The OECD offers two distinct ways to build an international career in economic and social policy: a well-known internship programme and a more advanced entry route called the Junior Professional Programme (JPP). Both are open to candidates of all nationalities, which makes them genuinely different from many government organisations, and both are funded. The OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, is based in Paris and works on policy across nearly forty member countries plus many partner economies, so interns and junior professionals join a genuinely global policy environment.

This guide explains how OECD internships work, what the Junior Professional Programme is, who is eligible for each, and how to make your application competitive.

Key takeaways

How OECD internships work

The OECD internship programme places students in its policy directorates, where they contribute to research, analysis, event support and communications. Interns work with experienced analysts on projects that feed into real OECD output, such as country reviews, working papers and statistical reports. Assignments typically run from one to six months and can sometimes be renewed, with many interns joining for three months over the summer.

Eligibility is broad. You need to be enrolled in a full-time degree programme or to have graduated within the past two years, and you should have a good command of one of the OECD's working languages, most often English, with French a strong advantage. There is no age limit and no citizenship requirement.

Is the OECD internship paid?

Yes. OECD interns receive a monthly allowance intended to cover the cost of living in Paris, which is widely reported to be around one thousand euros per month, though you should confirm the current figure on the official programme page. Interns are also expected to arrange their own accommodation and travel, so the allowance is a contribution rather than a full salary. You are not an employee of the OECD, and the internship does not automatically lead to a staff contract, though it is an excellent entry signal.

What is the Junior Professional Programme?

The Junior Professional Programme is the OECD's structured route for recent graduates who want to work at the organisation. It is a paid, two-year fixed-term appointment at a junior analyst level, and JPP participants carry real responsibility from the start, contributing to directorate work, country reviews and policy research. The salary is a proper OECD salary with benefits, not an intern allowance.

The programme is open to candidates from all OECD member countries and partner economies, and to both university graduates and those with a few years of early-career experience. Selection is competitive and usually involves an online assessment and interviews, and participants are expected to relocate to Paris unless the assignment is elsewhere.

How the application process works

Both routes are managed through the OECD careers website at oecd.org/careers, and the process for each is different.

Applying for an internship

Internship vacancies are posted on the OECD careers site, often with rolling deadlines. Create a profile, upload a tailored CV and cover letter, and apply to specific openings rather than submitting a general application. Because demand for OECD internships is high, applications that connect the applicant's coursework to a specific directorate's priorities stand out.

Applying for the JPP

The Junior Professional Programme has its own recruitment cycle, with applications opening for a defined period each year. The process typically includes an online application with motivation questions, a technical assessment, and structured interviews. Prepare by studying the OECD's current priorities, from climate and digitalisation to education and employment, and be ready to discuss how your skills map to real OECD projects.

Making your application competitive

The OECD works in policy analysis, so your application needs to demonstrate analytical writing. Highlight coursework, theses or prior work where you handled data, wrote policy briefs or produced research reports, and name the relevant OECD work streams you would like to contribute to. Language skills matter, so list every language you can work in, not just the ones you are fluent in.

Your cover letter should read like a short statement of purpose, explaining why the OECD, why this team and why you. Our guide to writing a winning statement of purpose walks through the same structure, and our advice on building a competitive profile applies directly to international applications like this one.

Practical considerations

Paris is an expensive city, so budget carefully before accepting an internship, and start your visa research early if you need one. The OECD can provide documentation to support visa applications, but the responsibility for obtaining a visa sits with you. For a general walkthrough, see our student visa guide.

Both the internship and the JPP reward persistence. The OECD receives thousands of applications for a limited number of places, so it is normal not to be selected on the first attempt, and many successful candidates applied across several cycles.

How to apply: next steps

Create your profile on oecd.org/careers this week and set up a calendar reminder to check new internship postings. Identify two or three directorates that fit your interests, tailor your CV and cover letter to each, and apply early in the cycle. If you meet the JPP eligibility window, prepare your application materials well before the deadline and practise for the assessment.

While you wait, keep building the skills the OECD values. For more funded policy and research opportunities, browse our internships hub and our guide to funded summer research internships abroad.