Monrovia, Liberia – The World Bank, in collaboration with the University of Liberia, officially launched the Procurement Internship Program on November 18, 2024. The event was attended by government officials, university cabinet members, and distinguished guests, all gathered to celebrate this new initiative aimed at building capacity within Liberia’s public procurement sector.
World Bank Country Manager Georgia Wallen addressed attendees, expressing her enthusiasm for the program and highlighting its importance in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical implementation in public procurement. “Every investment in education, learning, and training is an investment in the future – both for individuals and for Liberia,” she stated.
The Procurement Internship Program is designed to provide Master’s degree-level students studying procurement with invaluable hands-on experience. Interns will be attached to World Bank projects for 12 months, where they will gain firsthand exposure to the Bank’s procurement policies and implementation procedures. This “on-the-job training” is expected to enhance their practical knowledge and foster professional growth.
During their internships, participants will engage in various critical activities, including:
•Procurement planning
•Preparation of bidding documents and Requests for Proposals
•Evaluation of bids and proposals
•Contract negotiations and drafting
In addition to technical skills, interns will have the opportunity to network with professionals, technicians, and civil servants, thus building valuable connections that can inspire and inform their career trajectories.
Wallen emphasized the program’s potential to expand the pool of skilled professionals in Liberia, stating, “We are confident that the internship program will contribute to building capacity in Liberia by equipping students with the skills needed to tackle the nation’s development challenges.”
The ultimate goal of the Procurement Internship Program is to prepare students to contribute meaningfully to project implementation in Liberia and to pursue their career ambitions, including potential roles in public service.
As the event concluded, Wallen officially launched the program, thanking her colleagues at the University of Liberia and the World Bank team for their dedication to transforming this initiative from concept to reality. She extended her best wishes to the inaugural cohort of interns, encouraging them to strive for success and achieve great outcomes.
