United Nations Internship Program 2026 (Paid) | UN Careers

The United Nations Internship Program offers opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience within the UN system across various duty stations worldwide. Interns contribute to analytical and policy work, support conferences and meetings, conduct research, and engage in data analysis. While specific roles vary, a prominent example mentioned is a Human Resources Internship in Geneva, Switzerland. Internships typically last between two to six months.

Internships at the United Nations Secretariat are generally unpaid. Interns are responsible for covering all their own expenses, including travel, accommodation, living costs, and medical insurance. It is important to note that policies regarding payment may vary among different UN agencies, funds, and programmes, so applicants should verify details with the specific entity they apply to.

This program is open to aspirants from any part of the world. To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program, or have graduated from such a program within one year prior to the start of the internship. A strong command of either English or French is required. Applicants must not be a child or sibling of a UN Secretariat staff member.

Applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter, and the ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Required academic backgrounds can vary widely, including fields such as Political Data Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Human Resources, Research and Evaluation, Finance, Recruitment, Management and Programme Analysis, Business or Public Administration, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Commerce, and Law. Fluency in English or French is essential, with knowledge of other UN languages like Arabic being an advantage for some roles. Interns must provide proof of globally valid medical insurance for the entire duration of their internship.

Applications are submitted through an online system on the official United Nations careers portal. Prospective interns should visit the official UN internships website, browse available programs, read the full details of the specific internship they are interested in, and then click "Apply Now." If you do not have an account, you will need to create one before applying. It is highly recommended to thoroughly review all details on the official website before submitting an application.

There is no single application deadline, as deadlines vary for each specific internship program offered by the United Nations. Interns are responsible for obtaining and financing their own visas for their duty station, though the UN can provide necessary diplomatic notes to facilitate the process. All travel arrangements and associated costs must be covered by the intern. Academic credit for the internship may be available depending on your university's policies; consult your academic institution for confirmation.