If you are planning a UN internship, details matter. Each agency sets its own rules on duration, start dates, eligibility, and pay. Those differences affect who can apply and whether an internship is financially realistic.
Below is a practical breakdown of what to expect.
UNDP: The Most Flexible Option
Duration: Minimum six weeks, maximum six months. Internships tied to academic credit may last up to 9 months. Programs linked to national service or postgraduate professional training can last up to 12 months.
Timing: Year-round. There is no fixed application cycle. Positions appear on the UNDP jobs website throughout the year, and candidates apply directly to individual country or regional offices rather than through a central pool.
Work arrangement: Full-time or part-time. Roles may be in person or remote, depending on the office.
Eligibility: Applicants must be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a master’s or PhD program, or have graduated within the past year. Applicants do not need prior work experience. They must be fluent in English, and additional UN working languages are strongly preferred. French, Spanish, and Arabic are most in demand, though Portuguese, Russian, and some Eastern European languages are also useful.
Compensation: All UNDP interns receive a monthly stipend. Rates depend on duty station and work arrangement. Interns must cover medical insurance, visas, and travel costs.
What to know: UNDP is one of the few agencies that pays all interns, which makes it one of the most accessible options.
UNICEF: A Wider Graduation Window
Duration: Six to 26 weeks. Part-time internships cannot exceed the equivalent of 26 weeks full-time.
Timing: Positions are posted throughout the year, each with its own deadline. There is no centralised intake period.
Work arrangement: Full-time or part-time. Some roles are remote, others are onsite.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral program, or have graduated within the past two years. Undergraduate students must have completed at least two years of study. Proficiency in English, French, or Spanish is required, and some offices require the local working language.
Compensation: All interns receive a monthly stipend. Some offices also offer a one-time contribution toward travel or visa costs, depending on funding.
What to know: UNICEF’s two-year post-graduation window is longer than most agencies, and the internship is paid.
UNHCR: Focused on Humanitarian Work
Duration: Usually two to six months, with a possible extension up to a total of eight months. Across all UNHCR internships, candidates may not exceed eight months full-time or 12 months part-time in total.
Timing: Applications are accepted year-round. Individual offices manage their own timelines.
Work arrangement: Full-time or part-time.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current students or recent graduates within two years of applying. Undergraduate candidates must have completed at least two years of study. Academic backgrounds should be relevant to humanitarian work, including international law, political science, social sciences, or economics. Applicants cannot have immediate family members working for UNHCR.
Compensation: Interns without external financial support receive an allowance set at 50 per cent of the General Service level 3 salary for the duty station. UNHCR reimburses return travel from outside the duty station. Visas and medical insurance remain the intern’s responsibility.
What to know: UNHCR pays interns and covers travel, but strict caps apply if you plan to intern there more than once.
UN Women: Policy and Advocacy Focus
Duration: Two to six months, depending on office needs and academic requirements.
Timing: Flexible and driven by operational demand.
Work arrangement: Full-time or part-time.
Eligibility: Applicants must be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral program, or have graduated within the past two years. English fluency is required. Candidates are expected to align with UN Women’s core values, including professionalism and respect for diversity.
Compensation: UN Women internships are unpaid. Interns cover all living, travel, and insurance costs.
What to know: Lack of financial support limits access. This option is realistic only for those who can self-fund or secure outside backing.
UNESCO: Fixed Application Windows
Duration: One to six months.
Timing: Applications open twice a year, in January and July. Candidates remain in the selection pool for six months. If the agency does not make an offer during that period, applicants must submit a new application.
Work arrangement: Mostly full-time.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 20 years old and either in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in a master’s or PhD program, or have graduated within the past year. Applicants must have strong written and spoken English or French, basic computer skills, and the ability to work in a team.
Compensation: Internships are unpaid. Interns receive 2.5 days of leave per month, plus one additional day for each full month completed.
What to know: The unpaid structure and the long waiting period are important factors to consider when planning finances and timing.
OHCHR: Human Rights Specialisation
Duration: Typically three to six months. Some roles begin with a three-month term that may be renewed once.
Timing: Positions are posted on the UN Careers website with specific deadlines.
Work arrangement: Full-time only.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program or in the final year of a bachelor’s degree. They are expected to have a strong academic background in human rights, and many roles require advanced language skills. Graduate students are often favoured.
Compensation: Internships are unpaid. Interns cover all costs, do not accrue annual leave and cannot apply for UN positions for six months after completion.
What to know: OHCHR internships are competitive and resource-intensive, with strict post-internship restrictions.
Important to Note
All UN interns must carry medical insurance for the full duration of the internship. Interns must provide proof before starting, and the UN does not cover medical costs. Visa expenses are usually the intern’s responsibility, with limited exceptions.
Internships do not count toward the minimum work experience requirements for future UN staff roles. The standard “no expectation of employment” clause applies across agencies. There are some interns who, after the end of their internship period, apply for a full-time job. But internships do not serve as a direct hiring pathway.
One should continually monitor the UN careers website (careers.un.org) and the websites of individual agencies. Postings change often, and details can vary by office. Plan around application windows and realistic start dates, not just internship length.
