UN internships are a common goal for students interested in international development, human rights and global policy, and they are more accessible than many people assume. The United Nations runs internships across dozens of agencies and field offices, and several of the best-known bodies, UNICEF, UNDP and UNHCR, advertise roles year-round for students and recent graduates from anywhere in the world. The catch is that the system is decentralised: each agency posts its own vacancies, sets its own eligibility rules, and decides whether interns are paid.

This guide cuts through the confusion and explains which UN internships are paid, who is eligible, where to apply, and how to build an application that actually gets read.

Key takeaways

The basics of UN internships

Most UN agencies accept interns who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme, or who have graduated within the past two years. You usually need to be at least eighteen, and you generally need fluency in at least one working language, most often English. Beyond that, requirements depend on the role: research positions want strong analytical writing, communications roles want portfolio-ready skills, and programme roles often look for field-relevant coursework.

Interns are not UN staff. The arrangement is an experiential learning opportunity, which is exactly why funding policies vary so much across the system.

Which UN internships are paid?

This is the question everyone asks first, and the honest answer is that it depends on the agency.

UNICEF internships

UNICEF internships are paid. UNICEF provides a monthly stipend to all interns, except where an intern is sponsored by an academic institution, and where funding is available it also offers a one-time lump sum toward travel and visa costs. Roles are posted on UNICEF's careers site throughout the year and typically run from six to twenty-six weeks.

UNDP internships

UNDP pays a monthly stipend to interns who are not already funded by a university or another sponsor, and the amount varies by duty station, with higher rates in expensive cities. Vacancies appear on the UNDP jobs portal on a rolling basis.

UNHCR internships

UNHCR operates a mandatory stipend policy for interns who do not receive external funding, and it reimburses return travel for eligible interns travelling from abroad. Candidates must be at least eighteen and fluent in at least one UN working language. Listings appear on UNHCR's careers pages.

The wider UN system

Some other UN bodies, particularly parts of the UN Secretariat, still advertise unpaid internships, so always read the vacancy before investing time in an application. A paid or unpaid label is not a signal of quality; it is a funding decision made by each office.

Where and how to apply

There is no single UN application form. UNICEF posts on unicef.org/careers, UNDP on jobs.undp.org, UNHCR on unhcr.org/careers, and many bodies also advertise on the central careers.un.org portal. Each vacancy has its own deadline, so the practical approach is to check the agency portals regularly and apply to roles that genuinely match your background.

Vacancies close when filled, and shortlists are often drawn quickly, so applying within days of a posting is a real advantage. Set aside time each week to scan the portals and apply early.

Building a strong UN application

UN recruiters read a lot of generic applications, and specificity wins. Tailor your CV and cover letter to the exact duty station, team and mandate of the vacancy, and name the agency's current programmes where relevant. Quantify your experience: instead of "assisted with events", write "coordinated logistics for a fifty-participant workshop".

For roles that involve writing, policy analysis or programme work, treat your cover letter like a short statement of purpose: explain why this agency, why this role, and why you. Our guides on writing a winning statement of purpose and building a competitive scholarship profile cover the same skills, and they transfer directly to UN applications.

Practical considerations

Even when a stipend is offered, it is rarely generous, and it may not cover the full cost of living in a city like Geneva or New York, so plan your budget before you accept an offer. Ask the agency whether the role is in person, hybrid or remote, and clarify visa support early, because agencies vary in how much they can help with paperwork.

Finally, be aware that a UN internship does not guarantee a UN job afterwards. It is a strong credential and a networking opportunity, but entry-level UN positions are extremely competitive, so treat the internship as one step in a longer plan rather than a destination.

How to apply: next steps

Build a clean, tailored CV and a cover letter template now, then start scanning the UNICEF, UNDP and UNHCR portals. Identify three or four roles that fit your profile, write each application individually, and submit within the first week of each vacancy being posted. If you are not selected, reapply for the next cycle; many successful UN interns applied several times.

For more ideas on funded international opportunities, browse our internships hub and our guide to finding opportunities you are actually eligible for.