The United Nations is an exciting a dynamic place to work, intern or volunteer. Opportunities to work with the UN are varied, and there are several methods of recruitment, depending on your professionalism, level of experience and type of role you are looking for.
United Nations Headquarters in New York
The United Nations provides opportunities for students enrolled in a graduate program to undertake an internship at its headquarters in New York. Preference is given to candidates from developing, underrepresented or unrepresented countries in the UN. There are three internship sessions throughout the year: spring (mid-January to mid-March); summer (early June to early August); and fall (mid-September to mid-November). Internships are on a volunteer basis.
Internship Coordinator
United Nations Headquarters
Room S-2500F
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Fax: (212) 963-9514
[email protected]
www.un.org
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP is the UN's global development network and operates from 166 countries. UNDP offers a limited number of internships to graduate-level students. The internships are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, and to complement other international studies, including law.
Internships can take place in a UNDP country office/regional center or at the organization's headquarters in New York. The internships are on a volunteer basis and the assignments can vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. Assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year.
Selection for the internships is fully decentralized within UNDP. Applicants interested in an internship should forward their application directly to the relevant country office or unit or Download the UNDP application form for internships from their website.
Headquarters
United Nations Development Programme
One United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
http://www.undp.org/internships/
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO promotes international co-operation among its member states in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. UNESCO provides internships to students pursuing a graduate degree program or technical/professional studies. The internships are offered at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris and at field offices. Internships have a duration of one to four months and are on a volunteer basis.
UNESCO
7, Place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
France
Phone: 33 (0)1 45 68 10 00
Fax: 33 (0)1 45 67 16 90
www.unesco.org
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF is a United Nations organization that works all over the world to save, protect and enhance the lives of children. Its internship program offers university students the opportunity to acquire direct practical experience in UNICEF's work under the direct supervision of experienced staff at UNICEF's headquarters in New York or at country offices. The internships are on a volunteer basis and last for 6 to 16 weeks.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP offers internships in Nairobi, Kenya for undergraduate and graduate university students. The internships have a duration of three to six months and are on a volunteer basis.
United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Avenue, Gigiri
PO Box 30552, 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: (254-20) 7621234
Fax: (254-20) 7624489/90
www.unep.org
United Nations Women
UN Women provides financial and technical assistance to programs and strategies that improve the living standards of women in developing countries and address their concerns. UNIFEM offers internships to graduate-level students. The internship program is designed to complement women's development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complements other international studies, including law. The internships are on a volunteer basis.
UN Women Headquarters
304 East 45th Street
15th Floor
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A.
Phone: (212) 906-6400
Fax: (212) 906-6705
www.unwomen.org
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The UNHCR leads and co-ordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
UNHCR has its head offices in Budapest and Geneva. Internships are offered depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of units/offices to receive and supervise interns. There is no deadline for sending in an application form.
The kind of work interns are offered depends on UNHCR requirements as well as the qualifications and interests of the applicant. Most interns work on a project, which will benefit both them and UNHCR, in fields such as refugee protection (legal), international relations, administration and public affairs.
Applications must be submitted through the online applications link. Since not all offices have access to the central database, it is recommended that, in addition to the online application, requests for internships be also submitted by separate mail with a covering letter to the field/branch office concerned.
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c49d.html
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
OHCHR is a department of the United Nations Secretariat, with the mandate to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization, by all people, of all rights established in the Charter of the United Nations and in international human rights laws and treaties. OHCHR provides internships to graduate students for a period of three to six months. The internships are on a volunteer basis.
The maximum number of interns accepted by OHCHR at any given time is 50. There are two selections a year: the first deadline is Mid May to apply for the period starting from July. The second deadline is Mid October for the period starting from January. Unless specifically contemplated under an agreement between OHCHR and an academic institution, internships are for a minimum period of three months and may be renewed once for a further three-month period. The maximum duration of internships at OHCHR is six months. When applying for an internship, candidates should indicate the quarter(s) for which they wish to be considered.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Phone: 41 22 917 9000
[email protected]
www.ohchr.org
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/InternshipProgramme.aspx
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
UNESCAP is the regional arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. UNESCAP is the most comprehensive of the United Nations five regional commissions and is also the largest United Nations body serving the Asia-Pacific region.
