their home countries and regions. Through semester-long fellowships, scholars audit development economics coursework, present at seminars, receive research funding, work with mentors, and network with faculty and students across the CEGA ecosystem. In addition, the Global Networks team organizes conferences to disseminate locally-generated research, funds collaborative research, connects fellows with policymakers and other partners, and hosts events for LMIC scholars to deliver and receive feedback on working papers. Global Networks is also taking an active role in understanding and shaping inclusion in the evidence ecosystem through the Collaboration for Inclusive Development Research.
Position Detail
We are recruiting a Mastercard Foundation Alumni from UC Berkeley or currently enrolled Mastercard Foundation Scholar at UC Berkeley as an intern who will primarily support Global Networks, with research analysis, event support, and monitoring and evaluation.
This is an opportunity for a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumni from UC Berkeley, to work part-time, at approximately 20 hours per week, from June 22 through August 28, 2026. Preference will be given to Alumni of the Mastercard Scholars Program, though current Scholars are also encouraged to apply.
The internship will be hybrid. We will also consider fully-remote candidates
Responsibilities
- Research Analysis and Dissemination
- Support CEGA studies with qualitative and quantitative analyses as well as results dissemination efforts.
- Event Support
- Support event logistics for the 2026 Africa Evidence Summit. This may involve organizing event materials, drafting briefing documents, supporting event communications, and providing other ad-hoc support as needed.
- Note: we have funding to sponsor this intern’s travel to Addis Ababa for the event from July 20-26, 2026
- Present a poster on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program at the Summit to generate more interest from potential applicants to UC Berkeley.
- Support event logistics for the 2026 Africa Evidence Summit. This may involve organizing event materials, drafting briefing documents, supporting event communications, and providing other ad-hoc support as needed.
- Communications
- Support Global Networks communications by researching CEGA’s policy impacts and maintaining Global Network webpages with updates from grantees.
- Engage with African researchers, policymakers, and CEGA Fellows through Summit sessions, side meetings, and other CEGA networking events to build professional networks and career exposure.
- Author a blog post or impact story on the CEGA website reflecting on the internship experience.
- Knowledge Management
- Tracking and uploading event data and research grantee reports into Salesforce.
- Support CEGA’s internal policy working group, as needed.
Essential Qualifications
- Mastercard Foundation Scholar or Alumni.
- Preference will be given to candidates with background in global development, social science, public policy, or related fields.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong ability to anticipate, plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Alignment with CEGA’s values, including Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with event planning, social media, communications, and design.
- Experience working in Salesforce, WordPress and Mailchimp.
- Experience working with cross-functional and multicultural teams.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Commitment to scientific, evidence-led international development policy and capacity building in LMICs.
- A positive attitude and eagerness to learn.
Compensation
While this position is not paid on an hourly basis, support will be paid in in-kind work, including attendance to the Africa Evidence Summit and pilot grant funding.
How to Apply
Please email Namita Karnik <namita_karnik@berkeley.edu> with a CV and Cover Letter by June 7, 2026 to be considered in our review. Interviews will be conducted between June 8 – June 12, 2026.
