A rolling internship programme across United Nations Secretariat offices worldwide, offering students and recent graduates hands-on experience in diplomacy, international relations, public policy, and global affairs. Internships are unpaid at the UN Secretariat level, though some individual UN agencies, funds, and programmes (such as UNDP) may offer a stipend depending on location — always confirm with the specific office you apply to.
United Nations Internship Programme
Opportunity Overview
Opportunity Details
Funding Type
Verification & Key Dates
Verification Date
Deadline
Source Organization
Official Application Link
Eligibility
- Enrolled in, or within one year of graduating from, a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. programme (specific requirement varies slightly by UN office — some require final-year Bachelor's or graduate-level enrollment)
- Strong command of English or French (additional UN languages are an asset for some postings)
- NOT the child or sibling of a UN Secretariat staff member
- Able to commit to the internship duration (typically 2–6 months, office-dependent)
Benefits
- Direct, hands-on experience within the United Nations system
- Exposure to high-level meetings, conferences, and policy work
- Possible academic credit, depending on your university's own policy
- Note: UN Secretariat internships are unpaid — interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and medical insurance costs. Some individual UN agencies (e.g. UNDP) offer a location-dependent stipend; this is the exception, not the rule, and must be confirmed with the specific office.
Application Process
1. Create a profile on the official UN careers portal (careers.un.org) or the relevant agency's own recruitment system
2. Search current internship postings under the 'Internship' category
3. Apply directly to specific postings that match your background and interest
4. Applications are pre-screened and shortlisted candidates are contacted directly by the hiring office
5. No fee is ever required at any stage
Required Documents
A completed online application/profile on the UN careers portal, including education history and language proficiency. Specific postings may request a cover letter or Personal History Profile (PHP) — check the individual job opening for exact requirements.
Important Notes
The United Nations explicitly warns that it never charges a fee at any stage of recruitment — application, interview, processing, or training. Be highly suspicious of anyone asking for payment claiming to represent the UN. Interns must fund their own travel, visa, accommodation, and health insurance. Completing an internship does not guarantee or lead to future UN employment.
Common Questions
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