UNESCO is accepting applications to its Division of Financial Services Internship, a placement of 1 to 6 months at Headquarters, Field Offices or Institutes. This is an application to join the intern talent pool, not to a specific internship opening, and placement is not guaranteed. Applications close on 31 December 2026 (midnight), and you must be at least 20 years old. UNESCO does not remunerate interns. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy notice and set out every requirement, entitlement and step below.
This Is a Talent Pool Application
You apply to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening. Candidates who apply successfully stay in the intern talent pool and are further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers.
⏱️ Your candidature is valid for 6 months.
📞 Selected candidates are contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager.
📭 If you receive no update from UNESCO within six months, your application has not been successful.
⚠️ Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement; UNESCO receives more applications from qualified candidates than it can place.
About the Division of Financial Services
The Division of Financial Services (FIN) is responsible for ensuring the sound financial management of UNESCO's resources and supporting the Organization's programme delivery through effective financial policies, controls, reporting, treasury operations, accounting and financial analysis. Under the overall supervision of the designated supervisor within the Division, the intern contributes to its work and gains practical experience in the financial management processes of an international organization.
The internship is a placement with UNESCO, a United Nations specialized agency, at Headquarters, Field Offices and Institutes, lasting 1 to 6 months; the preferred duration for the Division of Financial Services is 3 to 6 months. UNESCO's core values are Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity and Professionalism.
What the Intern May Do
Depending on the needs of the assigned team, the intern may be involved in one or more of these activities:
🔢 Assist in the collection, validation and analysis of financial data and information.
📑 Support the preparation of financial reports, dashboards, presentations and briefing materials.
🧾 Contribute to the review and reconciliation of financial records and supporting documentation.
📉 Assist in monitoring budget implementation and expenditure trends.
🏦 Support treasury, finance and accounting, financial reporting and/or internal control and compliance activities, as applicable.
🔁 Participate in process improvement initiatives, including documentation of procedures and workflows.
🔎 Conduct research and benchmarking on financial management practices within the United Nations system and other international organizations.
✉️ Assist in the preparation of correspondence, meeting documentation and technical materials.
👥 Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions on financial management issues.
🧰 Perform other related tasks as required by the supervisor.
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Learning Objectives
The internship is expected to give the intern the opportunity to:
🏫 Gain practical knowledge of financial management in a United Nations specialized agency.
📖 Develop an understanding of UNESCO's financial regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
🧠 Strengthen analytical, quantitative and reporting skills through practical assignments.
🖥️ Acquire experience in financial systems, budget monitoring and financial reporting processes.
🗣️ Develop professional communication and stakeholder engagement skills in a multicultural environment.
🛡️ Enhance understanding of accountability, transparency and internal control mechanisms in international organizations.
🇺🇳 Gain exposure to the work of UNESCO and the broader United Nations system.
🎯 Develop core competencies including teamwork, communication, planning and organizing, results focus and knowledge sharing.
Competencies
The vacancy lists these core competencies: Communication, Accountability, Innovation, Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, Results focus, Teamwork and Professionalism.
Required Qualifications
🎂 Age: you must be at least 20 years old to apply.
🎓 Academic qualifications: you must meet one of the following:
📘 Be currently enrolled and in the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor's degree.
📗 Be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent.
📕 Have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree no more than 12 months prior to the issuance of the Internship Agreement, as determined by the completion date on your diploma.
🛠️ Applicants in technical or vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical or vocational institution and have reached the last year of their studies, or have graduated within the last 12 months from their school or institution.
🗣️ Languages: an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at Headquarters.
💻 Computer skills: excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. Knowledge of ERP systems (for example SAP), data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) or data analysis software is an advantage.
🤝 Team player: you should work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.
💬 Communication: strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Preferred Fields of Study
📒 Accounting
💶 Finance
🏢 Business Administration
📊 Economics
🏛️ Public Administration
🗂️ Management
📈 Data Analytics
🔐 Information Systems related to Finance
🔗 Other closely related disciplines
Skills and Competencies
➗ Strong analytical and numerical skills.
🔍 Attention to detail and accuracy.
🌐 Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
📣 Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
🤫 Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Desirable Qualifications
🧮 Previous academic or practical experience in accounting, budgeting, treasury, audit, financial reporting or data analysis.
📏 Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or international accounting frameworks.
🏷️ Familiarity with United Nations system organizations and their financial management environment.
Benefits and Entitlements
UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise, for internship assignments.
🌴 Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.
🩺 Interns are provided with limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability or death incurred during the internship and directly attributable to its execution.
Things to Keep in Mind
🛂 Visa: you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.
✈️ Travel: you must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.
🏥 Medical insurance: you must show proof of comprehensive health insurance valid in the country of the internship and for the entire period. UNESCO only provides limited workplace insurance coverage.
🪪 Supporting documents: before the internship begins, you must provide proof of identity (ID card or passport) and a Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma if you have just recently graduated.
📝 Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (such as conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions. Only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO is executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.
Before You Apply
⏳ During the application process you answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any) and interests. You have only one hour to finish the process.
📬 Make sure your contact details will be valid in the next 6 months.
🌐 You can only use either English or French in applying.
🔤 Provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.
🤷 UNESCO does not respond to each and every candidate; if there is an opening and you are selected, the manager contacts you directly from the pool.
📂 Your application is accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and stays in the internship portal for six months.
🔁 You may apply to this vacancy notice or to any of the available vacancy notices that match your expertise, domain or interest.
Find more placements like this one in the internship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNESCO Division of Financial Services internship paid?
No. UNESCO does not remunerate interns, and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise, for internship assignments.
Is this a specific internship opening?
No. You apply to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific opening. Hiring managers assess and select candidates from the pool, and there is no guarantee of placement.
How long does the internship last?
The minimum duration is one month and the maximum is six months. The preferred duration for the Division of Financial Services is 3 to 6 months.
How long is my application valid?
Your candidature stays in the intern talent pool for 6 months. If you receive no update from UNESCO within six months, the application has not been successful.
Who can apply?
You must be at least 20 years old and either be enrolled in the third or final year of a Bachelor's degree, be enrolled in a second university degree, Master's or PhD, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD no more than 12 months before the Internship Agreement is issued.
Which fields of study are preferred?
Preferred fields include Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Management, Data Analytics, Information Systems related to Finance and other closely related disciplines.
What languages do I need?
An excellent command, written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language is an asset.
Do I need my own insurance and travel?
Yes. You must show proof of comprehensive health insurance valid for the whole internship and arrange and finance your own travel and visa. UNESCO only provides limited workplace insurance coverage.
Youth Works Hub publishes new internships at international organisations as they open, so check back for similar roles.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Link
🔗 Apply: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Multiple-INTERNSHIP-Division-of-Financial-Services/1371236357/
