*Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD degree programme or in a relevant field (depending on the organisation).
** Interns are not eligible for appointment to any position within the same organisation for a period of 6 months following the end of their internships.

Internships at the United Nations
Depending on the organisation, internships can be full-time or part-time and based in headquarters, country or field offices. They are generally unpaid but some organisations offer monthly allowances to cover living expenses (see list below).
Certain UN organisations have strict policies regarding subsequent employment of interns, adhering to a 6-month 'cooling-off periodInterns are not eligible for appointment to any position within the same organisation for a period of 6 months following the end of their internships. '. Others, like UNICEFUnited Nations Children's Fund , encourage you to apply for consultancies, short-term or staff positions following your internship.
Requirements
Internships are generally open to current university students or recent graduates with English language proficiency. Work experience is not required but may be beneficial.
You get a chance to experience first-hand what working at the United Nations really is like.
Overview of internships
The list below indicates the requirements and main characteristics of internships offered by some UN organisations.
More details can be found under the respective links in the table.
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
- Aged 30 or under
- Fluent in English
Characteristics
- 3-6 months' duration
- Monthly allowance
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis
- Cooling-off period**
Minimum requirements
- Student* fluent in English
Characteristics
- 6 weeks to 6 months duration
> More about UNAIDS
> More about UNAIDS' internship programme
Minimum requirements
- Student*
- Fluent in English, French or Spanish
Characteristics
- Duration varies
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
- Fluent in English
Characteristics
- 2 to 6 months' duration
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
> More about UNFPA
> More about UNFPA's internship programme
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
Characteristics
- 2 to 6 months' duration
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
> More about UNHCR
> More about UNHCR's internship programme
Minimum requirements
- Student*
- Fluent in English, French or Spanish 2-6 months
Characteristics
2 to 6 months' duration
> More about UNICEF
> More about UNICEF's internship programme
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
- Fluent in English
Characteristics
- 2 to 6 months' duration
- Monthly stipend, if applicable
Minimum requirements
- Vary according to tasks and duty station
Characteristics
- 3 to 11 months' duration
- Applications are received on a rolling basis
Minimum requirements
- Student* fluent in English
Characteristics
- 6 weeks to 6 months' duration
> More about UN Women
> More about UN Women's internship programme
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
- Fluent in English/French
Characteristics
- 2-6 months
- Cooling-off period**
> More about the UN Secretariat
> More about internships at the UN Secretariat
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate, fluent in English
Characteristics
- 2-6 months
- Monthly stipend
Minimum requirements
- Student* or recent graduate
- Aged 20 or over
- Fluent in office's working language
Characteristics
- 6 to 24 weeks' duration
- Applications are accepted in February and September each year
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