The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is inviting qualified candidates to apply for its Procurement Intern position in Accra, Ghana. The opportunity provides professional exposure to procurement operations within a Pan-African economic policy organisation and involves supporting procurement activities across institutional and donor-funded projects.

The position is based in Accra and is expected to run from the time of appointment through 31 December 2026. ACET is seeking a candidate with a relevant Bachelor’s degree and practical procurement experience who can support purchasing, tendering, supplier management, contract administration, procurement planning, compliance, record keeping, and stakeholder coordination.

ACET Procurement Intern Opportunity 2026

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is a Pan-African economic policy institute focused on supporting Africa’s long-term economic growth through transformation.

The organisation works directly with African governments, businesses, and civil society across countries and borders to help remove policy barriers to sustainable and inclusive development.

ACET is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, while maintaining a diverse workforce across several continents. The organisation describes itself as African-led and globally connected, drawing on the expertise of its staff and partners to conduct research, provide policy advice, and amplify Africa’s voice through events, advocacy, and engagement.

The Procurement Intern will join ACET’s procurement function and work under the supervision of the Procurement Specialist.

Position Details

The position is specifically designed to support ACET’s procurement function across institutional and donor-funded activities.

What Does the ACET Procurement Intern Do?

The Procurement Intern will support the day-to-day delivery of procurement activities.

Working under the Procurement Specialist, the successful candidate will coordinate assigned procurement processes, maintain procurement records and systems, support tendering and evaluation, assist with contract administration, and ensure procurement activities comply with ACET policies, applicable donor requirements, and established procedures.

The role requires strong organisation, attention to detail, integrity, responsiveness, and the ability to complete assigned procurement responsibilities within established procedures and delegated authority.

Procurement Operations and Support Responsibilities

A major part of the role will involve supporting routine procurement operations.

The Procurement Intern will be responsible for activities such as:

• Receiving and processing procurement requests.
• Confirming that required documentation is complete before procurement begins.
• Preparing purchase orders and work orders for goods and non-consulting services.
• Processing documents through the required approval channels.
• Coordinating supplier and bidder invitations.
• Receiving and maintaining the safe custody of bids and proposals.
• Maintaining procurement records.
• Supporting the identification and sourcing of qualified suppliers and service providers.
• Working with user departments to ensure procurement requirements and specifications are properly addressed.
• Preparing solicitation and tender documents using approved ACET templates.
• Monitoring procurement timelines.
• Following up with suppliers, user departments, and other stakeholders regarding outstanding actions.
• Providing internal requesters with timely updates about the progress of procurement activities.

These responsibilities mean that the successful candidate will need to be highly organised and comfortable working with documents, suppliers, internal departments, deadlines, and established procurement procedures.

Tendering, Evaluation and Award Support

The Procurement Intern will also support ACET’s tendering and evaluation processes.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating pre-bid or pre-proposal meetings where applicable.
• Supporting clarification processes.
• Assisting with bid or proposal opening sessions where applicable.
• Providing administrative and procedural support to evaluation panels.
• Preparing evaluation materials.
• Preparing minutes and other records required during evaluations.
• Checking evaluation documentation for completeness and consistency.
• Submitting relevant documentation to the Procurement Specialist for review.
• Preparing draft award and notification documents.
• Preparing notifications for successful and unsuccessful bidders as directed.

This part of the role provides exposure to the procurement cycle beyond purchasing, including tender preparation, evaluation administration, award documentation, and communication with bidders.

Contract Administration Responsibilities

Contract administration is another important component of the position.

The Procurement Intern will assist with:

• Preparing draft contracts.
• Preparing purchase orders and agreements.
• Using approved templates for procurement documentation.
• Maintaining and updating the contract register.
• Recording contract values.
• Tracking key contract dates.
• Monitoring deliverables and milestones.
• Recording renewal dates.
• Monitoring assigned contracts.
• Following up on supplier and consultant deliverables.
• Following up on routine performance issues.
• Preparing draft contract extensions, amendments, and variations for review.
• Supporting contract close-out.
• Ensuring that required documentation, deliverables, and acceptance records are completed.

This means candidates interested in developing experience in procurement and contract management could gain exposure to several stages of the contract lifecycle.

Procurement Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

The successful candidate will also support procurement planning and reporting activities.

This includes:

1. Supporting the Procurement Specialist in preparing and updating annual procurement plans.
2. Supporting project procurement plans.
3. Maintaining procurement trackers.
4. Monitoring assigned procurement activities.
5. Identifying procurement delays and outstanding actions.
6. Reporting delays promptly to the Procurement Specialist.
7. Assisting with procurement activity reports.
8. Supporting donor procurement reports.
9. Compiling documentation required for audits.
10. Organising records required for reviews and management reporting.

