Many organisations run work-experience or internship programmes for recent graduates. These are usually, but not always, unpaid, and run for between 6 weeks and 6 months.
The following pages contain information on internships available throughout the United Nations system and other international organisations.Please contact each office directly regarding programmes. Details about an internship programme listed below are meant as a guide only. While every effort has been taken to ensure that this information is accurate, details should always be checked with reference to the website of the organisation in question.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 2-6 months. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicant should be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD level programme and fluent in English or French. Opportunities arise throughout the year with selection through submission of an online application.
For more information on UN Secretariat Internship programme.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting 2-6 months. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicants should be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD level programme in a development related field such as economics, public or business administration or environmental studies. Applicants should have written and spoken proficiency in at least one, and preferably two of the three working languages used by UNDP: English, French and Spanish. Selection is fully decentralized within UNDP therefore applicants interested in an internship should forward their application directly to the relevant country office or unit.
For more information on UNDP Internship programme.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 6-16 weeks. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicants should be a currently enrolled graduate or post-graduate student in a field related to UNICEF’s interests. You must be enrolled during the full duration of the proposed internship period. Additional consideration will be given for any past work experiences. Applicant should be fluent in English and one other UNICEF working language: French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese. Selection is by online application and should be supported by university or related institution.
For more information on UNICEF Internship programme.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting at least 3 to 6 months and can be extended up to 9 months. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicants should be aged between 21 and 35 years and hold a first university degree or equivalent and be enrolled in an advanced degree programme (second university degree or higher) at the time of application. Applicants from member states have priority.
For more information on UNIDO Internships
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity. The duration is unspecified. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicant should be enrolled in an advanced degree programme or have recently graduated. Students must have written and spoken proficiency in English; fluency in French, Spanish or Arabic is an asset. Opportunities arise throughout the year with selection through online application.
For more information on UNFPA Internship programme
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 6-16 weeks. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicant should be students pursuing an advanced university degree, such as a Masters or a PhD. Undergraduate students are ineligible. Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of UNOPS. Fluency in English is normally essential but in some regions French or Spanish may be required. Knowledge of other United Nations working languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) is an asset.
Work experience
It is possible for university graduates to do unpaid work experience at UNOPS without being currently enrolled in an advanced university degree. Interested candidates should submit their applications to internship vacancy announcements.
For more information on UNOPS internships and work experience
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 2-6 months. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicant should be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD level programme in graduate school and fluent in English or French. Opportunities appear throughout the year with a selection process through submission of an online application. Since not all offices have access to the UN central database, it is recommended that, in addition to the online application, requests for internships also submitted by separate mail with a covering letter to the field/branch office concerned.
For more information on UNHCR internship programme.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 3-6 months. (Intern or sponsoring institution covers all costs). Applicant must in third/fourth year of under-graduate (BA/BSc.) or in a graduate (Masters) or post-graduate (PhD) programme. Fluency in English and knowledge of any other UN language (French or Spanish) is an advantage. Opportunities arise throughout the year with selection process through online application supported by a letter of endorsement from their educational institution.
For more information on UN Environment Programme Internship programme.
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting approximately 2-6 months with IRIN, part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Applicants must be pursuing a first or advanced degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, International Relations or related fields. Fluency in English is required. Another language is advantageous: French, Arabic or Spanish. Opportunities arise throughout the year. Applicants should apply online through the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) website supported by a letter from your educational institution.
For more information on OCHA-IRIN internships
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting between 6 weeks to 3 months. Exceptionally, internships may be extended upto 6 months. (All costs of travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the intern or the sponsoring institution). Applicants should be at least 20 years old and undertaking a second university degree or higher and have completed at least three years of full-time studies towards completion of a degree. Applicants should also possess a first degree in a public health, medical or social field related related to the work of WHO and be fluent in the working language of the office of assignment.Summer Internships (May to October) Applications are accepted between December 1 - January 31 each year. Winter Internships (November to April) Applications are accepted between September 1 - October 31 each year.For more information on WHO Internships
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity lasting 6 weeks to 6 months, available on a part-time and full-time basis through the year. (All costs of travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the intern or the sponsoring institution). Applicants are expected to possess a Masters, doctorate or equivalent.Candidates may submit an application through the year. For more information on UNWomen internships
This is an unpaid learning and development opportunity for a period of 2-4 months. Applicants should have completed undergraduate degree and currently be enrolled in a Masters degree or equivalent in development-related fields such as economics, international relations, anthropology, sociology, public or business administration, or environmental studies. Other fields of study may be considered depending on the type of assignment. Applicants should have written and spoken proficiency in English and preferably in an additional official UN Language: French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.
For more information on UNV internshipsWorld Bank
This is a paid learning and development opportunity lasting a minimum of four weeks with most positions located in Washington, DC (with some in country offices). The candidate must have an undergraduate degree and already be enrolled in a full-time graduate study program. Fluency in English is required. Prior relevant work experience, computing skills, as well as knowledge of languages such as French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, and Chinese are advantageous. The World Bank Group Internship is offered during two seasons:Summer Internship (June-September)The application period for the Summer Internship is December 1 - January 31 each year.Winter Internship (December-March)The application period for the Winter Internship is September 1 - October 31 each year.
For more information on World Bank Internships
The Fund Internship Program (FIP) is the main internship offered at the Fund. This is a paid learning and development opportunity over a 10-13 week period for current graduate students. The candidate should not normally exceed 32 years of age and should be within one or two years of completing their Ph.D. in macroeconomics or relevant field, possess strong quantitative and computer skills and have an excellent command of English (both written and oral). The selection process is through online application.
The IMF internship is undertaken during the summer between May and October. Applications should be submitted October and December (subject to change).
Other opportunities for internships in other careers are available, but their frequency and availability is limited. These opportunities are advertised periodically on the IMF website.
For more information on Fund Internship Programme
This is a paid learning and development opportunity of a minimum of four weeks. The candidate must be in the first or second-to-last year of an MBA or similar graduate program. For investment positions, work experience (3-6 years) in international finance, which could include corporate finance, investment banking, financial consulting, private equity, credit analysis, or commercial banking. Knowledge of sectors relevant to IFC and emerging markets experience preferred. Fluency in English is required and proficiency in one or more of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish is preferred. IFC accepts applications on-line from December 1 through January 15 of each year.
2013 Summer Internship Program: Applications accepted from December 2012 - mid January, 2013.
For more information on IFC internships
This is a paid (monthly stipend) learning and development opportunity lasting three months, renewable for up to six months (maximum). The candidate must be a student, aged between 18- 30 currently enrolled in a master’s level degree program or its equivalent. The candidate can apply for an internship within one year of having obtained such a degree. An online application with CV and covering letter with letter of recommendation from letter from their school must also be submitted along with the application. The applicant much be citizen of one of the Bank’s member countries and be fluent in, at least, one of the Bank’s working languages (English or French). The African Development Bank internships are offered during two seasons:Winter - Session I: January through March. Application period from 1st July - 30th September Summer - Session II: June through August. Application period from 1st December - 7th March.
For more information on African Development Bank Internships
This is a paid learning and development opportunity. (Stipend is provided to all interns according to the location of internships up to 56 calendar days). The internship duration is a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks or six months. The candidate should be enrolled in a Master's- or PhD-level program at a school in one of ADB's members (including United Kingdom), both prior to and after the internship assignment in a field directly related to ADB's work; be a national of one of ADB's members; possess an excellent command of English; and have relevant professional experience. ADB announces the assignments on the website and candidates choose assignments of interest. Candidates apply online through the Asian Development Bank’s recruitment centre (ARC).
For more information on Asian Development Bank Internships
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