Are you curious what a United Nations internship entails? Have you wondered if a United Nations internship is right for you? Read on for a complete guide to United Nations internship program!
What is a United Nations internship?
The purpose of the Internship programme is to provide students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds exposure to development issues and a first-hand experience with the day-to-day working environment of the United Nations.
If you are thinking of entering the world of diplomacy and public policy, an internship at the United Nations could be the ideal start for you.
The objective of the internship is to give you a first-hand impression of the day-to-day working environment of the United Nations. You will be given a real chance to work with UN staff. As part of the team, working directly with outstanding and inspiring career professionals and senior management, you will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to analytical work as well as organizational policy of the United Nations. Initially you will take on the amount of responsibility you can shoulder; the potential for growth, however, is yours to develop.
Where can I find United Nations internships?
The first thing to know is that the application process for both UN jobs as well as internships is completely decentralized. Every agency, department, and office will be seeking interns at different times and the requirements for the roles may also look different across agencies and offices. This is meant to be a general guide, so please inspect the internship posting for exact details. You can apply for United Nations internships using the following links:
UN Careers Page — Choose Category ‘Internship’
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA)
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
What are the Requirements for a United Nations Internship?
Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher, i.e. master’s or equivalent, Ph.D. or post-graduate degree);
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
- Have graduated with a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent) and, if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.
Depending on the educational system of the country in which the bachelor’s program is located, the duration of the bachelor’s degree could vary and may be three, four or five years in length. Accordingly, the candidate must be in the final year of the program, regardless of the length of the bachelor’s degree.
How Long are United Nations Internships?
Internship assignments vary in length according to the academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of the UN. Assignments normally last a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of six months. An internship may last up to nine months if the intern can demonstrate that it will award them an educational credit for a course.
Internship assignments completed as part of national service obligations or a postgraduate professional traineeship program may last up to 12 months.
Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis.
Where are United Nations Internships Located?
United Nations internships are available at duty stations around the world. However, interns will not be placed in hardship duty stations. Feel free to visit the following links of some popular internship locations:
- New York, UNITED STATES
- Geneva, SWITZERLAND
- Vienna, AUSTRIA
- Nairobi, KENYA
- Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
- Bangkok, THAILAND
- Beirut, LEBANON
- Santiago, CHILE
Are United Nations Internships Paid?
Yes, and no. Find more information below. Please note, this information is constantly changing. Please do your own research with each specific United Nations agency prior to accepting your internship.
Paid United Nations Internships as per OpenIGO (2022):
| FAO | Up to USD 700/month |
| IAEA | Living Allowance = €500 Housing Allowance = €500 |
| IFC | Between USD 26 and USD 32/hour. |
| IFAD | Between USD 678 and USD 734/month |
| IMF | Up to USD 5,000/month |
| IOM | Assistance of between 500 and 1,500 CHF/month (Switzerland). |
| OPCW | €450/month |
| CTBTO | Living Allowance = €500 Housing Allowance = €500 |
| UNOPS | Between USD 770 and USD 850/month |
| WFP | Up to USD 1,000/month |
| UPU | Between 960 and 1,000 euro/month |
| WB | Between USD 20 and USD 30/hour |
| WIPO | Between 500 and 2,000 CHF/month. (Switzerland). |
| WTO | 60 CHF/day or 1,200 CHF/month. |
| UNSSC | €450/month |
| GAVI ALLIANCE | Between USD 11 and USD 13/hour. Local transportation and lunch. |
| ICC | €400/month or 1,550 CHF/month (Switzerland). |
| UNICEF | Between USD 1,000 and USD 1,300/month. |
| ILO | 2,245 CHF/month (Switzerland) Between USD 12 and USD 13/hour (USA) |
Unpaid or Partially paid United Nations Internships:
ICSID
ICAO
IMO
ITU
UNISDR
UNRWA
WHO
UN WOMEN
UNDP (Some internships are paid up to 1000 USD)
UNFPA
UN SECRETARIAT
UNCTADUNESCO
UNEP
UN-HABITAT
UNIDO
UNODC
UNAIDS
UNHCR
UNWTO
INTRACEN
UN FOUNDATION
UNFCC
What is the Selection Process for United Nations Internships?
The application process requires you to submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
- Cover Letter/Statement of Interest
- Proof of enrollment
- Academic transcripts
1 — Advertising period:
The time varies according to the agency and specific vacancy.
2 — Longlisting:
Automatic pre-selection of applications.
3 — Shortlisting:
Analysis of the applications the recruiters have selected, and selecting the applicants for interview.
4 — Interview:
Held over the telephone, or by video-conferencing, to check the information provided.
5 — Post-interview process:
Final adjustments and review of the applicant’s documents and information.
6 — Contacting selected applicants:
Send a contract proposal by email.
Can I get a Job at the United Nations after Completing a UN Internship?
You are not guaranteed a job after completing an internship. Employment right after internship is prohibited. After your waiting period of 6 months, you are able to apply for staff positions at the United Nations. Many United Nations staff were once interns themselves, so consider that during your time as an intern and put your best foot forward, network, and absorb as much as you can.
I hope this has helped you understand more about the process of applying for and securing a United Nations internship. Best of luck!
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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.