These duties require candidates to have strong record-keeping and organisational skills and the ability to monitor several activities at the same time.

Compliance, Integrity and Procurement Records

Procurement requires strict adherence to procedures, transparency, and accountability.

The Procurement Intern will therefore support compliance by:

• Ensuring assigned procurement activities follow ACET procedures.
• Ensuring applicable donor requirements are followed.
• Maintaining complete and auditable procurement files.
• Supporting screening of bidders, suppliers, and consultants against applicable sanctions and debarment lists before awards.
• Administering conflict-of-interest declarations for evaluation panel members.
• Maintaining relevant conflict-of-interest records.
• Maintaining supplier files and contract documentation.
• Following ACET’s record-retention requirements.
• Uploading and updating procurement documents on InSoft and applicable donor procurement or project-tracking systems.
• Promptly reporting suspected fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, conflicts of interest, or other procurement irregularities to the Procurement Specialist.

Integrity is therefore a particularly important aspect of the position.

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Stakeholder Support and Communication

The Procurement Intern will interact with internal departments as well as external suppliers and service providers.

The role includes:

• Providing professional procurement support to user departments.
• Supporting project teams.
• Assisting internal stakeholders.
• Providing procedural guidance under the direction of the Procurement Specialist.
• Reviewing draft Terms of Reference and specifications for completeness.
• Identifying gaps in procurement documentation.
• Communicating with bidders, suppliers, and consultants on routine procurement matters.
• Providing accurate information within authorised parameters.
• Supporting responses to procurement-related queries from internal and external stakeholders.

Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills will therefore be useful for applicants.

Other Procurement Duties

In addition to the core responsibilities, the Procurement Intern may also:

• Support basic market research.
• Help identify potential suppliers.
• Contribute information that can assist with procurement activities and cost estimates.
• Improve procurement records and templates.
• Contribute to procurement trackers.
• Support improvements to administrative processes.
• Provide procurement support to other organisational units during periods of increased workload.
• Perform other procurement-related duties assigned by the Procurement Specialist.

The position may therefore involve a combination of routine procurement administration, research, documentation, stakeholder communication, and process improvement.

ACET Procurement Intern Qualifications

ACET has specified both educational and professional experience requirements for the position.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas:

• Procurement and Supply Chain Management
• Business Administration
• Law
• Quantity Surveying
• A related discipline

A relevant professional or postgraduate qualification in procurement, supply chain management, business, law, or a related area will be an added advantage.

Professional Experience Requirements

Although the position is titled Procurement Intern, ACET’s terms of reference specify relevant professional experience requirements.

Candidates must meet one of the following three routes:

Route 1: Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Applicants may qualify with:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management; and
• At least two years of relevant procurement experience following the Bachelor’s degree.

Route 2: Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Discipline

Applicants may qualify with:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline; and
• At least three years of relevant procurement experience following the Bachelor’s degree.

Route 3: Master’s Degree

Applicants may qualify with:

• A Master’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; and
• At least one year of relevant procurement experience following the Master’s degree.

Applicants should carefully compare their qualifications and professional experience against these three routes before submitting an application.

Additional Experience That Would Be an Advantage

Experience in the following environments is listed as an advantage:

• Donor-funded projects
• Development organisations
• NGOs
• Similar environments

Experience working with procurement frameworks used by the World Bank, other multilateral development banks, bilateral donors, or comparable organisations is also an advantage.

Candidates with this type of experience may therefore be particularly well positioned for the role.

Skills and Abilities Required

ACET identifies five broad areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position:

• Procurement and contract administration
• Organisation and delivery
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Systems and digital skills
• Integrity and professionalism

These areas reflect the practical nature of the role.

A successful applicant should be able to manage procurement documentation carefully, communicate professionally with stakeholders, work with digital procurement systems, monitor activities and deadlines, and maintain high standards of integrity.

About ACET

The African Center for Economic Transformation is a Pan-African economic policy institute working to support long-term economic transformation in Africa.

ACET works with governments, businesses, and civil society to address policy barriers that affect sustainable and inclusive development.

The organisation is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, but has staff based across multiple continents. ACET describes itself as African-led and globally connected, using research, policy advice, events, advocacy, and engagement to contribute to economic transformation and improve livelihoods across Africa.

For more information about the organisation, CLICK HERE

ACET Values

The organisation operates around five core values:

Pioneering

ACET seeks to push boundaries in the spirit of being a “think and do” organisation.

