The United Nations (UN) offers one of the most prestigious internship opportunities in the world, giving students and recent graduates a front-row seat to international development, diplomacy, and global problem-solving. The UN Internships 2026 program opens doors for young professionals who want to gain hands-on experience in areas such as humanitarian affairs, communications, policy development, environmental sustainability, and more.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Education:
Must be enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s level or higher), in the final year of a Bachelor’s programme, or recently graduated (within one year) from a university degree in fields such as journalism, communications, human development, psychology, sociology, disability inclusion, international relations, or human resources.
In countries without separate undergraduate and graduate stages, candidates must have completed at least four years of full-time university study toward a degree in a relevant field.
Must be computer literate and proficient in standard software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and other office automation tools.
Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations are English and French.
For most internship roles, fluency in English is required, while knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage.
Competencies:
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate key UN core competencies, including:
Professionalism: Displays integrity, competence, and pride in work; delivers results efficiently; remains calm and solution-oriented under pressure; and upholds gender equality and inclusivity.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, listens actively, responds appropriately, and ensures open, two-way communication.
Planning and Organising: Sets clear goals aligned with strategic priorities, manages time and resources efficiently, anticipates challenges, and adapts plans when necessary.
Technological Awareness: Stays current with technology trends, applies technology appropriately to work tasks, and shows readiness to learn new digital tools.
Personal Commitment:
Applicants should have a strong interest in the mission of the United Nations, a genuine dedication to its values, and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
Benefits of the Internship
Though many UN internships are unpaid, they provide a rare opportunity to:
Gain real-world experience working on global issues and development projects.
Build a professional network that spans across countries and sectors.
Learn from international experts and mentors in a multicultural environment.
Strengthen your CV and career prospects, especially if you’re interested in international organisations, NGOs, or public service.
Access valuable training sessions, workshops, and field exposure depending on your duty station.
Some UN entities now offer stipends or travel support, so applicants are encouraged to check each specific internship listing carefully.
Here are some opportunities available at the UN internships.
Sustainable Urban Development Intern
Duties:
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
1. Provide support to organize and conduct meetings/webinars relevant to the work of the section, including drafting of documents and communications materials, preparation for and backstopping of Intergovernmental meetings, and follow-up activities (40%)
2. Assist with various tasks linked to organizational and substantive dimensions of programme and project implementation, such as urban climate action, SDG Localization, sustainable urban development and more (30%)
3. Conduct research and identify case studies on urban development, policies and programmes and their impact on inclusive, sustainable and resilient development in the Asia-Pacific region (20%)
4. Participate in day-to-day operational tasks of the Section, such as servicing requests for information, support for developing presentations, updating of web pages on the section’s work, etc. (10%)
Special skills
(a) Good command of Microsoft Suite beyond Word, Excel and PowerPoint is desirable. (b) Video-editing skills are desirable. (c) Graphic design and creativity skills for urban contexts are desirable.
Human Rights Intern
Duties:
The Section works to protect and promote women’s human rights by highlighting discriminatory laws and policies which allow gender-based discrimination and bring them in line with the international human rights law.
In addition, the Section works to promote gender integration across OHCHR and broader UN planning and programmes.
The Section also develops and supports High Commissioner leadership on women’s human rights and gender equality, produces thematic reports, statements and tools pertaining to women’s human rights and gender equality, internal guidance and conducts training, capacity-building and briefings in these areas, facilitates dialogue among stakeholders, and develops a network of experts and civil society organisations, including women human rights defenders, in order to leverage expertise and advance the women’s human rights agenda.
Marketing Intern
Duties:
The intern will assist the Sales and Marketing Section in designing and implementing the overall marketing strategy for United Nations Publications, promoting the UN brand, and driving demand for UN Publications. The selected intern may perform some of the following functions: – Assisting with planning and producing marketing campaigns across different channels and platforms – Providing logistic support for the organisation of public events in the UN Bookshop – Assisting with drafting, formatting, editing, and posting original website content/news stories/social media content, including graphics, photographs, and video.
Political Affairs Intern: Contribution to PBSO support to the PBC
Duties:
• Researches, compiles and summarizes background materials for use in preparation of meetings, reports, summaries, etc.
• Assists in the coordination of service-wide activities (meetings, training, etc.), special projects and events.
• Supports the management and development of internal databases; updates the website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software; • Performs a variety of administrative duties, as requested.
Intern – Public Information
Duties:
- Tasks will include:
- Assist in drafting and preparing background documents, concept notes, reports, and presentations.
- Assist in the organisation of and participates in events, workshops, webinars, and training.
- Collect disaggregated data on training participants.
- Assist in organising advocacy events.
- Asist in drafting web articles.
- Assist in preparing social media content by drafting texts and short video scripts and designing cards Support other information management-related tasks.
Intern – Statistics Division
Duties:
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background as well as the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following. Within delegated authority, the duties of the incumbent may include the following:
1. Support the dissemination of the SDG progress report through ESCAP’s web page and with the application of AI tools.
2. Support the visualization and user-friendly communication of the SDG data analysis for Asia and the Pacific
3. Support SDMU in enhancing the data management and application of statistical techniques for the analysis of SDG data
4. Perform other tasks as required.
How to Apply
The application process for UN internships is handled through the UN Careers Portal (careers.un.org) or specific agency websites such as UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and UNHCR. To apply:
Create an account on the UN Careers portal.
Search for “Internship” under Job Openings and filter by your area of interest or location.
Review the eligibility criteria for each position.
Submit your online application along with your CV, cover letter, and any required academic documents.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it’s advisable to apply early and keep your profile updated.
Pro Tip
Don’t just upload a generic CV. Tailor your application to reflect the UN’s values and the specific department you’re applying to. For instance, if applying to UNDP, highlight experience in sustainable development or policy analysis. For UNICEF, emphasise work related to children, education, or advocacy. Recruiters look for alignment with the agency’s mission, not just academic qualifications.
Landing a UN internship isn’t just about adding a prestigious name to your resume; it’s about joining a global mission to shape a better world. Whether you’re passionate about climate change, peacebuilding, or humanitarian aid, the United Nations Internships 2026 program can set the stage for a meaningful international career. To apply, visit the UN Careers Page and apply promptly.
