Internship - Strategy & Partnerships - 2026

Meridiam; Paris; Sur place; EUR 10 000 - 13 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Meridiam invites an intern to join the African Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP) in Paris. The role blends strategic research, concessional capital mapping, and international coordination to support infrastructure development and blended-finance strategies.

The intern will design databases, develop a knowledge-management tool, and assist with masterclasses, partnerships, and communications across diverse countries. Fluency in English is required, French is a plus.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Master’s degree in International Affairs, Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Political Science, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong interest in infrastructure, sustainable development and international finance.
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills; ability to turn complex information into concise outputs.
• Comfortable working with data and building structured databases or knowledge-management tools.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Proactive, rigorous, curious and able to work independently in an international environment.
• Fluency in English; French is a strong asset.

Responsabilités

• TURF - Concessional Capital Intelligence – 50%: monitor trends in infrastructure investment and finance; prepare briefings for senior management.
• Strategic Research & Analysis: research across infrastructure sectors; produce briefing notes and benchmark exercises.
• Concessional Capital Mapping & Decision-Support Tool: design and maintain a mapping tool for funding sources with filters and contacts.
• AIFP Communication, Partnerships & Programme Coordination – 50%: develop the communication plan, content creation for website and newsletters; coordinate masterclasses and regional events.
• Partnerships & International Relations: support outreach to public institutions, private firms and development partners.

Connaissances

Research skills

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Data handling

Knowledge management

English fluency

French advantageous

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Formation

Master’s degree or current

Description du poste

Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities.

Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation and an asset manager. The firm specializes in the development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable public infrastructure in three core sectors - sustainable mobility, critical public services and innovative low carbon solutions - and invests in sustainable SMEs in Europe. With offices in Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Libreville, Luxembourg, Paris, Vienna and Washington, Meridiam manages over EUR23 billion and more than 130 projects to date.

Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 37001 Anti-Corruption certification by AFNOR and applies a unique methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Present across Africa through its offices in Addis Ababa, Dakar, Johannesburg and Libreville, Meridiam is also committed to developing the talent the continent's infrastructure needs. In this spirit, Thierry Déau co-founded the African Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP), a pan-African programme dedicatedto strengthening the skills and networks of professionals working on infrastructure development and financing in Africa. Through its Masterclasses, regional Bootcamps, professional immersions and Alumni network, AIFP brings together professionals from the public and private sectors, international financial institutions, development partners and leading academic institutions. With a growing network of more than 100 Alumni across Africa, AIFP is expanding its activities, partnerships and communication.

Key responsibilities

1. TURF - Concessional Capital Intelligence – 50%

Strategic Research & Analysis

• Monitor trends in infrastructure investment, climate finance, development finance and blended finance.
• Conduct strategic research across infrastructure sectors, including energy, transport, water, digital infrastructure, climate adaptation and social infrastructure.
• Prepare concise briefing notes, strategic analyses and presentations for senior management.
• Support internal reports, strategy papers, thought-leadership content and benchmarking exercises.

• Contribute to the preparation of materials for conferences, partnerships and high-level meetings.

Concessional Capital Mapping & Decision-Support Tool

A major component of the internship will be to design, build and maintain a structured mapping of concessional and catalytic capital sources relevant, in particular to TURF projects. The tool should enable teams to identify suitable financing sources based on:

• Region and country;
• Sector and sub-sector;
• Project size and indicative ticket size;
• Project stage, including preparation, development, construction and operation;
• Instrument type, such as grants, technical assistance, guarantees, first-loss capital, subordinated debt, results-based finance and other blended-finance instruments;
• Eligibility criteria, application windows and relevant contacts;
• Funding provider, target beneficiaries and strategic priorities.

2. AIFP Communication, Partnerships & Programme Coordination – 50%

Communication & Community

• Develop and implement AIFP's communication plan across its website, LinkedIn and newsletters.
• Produce content (articles, Alumni portraits, event highlights, visuals) promoting AIFP's activities and impact.

International Programme Coordination

• Support the organisation of Masterclasses, regional Bootcamps and professional immersions, from planning and logistics to participant follow-up. Coordinate with speakers, academic institutions and partner organisations across several countries.

Partnerships & International Relations

• Support partner outreach and fundraising efforts with public institutions, private companies, international financial institutions and development partners.

The intern will help establish a practical database and user-friendly tool, develop a process for keeping the information current, identify funding gaps and opportunities, and support the formulation of concessional and blended-finance strategies for priority projects and funds.

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Master’s degree in International Affairs, Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Political Science, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong interest in infrastructure, sustainable development, African development and international finance.
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to turn complex information into concise and practical outputs.
• Comfortable working with data and building structured databases or knowledge-management tools.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Proactive, rigorous, curious and able to work independently in an international and multicultural environment.
• Fluency in English; French is a strong asset.

Starting date : As soon as possible