UN Internships 2025: How to Get an Internship at the United Nations

UN Internships 2025: How to Get an Internship at the United Nations

UN internships are among the most sought-after early-career opportunities in the international development sector. They provide direct access to the UN system, exposure to multilateral diplomacy and programme delivery, and — crucially — the network and experience that make subsequent UN job applications significantly more competitive.

The Reality of UN Internships

Let's be honest first: UN internships are extremely competitive, historically unpaid (though this is changing), and the translation into a UN professional position is not automatic. But they remain valuable because:

• They give you a legitimate claim to UN experience on your CV
• The network you build inside an agency opens doors that are otherwise closed
• You learn how the UN actually operates — which is essential knowledge for any subsequent application
• Some agencies now offer stipends, particularly for duty stations with a high cost of living

Which Agencies Offer Internships?

Almost every major UN entity runs an internship programme, but they vary significantly in size, location, and compensation:

| Agency | Key locations | Stipend? |

|--------|--------------|---------|

| UNICEF | New York, country offices | Yes (some offices) |

| UNDP | New York, country offices | Some |

| WFP | Rome, country offices | Yes |

| UNHCR | Geneva, country offices | Yes (from 2024) |

| WHO | Geneva, country offices | Yes |

| OCHA | New York, Geneva | No (Secretariat rules) |

| UN Women | New York | No |

| FAO | Rome | Yes (some) |

| ILO | Geneva | Yes |

Eligibility Requirements

Most UN internship programmes require:

• Enrolment in a master's programme OR graduation within the past 12 months (the exact window varies)
• A bachelor's degree minimum
• Fluency in one official UN language (English or French almost always; others are a strong advantage)
• No prior employment with the UN (rules vary; check each agency)

Some agencies — particularly WFP and UNICEF — are expanding beyond the standard student requirement and accepting recent graduates in a slightly broader window.

How to Find and Apply

Each agency manages its own internship portal:

• UNDP: jobs.undp.org (filter by "Internship")
• UNICEF: jobs.unicef.org
• WFP: executiveboard.wfp.org/jobs
• UNHCR: unhcr.org/careers
• WHO: careers.who.int
• UN Secretariat (OCHA, etc.): inspira.un.org

DevProcure aggregates internship postings from all major UN agencies in one place, so you can search and set alerts across the whole UN system simultaneously.

What Makes a Strong Application

The competition for UN internships is intense — particularly for headquarters positions. Differentiating factors include:

• Sector-specific academic work: your thesis or capstone project directly relevant to the team's portfolio
• Prior relevant experience: NGO work, government, research — any substantive professional experience
• Language match: applying to a francophone-heavy team with French language skills
• Tailored motivation letter: explaining exactly why this team and this specific work, not just "the UN"
• Existing UN network: a referral from someone within the team dramatically improves your visibility

Making the Most of a UN Internship

If you land one, treat it as an investment in your long-term UN career:

• Volunteer for tasks beyond your assignment, particularly visible deliverables
• Build relationships across the division, not just your immediate team
• Ask supervisors explicitly whether they would support your application for UN roles after the internship
• Leave a written deliverable behind — a report, database, or analytical note — so you're remembered

After your internship, use DevProcure's daily alerts to monitor UN vacancies in your area of expertise so you can apply immediately when relevant positions open.