Students and Young Professionals
Most professional posts in the UN and other international organizations require several years of experience and advanced degrees; however, there are a few programs in place to help highly qualified students and young professionals get their foot in the door.
If your background does not fit the ideal description for these programs, consider gaining field experience by working for a relevant non-governmental organization, non-profit, or applying to volunteer with the Peace Corps. You will gain technical and language skills, along with international experience, that will make your application for a position with an international organization more competitive.
Internships
There are many different internship programs across the UN System and in other international organizations. Review the links below to get detailed information about these programs and their respective application processes, as the requirements vary.
Keep in mind the following tips when applying for internships:
- The application process is very competitive. You should review the requirements carefully and devote enough time to completing your application.
- Not all international organizations advertise internship opportunities. If there is an organization you’re interested in, but you can’t find a publicly available list of internships, reach out to the organization directly to ask.
- Regional offices tend to be less competitive than headquarters positions. You should apply for a variety of positions both at the headquarters and in the field to improve your chances.
- Some organization, such as the UN Secretariat, impose a "cooling off period" between the end of the internship and an offer of full-time employment. If you’re looking to transition from an internship into a permanent position, you should research the policies of the organization you’re applying to.
UN Secretariat Internship Program
Internships in the UN Secretariat are usually full-time, between three to six months in duration, and may take place during certain periods of the year. Be vigilant about application procedures and deadlines as they vary depending on the vacant position. Please visit the UN Secretariat’s website for more information.
UN and other international organization internship programs
| Organization |
Headquarters |
| African Development Bank (AfDB) |
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire |
| Asia Pacific Economic Commission (APEC) |
Singapore |
| Asian Development Bank (ADB) |
Manila, Philippines |
| Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) |
Vienna, Austria |
| Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) |
Bangkok, Thailand |
| Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) |
Beirut, Lebanon |
| Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) |
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) |
Santiago, Chile |
| International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
Vienna, Austria |
| International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) |
Rome, Italy |
| International Court of Justice (ICJ) |
The Hague, Netherlands |
| International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY) |
The Hague, Netherlands |
| International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) |
Rome, Italy |
| International Labor Organization (ILO) |
Geneva,Switzerland |
| International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
London, UK |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
Washington, DC |
| International Organization for Migration (IOM) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Telecommunications Union (ITU) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Trade Center (ITC) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |
Brussels, Belgium |
| Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) |
Paris, France |
| Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) |
Vienna, Austria |
| Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) |
The Hague, Netherlands |
| Organization of American States (OAS) |
Washington, DC |
| Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) |
Washington, DC |
| The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
Rome, Italy |
| The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCOPIL) |
The Hague, Netherlands |
| UN Center for Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) |
Nairobi, Kenya |
| UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) |
New York, NY |
| UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) |
Vienna, Austria |
| UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Development Program (UNDP) |
New York, NY |
| UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |
Paris, France |
| UN Environment Program (UNEP) |
Nairobi, Kenya |
| UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
Bonn, Germany |
| UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research institute (UNICRI) |
Turin, Italy |
| UN International Computing Centre (UNICC) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Office in Nairobi (UNON) |
Nairobi, Kenya |
| UN Office in Vienna (UNOV) |
Vienna, Austria |
| UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) |
Vienna, Austria |
| UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
New York, NY |
| UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) |
Gaza City |
| UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| UN Systems Staff College (UNSSC) |
Turin, Italy |
| UN University (UNU) |
Tokyo, Japan |
| UN Volunteers (UNV) |
Bonn, Germany |
| United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) |
New York, NY |
| World Bank Group |
Washington, DC |
| World Conservation Union (IUCN) |
Bonn, Germany |
| World Food Program (WFP) |
Rome, Italy |
| World Health Organization (WHO) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) |
Geneva, Switzerland |
United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
The UNV program, managed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), mobilizes volunteers for peace, development, and humanitarian efforts worldwide, typically for a minimum of one year. UNVs receive benefits, including travel, a monthly living allowance, health coverage, and annual leave. Applicants must be at least 25 years old, hold a college degree, and have two years of relevant experience.
UNV Recruitment Process
The UNV recruitment process varies from 4-12 weeks, with accelerated options for emergencies. Mechanisms like Accelerated Deployment and Direct Recruitment streamline placements for urgent needs, supporting critical operations. Recruitment and decision-making process stages can be accessed here. Interested applicants should visit the UNV portal for more information about vacancies.