United Nations Internship Programme (UN Secretariat)
About this internship
The UN Secretariat internship program places students and recent graduates inside UN departments in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and other duty stations, working on everything from political affairs and human rights to communications, logistics, and IT.
Internships are posted year-round as individual vacancies on the UN Careers portal, each with its own deadline, duration, and department, so the right approach is to set up alerts and apply to specific postings that match your profile.
Note that UN Secretariat internships are generally unpaid, so budget for living costs in the duty station before accepting an offer. Many UN agencies (UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and others) run separate internship schemes, some of which pay a stipend.
Who can apply
- Enrolled in a graduate program, in the final year of a bachelor's degree, or within one year of graduation
- Fluency in English or French (the UN working languages); other official languages are an asset
- Strong interest in the work of the United Nations
What you will do
- Support a UN department with research, drafting, and analysis
- Assist with meetings, events, and day-to-day operations
- Specific duties depend entirely on the vacancy
Perks and benefits
- Inside experience of the UN system
- Professional supervision and a completion certificate
- Network across international organizations
How to apply
- Create an Inspira profile on the UN Careers portal
- Search internship vacancies and filter by duty station and department
- Apply to specific postings with a tailored cover letter before each posting's deadline
Frequently asked questions
Is United Nations Internship Programme paid? +
According to this listing, the compensation is: Unpaid (Secretariat internships) Stipend amounts can change between intakes, so confirm the current figure on the official page before applying.
How long does United Nations Internship Programme last? +
The listed duration is 2 to 6 months depending on the posting.
When is the application deadline? +
This listing has a rolling: individual vacancies posted year-round, each with its own deadline deadline, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive rather than by a fixed date. Check the official page for any cycle-specific cutoffs.
Who can apply? +
Key eligibility points from this listing: Enrolled in a graduate program, in the final year of a bachelor's degree, or within one year of graduation; Fluency in English or French (the UN working languages); other official languages are an asset; Strong interest in the work of the United Nations. See the Eligibility section above for the full requirements.
How do I apply? +
Apply directly through the official portal linked on this page. Legitimate internships never charge an application fee, so treat any request for payment as a scam and use official channels only.
Answers are based on this internship's listed details. Always confirm on the official page.
