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If you're thinking of entering the world of global peace, security or international development, an internship at the United Nations (UN) could be the ideal start for you. The primary goal of a UN internship is to give students and new graduates insight into the multifaceted work that the UN does through hands-on work.
The tricky part can be sorting out how to find the right internship—and then finding a way to shine above the competition. With agencies around the world—working in areas as diverse as human rights, humanitarian aid, maritime law and global security—the first step is often simply to get a sense of the scope of opportunities that are out there.
Once you know what types of work you’re interested in, you’ll need to focus on the details of determining if you are eligible, how to apply, when to apply, how to stand out and eventually how to fund your internship (as most don’t pay) and how to make the most of the experience.
Why intern within the UN System?
There's no question that the internship at UN looks good on any resume. However, in addition to providing you with an insider's understanding of how the UN works, it can also help you develop cross-cultural skills that will help you thrive in nearly any workplace.
“If you’re a young professional who wants to gain international work experience and develop skills in various sectors, this is the right place for a strong beginning,” says Elwira Zych. A former intern in the Office of Human Resources Management, Zych says his internship was an amazing journey of responsibility, accountability and professionalism.
It's also an unparalleled networking opportunity. You'll be exposed to a wide range of perspectives, cultures and global programs. You'll meet professionals working in your desired field and likely learn about careers that you didn't even know existed. According to Emma Jidinger, who interned at the UN Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), taking a short-term role at the UN gave her access to diverse forums and discussions, as well as national representatives, intergovernmental bodies and individual consultants.
"[It] not only opened my eyes to the many alternative career paths I may take, but it also provided me with great networking opportunities,” she wrote in a blog post for the Humanitarian Advisory Group. “It’s truly a door-opening environment, where you may very well meet your future employer.”
What's the structure of the UN—and why does it matter for prospective interns?
If the UN’s roles of maintaining global peace and security, and promoting international development sound complex, that’s because they are. Aspiring interns should take time to learn about the breadth of the UN system, which also includes six funds and programs:
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
• The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• World Food Programme (WFP)
There are also an additional 15 specialized agencies.
Headquarters are what they sound like: The main locations for funds and programs. These offices are usually located in North America or Europe, as is the case of the World Bank, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with headquarters in the USA, Switzerland and Spain, respectively.
Field offices are country and regional offices. These offices are linked to fieldwork and specific projects and are spread over Africa, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
“The system can seem overwhelming, but by scanning old ads I realized there were more diverse positions that focused on my interests—refugees and children—than I first realized,” says Leah Smith, who is currently in the process of applying for internships while completing a masters in public health. She's also found that joining social media groups—including Facebook’s United Nations Internship Network—has helped her narrow down where to apply.
To get a better sense of the wide range of options, you may also consider taking the free 11-hour online course, Diplomacy: The United Nations in the World, offered by SOAS in London.
“Not only does it give a fantastic overview of the UN, the fact it is offered by SOAS—one of the top colleges in the world for international relations studies—makes it a great addition to the CV of anyone applying for a job at the UN,” recommends Harvard Law’s Insider’s Guide to United Nations Jobs and Internships, a 39-page must-read for prospective interns.
How do I find UN internships?
The first place to look for internships is often UN Careers. This is the main site to advertise internship and job opportunities within the UN system, and includes positions with the UN Secretariat, UNEP, UN-HABITAT, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) among others.
However, the UN system tends to be quite decentralized and there are a variety of other sites that applicants should also be aware of:
• The World Bank site offers internships in development operations and business units.
• The UNDP is where interns may work in any of 170 countries and territories helping to achieve the eradication of poverty.
• UN Women, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and UNICEF also have their own job sites for internships.
There are a variety of courses available that can help demystify what to expect from the UN. The well-reviewed Udemy course, United Nations Jobs Guide, helps break down what types of positions are out there and how to find and apply for them.
What does an intern do at the UN?
There are usually two categories of activities conducted by an intern: research activities and administrative support activities. Positions may be part-time or full-time five days per week (35 hours) and work is done under the supervision of a staff member in the division or office to which you’re assigned. Most internships last for at least two months and can be as long as six months.
Over the past couple of years, some internships were moved to virtual platforms—and this change is expected to continue for some positions.
Beyond this, the work is incredibly varied. A position with the Environment Office of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific might conduct research on energy security and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, a role with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) might involve procuring core relief items including fuel, cookstoves and portable solar lamps with mobile charging for refugee camps.
What are the requirements to apply for a UN internship?
Most positions have similar education requirements.
Applicants must be enrolled in graduate school; the final academic year of a bachelor’s degree; or start an internship within one year of university graduation. There may also be specific language requirements; typically written and spoken proficiency in at least one, and preferably two of the organization’s working languages.
Applicants should also have a demonstrable interest in the work being done by the organization.
How do I make my UN internship application stand out?
It can pay to be persistent and apply for as many positions as possible and not just the safe choices, says Celina Gleisner, who blogged about her internship as a director’s assistant for the Training and development section of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in New York.
“I applied for 10 different internships at the United Nations. Some would start in a month and others in a year. One was in Baghdad, another in Bern,” she writes. “If there are several positions that interest you, apply to all.”
She says while filling out applications can be time-consuming, one indication that you are on the right track is that applications should become easier to write. But rather than kicking tires, you should still apply for the internships with intentionality. “Make sure you know why you want to do it, says Gleisner. "Be concrete and honest with your motivation."
Likewise, the Harvard Insider’s Guide cautions that while applying for multiple positions is important, you should always tailor your application and cover letter, with strong examples of why you are a fit for each position: "Recruiters like to see details about an applicant‘s background and want applicants to substantiate general statements about themselves with examples of what they have done.”
