An internship is one of the most common ways to get a first foot inside the United Nations system. It will not hand you a job, but it gives you real exposure, a network, and a line on your CV that recruiters recognise. Here is how they work and how to land one.
What a UN internship is
UN internships are short placements, usually a few months, designed to give students and recent graduates practical experience of the organization’s work. They are normally full-time and can be based at headquarters, in regional or country offices, or increasingly carried out remotely.
Who is eligible
Most programmes require you to be enrolled in, or to have recently completed, a university degree, often at master’s level, though some accept final-year undergraduates. You will usually need to meet the language requirement in the vacancy, and student or recent-graduate status is commonly a condition.
Where to find them
Each organization advertises internships on its own careers portal, often in a dedicated internships section, so it pays to watch several agencies. Searching across the system in one place, as on this site, saves checking each portal by hand. You still apply on the official portal.
How to apply
Treat it like any UN application: tailor it to the role, draw on relevant coursework, projects and volunteering, and address the stated requirements directly. A clear motivation statement explaining why this team and this work matter to you goes a long way.
Are they paid?
Historically many UN internships were unpaid, and some still are, so budget for living costs, which are high in cities like Geneva and New York. A growing number of agencies now offer a stipend; always check the specific posting for what, if anything, it provides.
Making it count
Approach the internship as a long interview. Do excellent work, build relationships across the office, and ask about future opportunities. Note that an internship does not lead automatically to a job, and there is often a short period after it ends before you can be hired into a paid role.