UNESCO is accepting applications until 31 December 2026 (midnight) for internships of 1 to 6 months with its Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS), covering audit, investigation and evaluation work, with a duty station at Headquarters, Field Offices and Institutes and the Paris, France location. Applicants must be at least 20 years old, and the internship is unpaid. This is a talent pool vacancy, not a specific opening. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full notice and set out every task, requirement and condition below.
What the Division of Internal Oversight Services Does
The Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) provides the Director-General with an independent and objective assurance that programmes are delivered efficiently and effectively, that strategic management information is reliable and timely, and that continuous improvements are fostered in methods and procedures to enhance the quality and impact of UNESCO's operations.
IOS is responsible for planning and delivering internal audits, investigations and evaluations of the Organization's activities, including field operations. Please note that this is a talent pool vacancy: you apply to join UNESCO's pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening, and there is no guarantee of placement.
The posting terms are as follows. Type of contract: Internship. Duty station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes. Duration of contract: 1 to 6 months. Application deadline: 31 December 2026 (Midnight). UNESCO core values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism.
The Role of the Intern
Under the overall guidance and authority of the Director of the Division of Internal Oversight Services, and the supervision of the Heads of Audit, Investigation and Evaluation Offices, the intern performs functions that support the development of strategies for safeguarding and protecting the Organization's interests in pursuit of its goals and objectives.
The intern works in close collaboration with the Audit, Investigation and Evaluation team, embraces a client-oriented approach with a high level of integrity, and models UNESCO values and ideals. The intern adheres to the endeavours of the Division to promote accountability and professionalism and to foster a culture of learning and improvement.
Activities vary depending on the requirements of the assignment, and specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives form part of the Agreement. The incumbent may perform the duties below as per the specific requirements and needs of each team.
Audit Duties
📋 Work closely with the Audit team and assist in conducting the audit of selected operations of Headquarters, Field Offices and Information Technology Systems
🧾 Assist in gathering audit evidence to formulate the audit plan or research plan
🗄️ Assist the team in the examination of records, documents or assets
💹 Assist in analyzing financial and other data
📝 Contribute to documenting audit findings and drafting parts of the audit reports
🧰 Contribute to the development of internal methodology, tools and techniques to ensure excellence in the conduct of audits
🔁 Assist in following up on management responses and implementation of audit recommendations, and in facilitating effective and timely planning, monitoring and reporting
📌 Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Internal Audit
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Investigation Duties
📐 Assist with the development of relevant policies and operational procedures pertaining to administrative investigations
🧩 Assist with the development of core systems supporting the investigation function
🚨 Support the investigation function in assessing allegations of misconduct and irregularities (for example fraud, corruption, mismanagement and harassment)
📂 Assist in reviewing cases reported to IOS
🖊️ Assist in drafting documents and communications with respect to cases under investigation, including investigation plans, witness statements, investigation reports, closure reports and other documents
🎙️ Assist in conducting interviews with subjects, complainants or witnesses
🕵️ Assist in identifying, collating and analyzing potential evidence, including carrying out open-source research and forensic reviews
🔖 Assist with the editing and review of investigation reports and other documents to ensure that citations to evidence are accurate and complete
📌 Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Investigations
Evaluation Duties
🧭 Support the Evaluation function in assessing the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, coherence and performance of UNESCO programmes and projects
📈 Assist the Office in carrying out corporate evaluations of UNESCO's programmes and thematic areas, particularly with data collection and analysis and the presentation of evaluation findings in various formats (reports, briefs, presentations and others)
🤝 Support decentralized evaluations managed by other UNESCO entities by providing technical backstopping on ongoing evaluations and liaising with Evaluation Focal Points to ensure compliance with UNESCO's Evaluation Policy
🎨 Support the dissemination of evaluation findings and recommendations by developing graphically designed reports, smart knowledge products and other communication pieces
📌 Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Evaluation
Learning Objectives
The assignment is expected to give the intern the opportunity to develop skills in some of the following areas, depending on the needs of the team during the internship:
🏛️ Learn about UNESCO's structure and mandate
⚖️ Understand the oversight functions of an international organization
💼 Experience first-hand the day-to-day working environment of the Organization and work directly with inspiring career professionals
✏️ Acquire and strengthen skills in research, writing and communication
🔢 Develop knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods while carrying out research
🤲 Develop soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and work ethics
🗺️ Understand the policy development process
🌍 Learn to work in a multicultural environment and adapt to different working cultures of Member States
The intern also gains an understanding of the overall work of UNESCO and the opportunity to develop soft skills of the UNESCO Competency Framework, in particular teamwork, flexibility, communication and client-focus.