UNESCAP provides opportunities for students who are enrolled in graduate programs to undertake an internship with one of its diverse range of divisions and agencies, most of are located at its Bangkok headquarters.
Human Resources Management Section (HRMS), UNESCAP
United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
[email protected]
http://www.unescap.org/jobs/internships/faq.asp
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
UNECE is a regional commission of the United Nations with the aim of promoting pan-European economic integration. UNECE accepts interns from time to time on a volunteer basis. The internships are open to graduate or post-graduate students.
Internship Coordinator
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Office 362
CH-1211 Geneva 10
[email protected]
www.unece.org
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
UNFCCC sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. UNFCCC's internship program allows graduate students to gain insight into the work of the United Nations and provides assistance and training in various professional fields. The normal duration of an internship is two months, which can be extended for an additional two months. Internships are on a volunteer basis.
Intern Focal Point
UNFCCC
P.O. Box 260124, D-53153
Bonn, Germany
[email protected]
https://unfccc.int/internships
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
UN-HABITAT is the United Nations agency for human settlements, mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-HABITAT offers internships in Nairobi, Kenya for undergraduate and graduate university students. The internships have a duration of three to six months and are on a volunteer basis.
UN-HABITAT Headquarters
P.O. Box 30030, GPO
Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
Phone: (254-20) 7621234 (Operator) / 7 623120 (Information Services)
Fax: (254-20) 7624266
United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)
UNON provides the offices of the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and other key agencies with vital administrative and technical support services. UNON offers internships in Nairobi for undergraduate and graduate university students. The internships have a duration of three to six months and are on a volunteer basis.
United Nations Office at Nairobi
P.O. Box 67578
Nairobi-00200
Kenya
Phone: (254-20) 624336
Fax: (254-20) 623789
[email protected]
www.unon.org
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) was established in 1966 and has come to be the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. UNCITRAL’s mandate is to further the progressive harmonization and unification of the law of international trade. The Commission is composed of sixty member States elected by the General Assembly. Membership is structured so as to be representative of the world's various geographic regions and its principal economic and legal systems. Members of the Commission are elected for terms of six years, the terms of half the members expiring every three years.
The International Trade Law Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (ITLD), which serves as the substantive secretariat of UNCITRAL, offers an internship programme for a selected number of applicants who hold a first university degree (or equivalent) and are enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (working towards a second university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship. The Division includes a Legislative Branch and a Technical Assistance Section Those are tasked, respectively, with the development of harmonized legislative texts, and the provision of technical assistance, with respect to the adoption and use of UNCITRAL legal texts.
The internship programme is for an initial two month period and is unpaid.
UNCITRAL Secretariat
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 500
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Fax: 43-(1) 26060-5813
www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/vacanciesinternships.html
United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UNGLS)
The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) promotes dynamic partnerships between the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. By providing information, advice, expertise and consulting and support service, NGLS is part of the United Nations effort to strengthen dialogue and win support for economic and social development.
Internships are through the UN Headquarters internship programme.
Alternatively, contact:
UN Office of Human Resource Management
Room S-2590, United Nations, New York
NY 10017, USA
The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
UNOV manages and implements the United Nations programme on the peaceful uses of outer space and provides common services, such as conference services, information services, security and safety services, procurement services and general support services, for the organizations located at the Vienna International Centre.
UNOV is closely associated with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). A shared Division for Management, in addition to the common services listed above, supports both organizations with financial resources management services, human resources management services and information technology and communications services.
The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) accept unpaid interns on an ad hoc basis.
The application is Web-based and can be found on the Internet at: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/about-unodc/employment.html.
Applications must be accompanied by documentary evidence (i.e. a letter of confirmation from a university) of continuing matriculation, university transcripts, an up-to-date curriculum vitae and a short essay in English or French (about 150-250 words) outlining the applicant's motivation for doing an internship. Completed applications and accompanying documentation should be submitted, using the above Web address, no earlier than eight months and no later than four months before the intended start of the internship.
