UNESCO is accepting applications for an Internship in its Bureau of Human Resources Management (HRM), lasting 1 to 6 months. Applications close on 31 December 2026 (midnight), the internship is unpaid, 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 one fixed opening, and placement is not guaranteed. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy notice and set out each HRM unit, task and requirement below.
Working Inside the Bureau of Human Resources Management
Under the overall authority of the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources Management, and the direct supervision of the relevant Chief of Section, Head of Unit or HR specialist, the intern contributes to the work of the Bureau.
Areas of Activity Within HRM
👔 Management Support and Coordination Unit: coordination of HR flagship initiatives, HR communications, data analytics and statistics, IT support and shared common services
🧲 Staffing and Recruitment Section: recruitment of fixed-term and project appointments, outreach activities, Young Talent Diversity Programmes, geographical and functional mobility, lateral transfers and placements
🗃️ Human Resources Staff Services Section: administrative services to staff at Headquarters and in the field, including staff appointments and on-boarding, compensation and benefits, pension and insurance, post classification, organizational design, post management, HR applications and IT support, and social welfare
🏥 Staff Pension and Insurance Unit: the Medical Benefits Fund, the UN Joint Pension Fund and other insurance schemes
🧮 Classification, Compensation and Post Management Unit
🧭 HR Strategic Support: administrative review and the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules
📐 HR Policy Coordination Unit
📈 Performance Leadership Unit: performance management for personnel
🎓 Centre for Learning and Partnerships Development: corporate and individual learning programmes, the language learning programme, the internship programme, the Junior Professional programme, sponsored trainees, and UN and UNESCO Volunteers
What Interns Do
The intern learns and supports the overall work of the Bureau's mission. Activities vary with the requirements of the assignment, and specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives form part of the agreement. The work falls under one or more of these categories, depending on each team's needs:
📄 Contribute to documents, working papers and concept notes on an area of work or development challenges
📊 Collect, organize and analyze data
🧩 Assist in developing technical support for new interventions or projects
🔬 Undertake research and reviews to produce parts of documents, presentations and similar materials
📣 Contribute to the preparation of communication materials
🎤 Participate in meetings and seminars
🗓️ Provide administrative and logistical support in planning briefings, information sessions, workshops and similar activities
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Learning Objectives
Depending on the assignment, the internship is expected to help you develop skills in the specific domain of Human Resources, and in areas such as:
📉 Data analysis and data presentation
🏗️ Understanding project management in the context of an international organization
📰 Insight into the development and dissemination of communication materials
🗣️ Stronger verbal and written communication skills, including through meetings and presentations
The intern also gains an understanding of the overall work of UNESCO and can develop soft skills of the UNESCO Competency Framework, such as teamwork, flexibility, results focus 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 comparing placement types, our guide to fellowships, internships and traineeships sets out the differences.
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 during the internship, plus an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship
🩹 Workplace insurance: limited coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability or death incurred during the internship and directly attributable to its execution
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
🪪 Supporting documents before you start: proof of your identity (ID card or passport), Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma if you have just recently graduated
The Internship Agreement
UNESCO does 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 the Intern Talent Pool Works
Candidates apply to this vacancy notice or to any available notice that matches 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 apply successfully stay in the intern talent pool
🔎 Relevant hiring managers further assess and select candidates
⏳ The candidature is valid for 6 months
🌏 UNESCO managers around the world can access your application in the internship portal
📞 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
⏲️ You will answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any) and interests, and you have only one hour to finish the 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 of your 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
Find more internships and traineeships on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Human Resources Management internship paid?
No. UNESCO does not remunerate interns and there is no compensation, financial or otherwise. Interns receive leave entitlements and a limited workplace insurance coverage.
Who supervises the intern?
The intern works under the overall authority of the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources Management and the direct supervision of the relevant Chief of Section, Head of Unit or HR specialist.
Which HR areas can I work in?
The notice lists the Management Support and Coordination Unit, the Staffing and Recruitment Section, the Human Resources Staff Services Section, the Staff Pension and Insurance Unit, the Classification, Compensation and Post Management Unit, HR Strategic Support, the HR Policy Coordination Unit, the Performance Leadership Unit and the Centre for Learning and Partnerships Development.
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.
Which languages can I use?
You need an excellent command, written and spoken, of English or French, and you can only use English or French when applying.
How long do I have to complete the application?
You have only one hour to finish the process, during which you answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience and interests.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Link
🔗 UNESCO Bureau of Human Resources Management internship vacancy notice and application: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Multiple-INTERNSHIP-Bureau-Of-Human-Resources-Management/1347540857/