Core and Managerial Competencies
UNESCO lists the following competencies, marked (C) for core and (M) for managerial:
🗨️ Communication (C)
🧾 Accountability (C)
✨ Innovation (C)
🔁 Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
🎯 Results focus (C)
🧩 Teamwork (C)
🎓 Professionalism (C)
🔄 Driving and managing change (M)
🌟 Leading and empowering others (M)
🧠 Making quality decisions (M)
📏 Managing performance (M)
♟️ Strategic thinking (M)
Minimum Age and Academic Conditions
You must be at least 20 years old to apply. On the academic side, you must meet one of the following conditions:
🎓 Be currently enrolled and on 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 indicated on your diploma
Applicants in technical or vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical or vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.
Language and Professional Skills
🗣️ Languages: an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French
🇫🇷 A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters
💻 Computer skills: an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software
🤲 Team player: you should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment
📢 Communication skills: strong interpersonal and communication skills
Leave, Insurance and Pay
UNESCO does not remunerate interns, and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise, for internship assignments. If you are weighing formats, our guide to the difference between fellowships, internships and traineeships explains how each works.
🏖️ Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship
🩹 Interns are provided with a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship
Obligations Before and During the Internship
📆 Duration: the minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months
🛂 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 a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship; UNESCO only provides a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship
🪪 Supporting documents: before the beginning of your internship, you must provide proof of your identity (ID card or passport), a Certificate of Enrollment, a Transcript of Record, or a Diploma if you have just recently graduated
🏖️ Leave: interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship
📝 Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (for example, conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions; the internship arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern, and only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO is executed and signed by UNESCO representatives
Pool Selection and Hiring Process
Candidates shall apply to this vacancy notice, or to any of the available vacancy notices that match their expertise, domain or interest. You are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening.
Candidates who successfully applied stay in the intern talent pool and are further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers. The candidature is valid for 6 months, and selected candidates are contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. If the candidate does not receive any update from UNESCO within six months, it means that the application has not been successful.
Application Tips From the Notice
⏲️ During the application process you will be asked to answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any) and interests, and you only have 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
⚠️ Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement: UNESCO receives more applications from qualified candidates than it can place
🌏 Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in the internship portal for a period of six months
🔕 UNESCO does not respond to each and every candidate: if there is an internship opening and you are selected, the manager contacts you directly from the pool; if you receive no update within six months, your application has not been successful
Browse more UN and international organisation placements in the internship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNESCO IOS internship paid?
No. UNESCO does not remunerate interns, and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise. You must also arrange and finance your own travel and hold comprehensive health insurance.
What does the Division of Internal Oversight Services do?
IOS provides the Director-General with independent and objective assurance that programmes are delivered efficiently and effectively, that strategic management information is reliable and timely, and that continuous improvements are fostered. It plans and delivers internal audits, investigations and evaluations, including of field operations.
Which areas can I work in?
Depending on the team, the duties fall under Audit, Investigation or Evaluation. Each has its own list of tasks, and the Terms of Reference and learning objectives form part of the Agreement.
Who supervises the intern?
The intern works under the overall guidance of the Director of the Division of Internal Oversight Services and under the supervision of the Heads of Audit, Investigation or Evaluation Offices.
Am I applying for a specific opening?
No. You apply to become part of the pool of intern candidates, and the candidature is valid for 6 months.
Who can apply?
You must be at least 20 years old, meet one of the academic conditions (third or final year of a Bachelor's, a second degree, Master's or PhD, or a recent graduate within 12 months) and have an excellent command of English or French.
What if I hear nothing from UNESCO?
UNESCO does not respond to every candidate. If you receive no update within six months, your application has not been successful.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026 (Midnight)
Link
🔗 Official UNESCO vacancy and application: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Paris-INTERNSHIP-Division-of-Internal-Oversight-Services/1347780957/