The normal duration of an internship is two months, which may be extended for an additional two months. The total duration may, exceptionally, be extended to a maximum period of six months. The programme is normally on a full-time basis. Interns are expected to work five full days a week in the Division that has selected them, under the supervision of an experienced staff member. Requests for shorter or longer periods will not be considered.
http://www.unvienna.org/unov/en/job_internship.html
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
IFAD is a United Nations agency with the goal to empower poor rural people in developing countries to achieve higher incomes and improved food security. IFAD offers internships to young university students and graduates. Interns are fully involved in the work program of their division under the supervision of a staff member and may have a chance to visit IFAD-funded projects. Internships have a duration of up to six months.
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Via del Serafico, 107
00142 Rome, Italy
Phone: 39-0654591
Fax: 39-065043463
[email protected]
www.ifad.org
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
IFAD is a United Nations agency with the goal to empower poor rural people in developing countries to achieve higher incomes and improved food security. IFAD offers internships to young university students and graduates. Interns are fully involved in the work program of their division under the supervision of a staff member and may have a chance to visit IFAD-funded projects. Internships have a duration of up to six months.
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Via del Serafico, 107
00142 Rome, Italy
Phone: 39-0654591
Fax: 39-065043463
[email protected]
www.ifad.org
World Food Programme (WFP)
WFP is a United Nations agency mandated to combat global hunger. In emergencies, WFP delivers food to victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After the cause of an emergency has passed, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild. WFP offers internships for university students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies. Internships are provided at WFP headquarters in Rome and at country offices.
World Food Programme Headquarters
Via C.G.Viola 68
Parco dei Medici
00148 - Rome - Italy
Phone: 39-06-65131
[email protected]
www.wfp.org
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. WHO's internship program provides a wide range of opportunities for students to gain insight into the work of WHO. Interns must be enrolled in a degree program in a graduate school and must possess a first degree in a public health, medical or social field related to the technical work of WHO. Internships have a duration of 6 to 12 weeks and are offered on a volunteer basis.
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
http://www.who.int/careers/en/
Related Organisations
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The ILO is a United Nations agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its member states to promote decent work throughout the world. The ILO provides internships for university students who are pursuing a course of study or work in fields related to its mandate and activities. Internships are offered in the ILO's headquarters in Geneva and at field offices, and normally have a length of three to six months.
ILO Headquarters
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211 Genève 22
Switzerland
Phone: 41 (0) 22 799 6111
Fax: 41 (0) 22 798 8685
[email protected]
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/pers/vacancy/intern.htm
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The IMF is a United Nations organization that works to: promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment. The IMF provides internships to graduate students pursing an advanced degree/Ph.D. in macroeconomics or a related field. The internships have a duration of 10 to 13 weeks.
International Monetary Fund
700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20431, U.S.A
Phone: (202) 623-7422
Fax: (202) 623-7333
[email protected]
https://www.imf.org/external/np/adm/rec/job/summint.htm
World Bank
The World Bank is a source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. It provides governments with mone
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433 USA
Phone: (202) 473-1000
Fax: (202) 477-6391
http://go.worldbank.org
World Trade Organization (WTO)
WTO is a United Nations organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations at a global or near-global level. The WTO secretariat maintains a limited internship program in Geneva for graduate students wishing to gain practical experience and deeper knowledge of the multilateral trading system. Internships are generally of a duration of up to 24 weeks.
Director, Human Resources Division
World Trade Organization
Centre William Rappard
154 rue de Lausanne
1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland
UN Watch
UN Watch is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Geneva, Switzerland whose mission is to monitor the performance of the United Nations according to the yardstick of its Charter and to protect human rights for all. UN Watch is affiliated with the American Jewish Committee and is at the forefront in the struggle against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias at the UN.
UN Watch accepts internship applications on a rolling basis. Interns must stay for at least two months and preferably longer. Interns work as unpaid volunteers at the headquarters in Geneva.
Case Postale 191, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Fax: 41-22-734-1613
www.unwatch.org
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