Respect

The organisation believes that respecting one another helps people and the organisation grow.

Integrity

ACET emphasises transparency and accountability in its actions.

Collaboration

The organisation believes that its best results are achieved by working effectively together.

Excellence

ACET aspires to the highest level of critical thinking when addressing difficult problems.

Applicants should consider these values when preparing their applications, particularly their cover letters.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity at ACET

ACET states that it is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

The organisation says it has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment and draws from a diversified Pan-African and global talent base.

ACET also states that recruitment, remuneration, and employee development are based on skills and suitability for the work performed.

Procurement Intern Application Deadline

The application deadline for the ACET Procurement Intern position is:

11 September 2026

The organisation states that applications must be received by 11 September 2026.

Because the deadline is close, interested applicants should prepare their application documents as soon as possible.

How to Apply for the ACET Procurement Intern Position

Interested candidates are required to submit:

1. A CV
2. A Cover Letter

The cover letter should explain why the applicant is the most suitable candidate for the Procurement Intern position.

Applications should be submitted through the application link provided by ACET.

Application portal: Apply for the ACET Procurement Intern position

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should ensure that their CV clearly demonstrates the experience that ACET is seeking.

Relevant areas to highlight include:

• Procurement experience
• Supply chain management
• Tendering and evaluation
• Supplier sourcing
• Contract administration
• Purchase orders
• Procurement planning
• Procurement reporting
• Donor-funded procurement
• Procurement compliance
• Record keeping
• Stakeholder management
• Digital procurement systems
• Market research
• Audit preparation

The cover letter should go beyond simply repeating the CV. It should explain how the applicant’s education, experience, skills, and professional interests align with the responsibilities of the position.

Applicants with experience involving donor procurement frameworks should make this particularly clear because ACET identifies donor-funded projects and knowledge of major donor procurement frameworks as advantages.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly relevant to professionals with an academic background in:

• Procurement and Supply Chain Management
• Business Administration
• Law
• Quantity Surveying
• Related disciplines

However, the candidate must also satisfy one of ACET’s specified professional experience pathways.

The position is therefore not limited to someone who has never worked before. Despite the title “Procurement Intern,” the published requirements specify one to three years of relevant procurement experience depending on the applicant’s academic qualification.

Is the ACET Procurement Intern Opportunity Open to Africans?

ACET describes itself as a Pan-African organisation and states that it draws from a diversified Pan-African and global talent base.

However, the vacancy information provided does not explicitly state that applicants must be African nationals or citizens of a particular African country.

The position is based in Accra, Ghana, and candidates should consider the location requirements when applying.

ACET also states that it is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity.

Duration of the Procurement Internship

The position is listed as running:

Immediately through 31 December 2026.

This means the successful candidate is expected to begin as soon as possible following appointment and continue in the position through the end of December 2026.

Location

The Procurement Intern position is based in:

Accra, Ghana

The vacancy identifies Accra as both the organisation’s headquarters and the location of this particular role.

Applicants should therefore consider their ability to work in Accra when deciding whether to apply.

Important Details at a Glance

Organisation: African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)

Position: Procurement Intern

Location: Accra, Ghana

Posted: 1 September 2026

Duration: Immediate through 31 December 2026

Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline

Experience: Two years after a Bachelor’s in Procurement and Supply Chain Management; three years after a Bachelor’s in a related discipline; or one year after a relevant Master’s degree

Preferred additional experience: Donor-funded projects, development organisations, NGOs, World Bank or comparable procurement frameworks

Application documents: CV and cover letter

Application deadline: 11 September 2026

Application method: Online application through the designated careers portal

Conclusion

The ACET Procurement Intern 2026 opportunity offers a professional procurement role within a Pan-African economic policy organisation headquartered in Accra, Ghana.

The successful candidate will support a broad range of procurement functions, including procurement requests, purchase orders, supplier sourcing, tendering, evaluation, contract administration, procurement planning, reporting, compliance, record management, and stakeholder communication.

The opportunity is particularly suited to candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s qualification in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, provided they meet one of ACET’s specified experience pathways.

Experience in donor-funded projects, NGOs, development organisations, and international procurement frameworks such as those used by the World Bank or comparable institutions can provide an additional advantage.

The role is based in Accra, Ghana, runs from immediately through 31 December 2026, and applications must be received by 11 September 2026.

Interested candidates should prepare a strong CV and a tailored cover letter explaining why they are suitable for the position and submit their application through the designated recruitment portal before the deadline.

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