The UNESCO Internship Programme is a learning opportunity for students and recent graduates to learn about UNESCO’s mandate, programmes and processes as well as enhance their academic and technical knowledge through practical assignments.

Duration: The minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months.

Visa: You should be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

Travel: You must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.

Medical insurance: You must show proof of a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship. UNESCO will only provide a limited workplace accident insurance.

Medical certificate: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide a medical certificate indicating you are fit to work.  Please note that a Medical Certificate should be issued by a qualified medical practitioner, and you should NOT submit detailed medical records such as results of blood tests, X-ray, CT scan, etc. 

Supporting Documents: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide your ID/Certificate of Enrolment/Diploma (if you have just recently graduated).

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

Benefits of UNESCO Internship Programme

The UNESCO Internship Programme offers you practical work in one of UNESCO’s priority areas. Aside from helping you understand the Organization’s mandate, programmes, and main thrusts, it also enhances your academic knowledge with relevant work assignments that can help you prepare for your future career.

Requirements for UNESCO Internship Programme

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.

Application Deadline

December 31, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to UNESCO on careers.unesco.org to apply

Before applying

Have your motivation letter and résumé ready before filling out the application form. You only have one hour to finish the process.

Make sure you contact details will be valid in next 6 months. 

You can only use either English or French in applying.

Please provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.

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

Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.

Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO mangers around the world and will stay in our internship portal for a period of six months.

We do not respond to every candidate. If selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.