UNESCO is accepting applications until 31 December 2026 (midnight) for internships of 1 to 6 months with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), 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.
About IOC/UNESCO
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) is the United Nations body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together to protect the health of our shared ocean by coordinating programmes in areas such as ocean observations, tsunami warnings and marine spatial planning. IOC/UNESCO has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to coordinate implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 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.
Areas of Activity Covered by IOC/UNESCO
The areas include (not exhaustive):
🧪 Ocean science with a focus on issues including ocean acidification, blue carbon, harmful algal blooms and marine pollution
📡 Ocean observations
🗃️ Ocean data, information and knowledge management
🎓 Capacity development
🗺️ Sustainable ocean planning and marine spatial planning
🇺🇳 Engagement with United Nations programmes, frameworks and initiatives related to the ocean
🔗 Strengthening of the science-policy-society interface
🐟 Large marine ecosystems
📖 Ocean literacy and education
📢 Ocean science communications
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What Interns Work On
The intern has the opportunity to learn and support the overall work of the Sector's mission. Activities vary depending on the requirements of the assignment, and specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives form part of the contract. The work entrusted to interns falls under one or more of the following categories as per the requirements and needs of each team.
Programme and Project Support
📊 Collect, organize and analyze data
📝 Contribute to the production and preparation of documents, working papers and conceptual framework or concept notes
🛠️ Assist in the development of technical support in the development of new interventions or projects
Research and Knowledge Management
🔬 Undertake specific research and reviews to produce well defined aspects or segments of work products, including publications, documents and project proposals
📚 Contribute to the preparation of knowledge and communication products, and materials for advocacy and outreach, related to the area of work
🎤 Participate in meetings and seminars
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
🤝 Analyze and compile background data for potential partnerships and resource mobilisation initiatives
🌐 Support engagement of stakeholders and partners in IOC activities, for example through the Ocean Decade Network
👥 Support facilitation of scientific and non-scientific working groups and partner networks
Operations Support
🗓️ Provide administrative and logistical support in the planning and organization of meetings, events, workshops and conferences in coordination with other staff
🧮 Support the preparation of specific budgets, financial and accounting documents, and project documentation and evaluation
📇 Support the management of data and contacts related to the Ocean Decade and the ecosystem of endorsed Ocean Decade Actions
✅ Support processing of requests for endorsement of Decade Actions
Communications Support
📣 Support to drafting, preparation and dissemination of communications assets
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:
⚓ Understand the approach to developing and managing diverse projects related to ocean and coastal issues
🏛️ Understand multilateral processes
📈 Build skills in data analyses and management
🤝 Build skills in partnership development and management
📡 Gain insight into development and implementation of ocean science communication and information projects
🧭 Understand the context of global, regional and national policy related to the ocean, including the role of international organizations through their work in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, enhancing human and institutional capacities and facilitating cooperation
🛠️ Understand international project management through learning-by-doing approaches
✏️ Acquire and strengthen skills in research, writing and communication
🤲 Develop soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and work ethic
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.
Competencies You Will Be Assessed On
UNESCO lists the following competencies for this internship:
🗨️ Communication
🧾 Accountability
✨ Innovation
🔁 Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
🎯 Results focus
🧩 Teamwork
🎓 Professionalism
Who Qualifies: Age and Degree Status
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 Soft Skills Required
🗣️ 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
What Interns Receive
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
What to Plan For: Visa, Travel, Insurance and Paperwork
📆 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
From the Candidate Pool to Placement
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 Process Notes
⏲️ 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
Find more placements in science and policy in the internship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IOC/UNESCO internship paid?
No. UNESCO does not remunerate interns, and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise. You arrange and finance your own travel and must hold comprehensive health insurance.
What is the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission?
IOC/UNESCO is the United Nations body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services. It enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in areas such as ocean observations, tsunami warnings and marine spatial planning.
What categories of work can interns do?
The work falls under one or more of programme and project support, research and knowledge management, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, operations support, and communications support.
Where does the internship take place?
The vacancy lists Headquarters, Field Offices and Institutes as the duty station. Your placement depends on the hiring manager who selects you from the pool.
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 UNESCO does not contact me?
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/Multiple-INTERNSHIP-Intergovernmental-Oceanographic-Commission/1347790957/
