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2026 Graduate Trainee Program at Ikore International Development Limited 🌍

Ikore International Development Limited (Ikore) is recognized as an international development organization that dedicates itself to pioneering innovative solutions to foster sustainable social and enterprise development. The organization operates in regions characterized by economic deprivation, challenging accessibility, and community vulnerability due to instability across Nigeria and the broader African continent. Ikore's mission involves providing essential solutions that support markets and communities currently facing inefficiencies. In the Agricultural Sector, Ikore facilitates inclusive market growth through the strategic deployment of approaches that enhance value chain competitiveness and cultivate resilient communities, ultimately ensuring a more abundant harvest for rural poor farmers within these communities.


Program Details

Category

Information

Title

2026 Graduate Trainee Program

Location

Abuja (FCT)

Employment Type

Internship

Mode of Work

Onsite

Program Duration

6 months


Program Overview and Role Description

The 6-month graduate trainee program has been meticulously designed to attract exceptional individuals who demonstrate a profound passion for Agribusiness in the contemporary global landscape and possess a strong willingness to both learn and apply their knowledge towards the sector's advancement. The Program offers an intensive learning opportunity for ambitious young professionals aspiring to collaborate with Agribusiness entities.

As a graduate trainee, the individual will be integrated into Ikore's dynamic and innovative team, tasked with solving real-world problems. This will involve working collaboratively with local communities and businesses to design and deliver home-grown solutions that demonstrably improve livelihoods and build resilience.

Ikore is actively seeking applications from individuals keen on advancing their careers in the following key functional areas:

  • Partnerships Development
  • Project Implementation Support
  • Startup and Technology Management

Core Responsibilities

The graduate trainee will contribute significantly across the organization's strategic functions:

Partnerships Development

The trainee will be expected to:

  • Identify and cultivate partnerships and collaborations to drive growth in the identification, selection, and engagement of diverse stakeholders.
  • Conduct thorough financial and non-financial due diligence and subsequently present or recommend the most relevant investment opportunities to stakeholders.
  • Execute market research to pinpoint new business opportunities and bolster the expansion of Ikore’s institutional donor pipeline; this includes identifying and pre-qualifying new bid opportunities through both online and offline searches.
  • Track and assess new project opportunities and proactively contribute to marketing efforts aimed at establishing a pipeline of high-quality business opportunities.
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues to ascertain the most viable and cost-effective strategies for pursuing new business opportunities.
  • Engage with potential investors, funders, and partners to present company offerings and negotiate business deals.
  • Manage proposal processes and pipelines—encompassing capture, technical development, drafting, narrative reviews, and finalization.
  • Participate actively in technical design by identifying and analyzing potential solutions to development challenges through desk research, stakeholder interviews, and ideation sessions with the leadership and technical team.

Project Implementation Support

The trainee will be responsible for:

  • Supporting the implementation and management of changes and interventions to ensure that all project goals are successfully achieved.
  • Facilitating meetings with stakeholders to maintain clear and transparent communication regarding project issues and service delivery decisions.
  • Coordinating multiple projects and managing their inherent interdependencies.
  • Liaising with international and local partners on all assigned projects and interventions.
  • Supporting the identification of rural market opportunities, designing strategies and intervention guides for developing these market areas/commodity chains, and leading the implementation efforts.
  • Producing accurate and timely reports on project status throughout the project life cycle.
  • Analyzing, evaluating, and mitigating project risks, managing resources, and generating reports for both management and external stakeholders.

Startup and Technology Management

The trainee will focus on:

  • Evaluating how new business models can be effectively applied to create value, including determining how Ikore can best leverage corporate partners’ assets to gain a competitive advantage, assessing market size, and building robust business cases.
  • Gathering information from the ecosystem to rigorously assess market opportunities and the feasibility of innovation concepts.
  • Developing compelling product strategies, competitive analyses, roadmaps, and Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) to articulate the product vision clearly.

Benefits and Professional Development

Successful candidates will embark on a rewarding and flexible 24-week journey, benefiting significantly from:

  • Mentorship from seasoned experts in the field.
  • Exposure to a wide range of business and soft skills, crucial for professional success.
  • A competitive monthly stipend ranging from NGN 200,000 to NGN 300,000.
  • Retention opportunities for trainees who demonstrate exceptional performance and fit within the organization.

The program's core value lies not only in equipping young graduates with immediately applicable skills for future career pursuits but also in supporting their broader professional development and providing them with core competencies that will significantly strengthen their professional portfolios.


Eligibility Criteria

Prospective candidates must strictly meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a First Class or Second Class Upper degree in Engineering, Sciences, Project Management, Finance/Investment, Business Management, Economics, or a closely related field.
  • Reside in Abuja, FCT at the time of application and throughout the program.
  • Be between 22 and 30 years old.
  • Demonstrate a deep-seated commitment to values that support improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
  • Possess exceptional research, writing, and presentation skills; strong interpersonal skills and empathy; keen attention to detail; creativity and the ability to think innovatively; and a keen interest in AgTech businesses.
  • Have prior experience owning a workstream within a project, including structuring analysis, developing robust recommendations, and presenting results effectively.
  • Have program or project management experience, coupled with a demonstrated ability to meet demanding deadlines and ensure effective and efficient operations.
  • Be a strong team player with leadership capabilities—specifically, someone who assumes ownership of team outcomes and actively supports others in improving their performance.
  • Have experience managing a small business or working in a startup environment, or possess relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or angel investing.
  • Be a self-starter with demonstrable project management and leadership experience.
  • Possess the crucial ability to develop relationships and build connections with diverse individuals and stakeholders.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their resume/CV and a comprehensive cover letter. The cover letter must clearly outline the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and genuine interest in the position. The application should be sent to: jobs@ikore.org.

Crucially, the subject line of the email must state the specific job role being applied for (e.g., "2026 Graduate Trainee Program - Partnerships Development").

Application Deadline: 28th November, 2025.

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