The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its Internship Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean, with assignments in various locations and a duration of 3 to 11 months. The call is open to students and recent graduates aged 21 to 30 who are nationals of FAO Members, and applications close on 31 December 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy (job number 2601983) and gathered what the programme offers, who can apply and how to submit your profile.
About FAO and Its Internship Programme
FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger and to achieve food security for all, so that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 195 Members, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. The organisation believes that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
The Internship Programme aims to attract talented young women and men who are strongly motivated to share their new perspectives, innovative ideas and latest academic experience in FAO's domains. It gives participants a learning opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with a practical work assignment in a field related to the work of FAO.
What Interns Contribute To
Through the FAO internship experience, interns contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to FAO's Strategic Framework supporting the 2030 Agenda, through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Assignment Details
📍 Location: various locations in Latin America and the Caribbean
⏱️ Duration: 3 to 11 months
🧑🏫 Reporting line: the intern reports to an assigned supervisor
🧭 Technical focus: interns are assigned to different fields of work according to their profile and the needs of the Organization
📑 Tasks: the intern performs the functions specified in the Terms of Reference (TOR) prepared by the hiring office
Who Can Apply
Candidates are assessed against these minimum requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme in a "bona fide" educational institution at the time of application, or be a recent graduate
🏛️ FAO only considers higher educational qualifications from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO
🔬 Specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO
🗣️ Have working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish); knowledge of a second FAO language is considered an asset
🌐 Be a national of an FAO Member
🎂 Be aged between 21 and 30
🤝 Be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills
Skills and Competencies
FAO assesses candidates on relevant academic studies in one of the fields of the Organization, together with its core competencies:
🏆 Results Focus
👥 Teamwork
💬 Communication
🔗 Building Effective Relationships
📚 Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
All candidates should also adhere to FAO Values: Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
Stipend and Fees
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The call does not state an amount.
🆓 No fees: FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
Who Is Encouraged to Apply
FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Candidates from Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are also encouraged to apply to this Call for Expression of Interest.
Rules to Know Before Applying
🚫 Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another internship
👪 Candidates with a mother, father, sister or brother employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible
🛂 Selected candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment prior to joining the Organization
📬 All applications are reviewed, and only qualified applicants are directly contacted for interviews by the hiring office, and contacted again if selected
🛡️ All selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality
⚖️ FAO has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
Why This Internship Is Worth a Look
The programme places interns inside a UN Specialized Agency and ties the work to the Sustainable Development Goals. If you are weighing different paths, our guides on fellowship vs internship vs traineeship and on how we check opportunities explain what each involves and which no-fee and application-link checks we look for, and you can browse similar openings in the Internship & Traineeship section of Youth Works Hub.
How to Apply
Visit the recruitment website, "Jobs at FAO", and complete your online profile. FAO strongly recommends that your profile is accurate and complete, with your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills. Attach a letter of motivation and evidence of attendance in a recognized university or a copy of your academic qualifications to the online profile. Once your profile is complete, apply and submit your application.
📥 Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal are considered
📝 Incomplete applications are not considered
🔍 Your application is screened on the information in your online profile
🔐 You are asked for consent before submitting, because personal information may be shared within FAO and with companies acting on FAO's behalf for services such as pre-screening, assessment tests and background checks; you can withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application
🔁 Candidates not selected before the closing date who wish to be considered continuously must re-apply to new Calls
⏰ FAO encourages applying well before the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the FAO internship in Latin America and the Caribbean based?
The assignments are in various locations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
How long does the internship last?
The call lists a duration of 3 to 11 months.
Who can apply for this FAO internship?
Candidates must be nationals of FAO Members, aged 21 to 30, enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme or a recent graduate, with a field of study relevant to FAO's work.
Which languages are required?
You need working knowledge of at least one FAO language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. A second FAO language is an asset.
Do FAO interns receive a stipend?
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The call does not give the amount.
Does FAO charge an application fee?
No. FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Can I apply if I already did an FAO internship?
No. Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another one.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Link
🔗 Apply on the FAO recruitment portal: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2601983
🛟 Help and queries: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