As you write your applications, keep it mind that before your CV makes it into the hands of a hiring manager, it’s most likely going to be assessed by the computer-aided staff selection system, or a program known as UN's Inspira. To have the best chance of getting through the first round of computer-aided selections, UN Staff recommends you study and follow the applicant’s manual.
To really make your application shine it may also be worth paying for an application writing class with the United Career Coalition, an organization that focuses solely on offering insider advice for applications, recruitment and selection processes for UN System positions.
Current intern Beth Ngwanda says having her CV rewritten to make sure it met the requirements of a computerized resume scanner made all the difference.
“I’d applied for a dozen positions and got no response. After going through my university’s jobs centre and redoing my CV, I got the call,” she says.
If you don’t have access to in-person assistance for resume development there are tools online (like Jobscan, Resume Worded Resume Worded or SkillSyncer) that can help you.
How do I prepare for a UN internship interview?
First, check with your academic advisor or keep an eye out for recruiter and internship events at your post-secondary institution, including those advertised by the Canadian Bureau for International Education. For Natalie Vanderlaan-Meyering, who interned at the UN Human Rights Council, attending these types of events helped her know what to expect.
“I wouldn’t have known the right questions to ask during my interview, let alone even applied to the program, if it wasn’t for two visiting speakers who came to [my university in New York],” she says.
After applying and making it through the selection rounds, the next step is the interview. Lamia Farah worked as a communications intern at UNICEF and produced a series of YouTube videos covering her journey from application to internship. She says often the only interview information you get is a Zoom link and time—which can make it challenging to prepare.
However, you can expect each interview to last 30 to 45 minutes and follow roughly the same format. You'll likely be interview by a panel of individuals from all the departments your intern position might be assigned to.
Questions will be split into two parts. First, you'll be asked about the specific skills you'll need and how you can demonstrate them. The second part will more generally focus on your motivation for applying, your expectations for the day-to-day workload, and how you'll fare in a challenging international environment. Then, you'll have your opportunity to ask your own questions. Farah says this is where it's important to clarify the role's responsibilities, the specific project's timelines and what they use as indicators of success.
Do UN interns get paid?
Most United Nations interns are not paid. All costs related to travel, health insurance, lodging and daily expenses must be borne by either the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Because of this, close to 50 per cent of all UN Secretariat interns come from seven wealthy countries.
Ildem Esin, a former intern at the NYC HQ, knew early on that she wanted to intern for the UN and pursue a career in diplomacy. She began researching early and realized one of her biggest obstacles was going to be being able to afford an internship in New York. She suggests planning ahead, doing the math and building up a financial cushion.
However, Esin believes that internships should be paid. “Unpaid internships shouldn’t be tolerated. Especially not by organizations that advocate for universal human rights and should be at the forefront of diversity, equity and inclusion work,” she says.
After struggling to afford her own internship, she decided it was important to her to offer education and support to other interns. By co-founding The Intern’s Foundation, Esin says she wanted to create a resource “to encourage equitable access to the UN.” Part of this mandate is keeping track of the paid opportunities on the foundation’s website.
Fortunately, the UN is making some progress and prospective interns who want to be paid can look for positions in the approximately 19 UN organizations that are now offering some degree of compensation. Entities such as the World Food Programme (WFP), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Labour Organization (ILO), World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), WHO and UNDP have begun providing their interns with stipends.
Some agencies, including UNICEF, offer both paid and unpaid positions. The World Bank and IMF Internships are reported to be among the best paid. The World Bank Group pays between USD$20 and USD$30 per hour. In turn, the IMF offers their interns up to USD $ 5,000 per month and may pay for travel costs. The average rate for paid internships is lower and often not enough to cover all costs (between USD $ 1,000 and USD $ 1,300 per month).
Can I get a scholarship for my UN internship?
There are several organizations that offer internship funding, but they can be difficult to find, as many are country-specific foundations that focus on their own citizens.
To find a funding body the first step is often checking with your school; some offer scholarships or stipends. Then you might try country-specific organizations. The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy under the International Youth Internship Program, offers intern stipends that cover food, lodging and ground transportation, as well as money for vaccines, insurance, visa costs and airfare.
The Intern’s Foundation (TIF) advocates for pay for all interns but also offers access to stipends and resources, such as a mentorship program and a podcast.
“Interns need money, funding and opportunities now. We created The Intern’s Foundation to be able to offer tangible opportunities so that individuals who want an internship in the UN are able to do so because there are solutions within reach, such as a stipend, career opportunities or virtual networking events,” says co-founder Dana Rodriguez, past UNEP intern at Geneva HQ.
Interns who don’t get funding may also be able to get a work visa for an outside-paying job during their internship. Internships can also count toward credits and save on some university expenses—making them more affordable.
Start your application process early and check with your school for funding assistance. You may also be able to get academic credit for your internship, cutting your tuition costs. “I had my internship recognized by the University of Houston sociology department, which counted towards my university classes and prerequisites,” says former part-time American Red Cross intern Nikki Garza.
While it can seem overwhelming to apply for an internship within the UN System, each year thousands of applicants are successful in finding the right position. While the system can be complex to navigate, successful applicants say the biggest challenge is often simply getting your application to the right person.
The trick is to be methodical with your research at every step of the process. Don't skim through the parts that sound irrelevant or let's be honest—boring. Read through the guides, research the job openings and make sure you know what the organization is looking for. Then it’s time to put together a stellar application that shines.
For many interns, working for the UN is a life-changing experience. Not only do you have the chance to apply your academic learning to a real-world experience, but you can expand your understanding of your field of study. For most interns, it offers a look at the world they want to work in one day and gets them started along that path.
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