UNFPA, the lead United Nations agency working for a world where every childbirth is safe, is accepting applications to its Global Internship Roster for internship opportunities in 2026, until 31 December 2026. Students and recent graduates can apply, and interns without outside funding are eligible for a stipend. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the roster's eligibility rules and conditions below.
What the UNFPA Global Internship Roster Is For
The position is described simply as internship opportunities with UNFPA in 2026, and the roster is listed under multiple locations. The stipend rules refer to the intern's agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements.
The Mission Interns Would Be Supporting
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 sets out the organization's response to a complex global environment and provides a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Four Outcomes Behind UNFPA's Work
The mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes:
👪 Ending the unmet need for family planning
🏥 Ending preventable maternal deaths
🛑 Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices
📈 Adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies
Which Students and Graduates Can Apply
To meet the educational requirements, applicants must fall into one of these four situations:
🎓 Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor's degree or equivalent) and have completed one full academic year
📚 Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master's programme or higher)
📜 Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, start the internship within one year of graduation
🏫 Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional trainee programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme
Other Eligibility Requirements
Beyond the educational criteria, applicants must:
🔭 Demonstrate interest in the field of development
🗣️ Demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in at least one of the working languages of the United Nations (English or French)
🔤 Demonstrate fluency in the official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish) of the UNFPA office
🧳 Demonstrate the ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds
Family Connection Rule
An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a UNFPA staff member is not eligible for an internship with UNFPA.
Values UNFPA Expects From Interns
The required competencies start with four values:
🛡️ Exemplifying integrity
🏛️ Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
🌐 Embracing cultural diversity
🔄 Embracing change
Core Competencies for the Roster
UNFPA also lists five core competencies:
🎯 Achieving results
📋 Being accountable
🧠 Developing and applying professional expertise and business acumen
🧩 Thinking analytically and strategically
👥 Working in teams and managing ourselves and our relationships
Stipend and Financial Support
Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party (such as an academic institution, university or government) are eligible to receive a stipend as a contribution towards living expenses.
📍 The stipend is based on the intern's agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements
💱 It is normally paid in local currency at the end of each month
If you are comparing this roster with other funded placements, our guide to paid internships abroad for students and recent graduates explains how funded options work. To check how this kind of placement differs from similar programmes, read fellowship vs internship vs traineeship.
Work Environment and Diversity at UNFPA
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. The organization says it is committed to ensuring gender parity and therefore encourages women to apply.
Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity, and describes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as being at the heart of its workforce.
No Application or Recruitment Fees
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
More openings for students and recent graduates are available in the internship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the UNFPA Global Internship Roster?
Applicants must be enrolled in a first university degree programme with one full academic year completed, enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme, recently graduated, or enrolled in a postgraduate professional trainee programme. Recent graduates must start the internship within one year of graduation if selected.
Can recent graduates join the UNFPA internship roster?
Yes. Recent graduates with a university degree can apply, provided that they start the internship within one year of graduation if they are selected.
Is the UNFPA internship paid?
Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party, such as a university, academic institution or government, are eligible to receive a stipend as a contribution towards living expenses. The stipend is based on the agreed place of work and is normally paid in local currency at the end of each month.
What languages are required for a UNFPA internship?
Applicants need written and spoken proficiency in at least one UN working language, English or French. They also need fluency in the official language of the UNFPA office, which is Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
Can I apply if a relative works at UNFPA?
An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a UNFPA staff member is not eligible for an internship with UNFPA.
Can a UNFPA internship be remote?
The stipend rules mention remote arrangements, stating that the intern's agreed place of work may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in those cases.
Does UNFPA charge a fee to apply for the internship?
No. UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee at any stage of the application or recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Link
🔗 Application: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2003/job/31319/?utm_medium=jobshare
