UNESCO is accepting applications for an Internship in its Communication and Information Sector, lasting 1 to 6 months. Applications close on 31 December 2026 (midnight), UNESCO does not pay interns, and you must be at least 20 years old. This is a talent pool notice: you apply to join a pool of intern candidates, not to a specific opening, and placement is not guaranteed. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy notice and set out every area, task and requirement below.
The Mission of the Communication and Information Sector
The Sector's mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage.
The notice adds that the intern role does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.
Areas of Activity
The areas covered by the Sector include, without being exhaustive:
🗣️ Supporting freedom of expression, access to information and the safety of journalists
🧠 Empowering societies, citizens and youth through media and information literacy
📻 Supporting the development of free, diverse and gender-inclusive independent media
🔓 Promoting open access to information for all and supporting linguistic diversity
🖥️ Fostering innovation and an inclusive digital transformation in the service of sustainable development
📜 Protecting, preserving and promoting access to the world's documentary heritage
🚫 Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: addressing disinformation and ensuring access to reliable information for all in times of crises
What Interns Do
The intern learns and supports the overall work of the Sector's mission. Activities vary with the requirements of the assignment, and specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives form part of the contract. The work falls under one or more of these categories, depending on each team's needs.
Programme and Project Support
📄 Participate in preparing and reviewing project documents, draft notes and prepare technical annexes
💭 Prepare conceptual frameworks and concept notes on new areas of work or development challenges
📊 Collect, organize and analyze data
🗃️ Contribute to documents, working papers and concept notes on an area of work or development challenge
🧩 Assist in developing technical support for new interventions or projects
Research and Knowledge Management
🔬 Undertake specific research and reviews to produce defined segments of work products, including publications, documents and project proposals
📣 Contribute to knowledge and communication products and materials for advocacy and outreach
🎤 Participate in meetings and seminars
Partnerships
🔍 Analyze and compile background data for potential partnerships and fundraising events and opportunities, and arrange briefings, visits, tours and meetings to support collaboration
🏛️ Liaise and build networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations
Operations Support
🗓️ Provide administrative and logistical support in planning and organizing meetings, events, workshops and conferences with other staff
🧾 Support the preparation of specific budgets, financial and accounting documents, and project documentation and evaluation
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Learning Objectives
Depending on the needs of the team, the assignment is expected to help you develop skills in some of these areas:
🏗️ Understanding the approach to developing and managing communication and information projects
🌐 Understanding multilateral processes
📉 Carrying out data analyses related to communication and information
📝 Designing policy briefs using approaches such as case studies, group discussion, facilitator input and individual reflection
🔭 Insight into the development and implementation of communication and information projects
⚖️ Understanding the context of global policy making, including the role of international organizations in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, enhancing human and institutional capacities and facilitating cooperation
🛠️ Understanding international project management through learning by doing
📚 Developing domain knowledge in communication and information projects
✍️ Strengthening research, writing and communication skills
🧘 Developing 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 can develop soft skills of the UNESCO Competency Framework, in particular teamwork, flexibility, communication and client focus.
Core Competencies and Values
The notice lists these Core and Managerial Competencies:
💬 Communication
📊 Accountability
💡 Innovation
🔄 Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
🎯 Results focus
🤝 Teamwork
🎖️ Professionalism
The UNESCO Core Values are Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity and Professionalism.
Age and Study Requirements
You must be at least 20 years old to apply. You must also meet one of these conditions:
🎓 Currently enrolled and in the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor's degree
📘 Currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent
📜 Completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree no more than 12 months before 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.
If you are weighing this against other placement types, our guide to fellowships, internships and traineeships explains what each involves.
Language, Computer and Team Skills
🔤 An excellent command, written and spoken, of English or French
📗 A working knowledge of the other language is an asset, and may be required for secretarial and assistantship internships at Headquarters
💻 An excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software
🏅 The ability to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment
🗨️ Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Benefits and Entitlements
UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise, for internship assignments.
🌴 Leave: 2.5 days of leave per month, plus an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship
What You Arrange Yourself
🛂 Visa: you are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas
✈️ Travel: you must arrange and finance your travel to the location of your internship
🏥 Medical insurance: you must show proof of comprehensive health insurance valid in the country of your internship for the entire period; UNESCO only provides limited workplace insurance against risk of injury, illness, disability or death directly attributable to the execution of the internship
🪪 Documents before you start: your ID, Certificate of Enrollment or Diploma if you have just recently graduated
The Internship Agreement
UNESCO will not sign third-party agreements or contracts, such as conventions de stage, provided by academic or research institutions. The arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern, and only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO is executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.
How Selection and Recruitment Work
You should apply to any available vacancy notice that matches your expertise, domain or interest, and you can apply to all of them. You are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening or vacancy.
🗂️ Candidates who apply successfully stay in the intern talent pool
🔎 Relevant hiring managers further assess and select candidates
⏳ The candidature is valid for 6 months
📞 Selected candidates are contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager
🔕 If you receive no update within six months, your application has not been successful
Before You Apply
📎 Have your CV or resume and motivation letter ready
⏲️ You will answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any) and interests, and you have only one hour to finish the application process
📧 Make sure your contact details will be valid for the next 6 months
🖊️ You can only use English or French when applying
🌐 Provide an unofficial French or English translation, in PDF format, of your official documents if they are not in these languages
⚖️ Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement, as UNESCO receives more applications from qualified candidates than it can place
📭 UNESCO does not respond to every candidate
🗄️ Your application is accessed by UNESCO managers and stays in the internship portal for six months
Need help with the documents? See our guides on writing a motivation letter and making a Europass CV.
Find more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Communication and Information Sector internship paid?
No. UNESCO does not remunerate interns and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise. Interns receive leave entitlements.
Does the intern handle UNESCO's external communications?
No. The notice states that the role does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.
What kinds of tasks can I expect?
Programme and project support, research and knowledge management, partnerships and operations support, depending on the needs of the team and the assignment.
Is this a specific opening?
No. It is a talent pool notice. You apply to join the pool of intern candidates, and your application stays in the internship portal for six months.
Does applying guarantee an internship?
No. There is no guarantee of placement. Selected candidates are contacted directly by the hiring manager, and no update within six months means the application was not successful.
Who is eligible?
You must be at least 20 years old and in the 3rd or final year of a Bachelor's degree, enrolled in a second degree, Master's or PhD, or have completed a degree within the last 12 months. The notice does not state a nationality restriction, and Youth Works Hub lists it as open worldwide.
What should I prepare before applying?
Have your CV or resume and motivation letter ready, valid contact details for the next 6 months, and unofficial French or English translations in PDF format of any official documents in other languages.
How long do I have to complete the application?
You have only one hour to finish the application process, and you can only use English or French.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Link
🔗 UNESCO Communication and Information Sector internship vacancy notice and application: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Multiple-INTERNSHIP-Communication-and-Information-Sector/1347542457/
