Internship Programme 2025

Duty Station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External Candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31 December 2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

An internship with UNESCO will give you experience of the daily working environment of the United Nations specialized agency. You will be working in a team from one of the Programme Sectors or Central Services (the support services) of the Organization, at Headquarters, in one of the Field Offices, or in a Category I Institute.  You will be part of a team in which you will be exposed to a range of colleagues, making a meaningful contribution to the work of the team and the Organization. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to improve an array of technical and professional skills in a multi-cultural environment.

Interns carry out a variety of tasks, depending on the team in which they are working and the particular needs at the time. Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment, and the specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will be provided by the supervisor with whom you will be working.

TASKS

Interns may:

• Carry out and prepare summaries of research.
• Contribute to the preparation of documents, including substantive and communication materials.
• Collect, analyze and present data.
• Assist in organizing and communicating about events.
• Participate in meetings and workshops, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the technical work of the team/Unit/Sector.
• Liaise with colleagues in other entities of the United Nations System.
• Perform tasks that may be required in specific projects.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

It is expected that assignments will provide interns with the opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of the above areas, and in the development of the Core competencies of the UNESCO Competency Framework:

•    Accountability
•    Communication
•    Teamwork
•    Innovation
•    Results focus
•    Planning and organizing
•    Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

At the time of your application to the internship programme:

You are currently enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent, second university degree or higher).
You have recently graduated with a Master’s degree or PhD (or second degree as defined above), 12 months prior to the start of the internship.

Please note that candidates who have completed their full-time bachelor’s degree but are not enrolled in a graduate programme are not eligible to apply.

Applicants in secretarial/assistant or technical/professional assignments must be enrolled in a secretarial school or in a specialized technical/professional institution, and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.

Languages:

You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

Computer skills: You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Team player:

You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments.

Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship.