The FAO Internship Programme for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), call number 2601984, offers internships of 3 to 11 months in various locations for students and recent graduates aged 21 to 30 who are nationals of FAO Members. Applications close on 31 December 2026 through the FAO recruitment portal. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the official FAO job page and set out the requirements, the stipend rule and the steps below.
What the FAO Internship Programme Is
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and to achieve food security for all and make sure 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. FAO 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.
Your Role and Tasks
🧭 Reporting line: the intern reports to an assigned supervisor
🔬 Technical focus: the intern is assigned to different fields of work according to their profile and to 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: Minimum Requirements
🎓 Studies: enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme in a bona fide educational institution at the time of application, or a recent graduate
🏛️ Accredited institution: FAO only considers higher educational qualifications from an institution accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and UNESCO
🔎 Field of study: candidates must specialise in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO
🗣️ Language: 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
🌐 Nationality: candidates must be nationals of FAO Members
🎂 Age: candidates should be aged between 21 and 30
🤝 Mindset: candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills
Competencies FAO Looks For
FAO assesses candidates against its core competencies:
🎯 Results Focus
👥 Teamwork
💬 Communication
🔗 Building Effective Relationships
📚 Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
On technical skills, the call asks for relevant academic studies in one of the fields of the Organization. All candidates should adhere to the FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
Find more opportunities like this in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub.
Stipend and Terms
💶 Stipend: 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
🛂 Residence status: selected candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining the Organization
🚫 Repeat internships: candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another internship
👪 Family members: candidates with a mother, father, sister or brother employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible
🆓 No fees: FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
Diversity and Encouraged Applicants
FAO is committed to achieving 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. For this call, 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.
Standards of Conduct
⚖️ Integrity: everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAO's values
🛡️ Zero tolerance: FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, 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
🔒 Checks and confidentiality: all selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality
How to Apply
📝 Profile: complete your online profile on the Jobs at FAO recruitment website, with your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
📎 Attachments: attach a letter of motivation and the evidence of attendance in a recognised university, or a copy of your academic qualifications, to the online profile
✅ Submit: once the profile is complete, apply and submit your application
🚪 Only the portal: only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal are considered, and incomplete applications are not considered
🔍 Screening: your application is screened on the information in your online profile
📣 Contact: only qualified applicants are contacted directly for interviews by the hiring office, and again if selected
🔁 Not selected: candidates who are not selected before the closing date and want to be considered continuously must re-apply to the new calls
⏰ Timing: FAO encourages applicants to submit well before the deadline
🔐 Consent: your 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, and you are asked for consent before submitting; you can withdraw consent by withdrawing your application
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the FAO internship in the Near East and North Africa?
Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme, or recent graduates, aged 21 to 30, who are nationals of FAO Members and work in at least one FAO language.
How long does the internship last?
The call states a duration of 3 to 11 months.
Is the FAO internship paid?
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The call does not give an amount.
Does FAO charge an application fee?
No. FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Which languages count as FAO languages?
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. A working knowledge of one is required.
Can I apply if I already interned at FAO?
No. Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another internship.
What is the difference between an internship, a traineeship and a fellowship?
The guide on fellowship vs internship vs traineeship explains how the three differ so you can judge which one fits your stage.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Links
🌐 Application page (Jobs at FAO, call 2601984): https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2601984
📖 List of FAO Members: https://www.fao.org/legal/home/fao-members/en/
💬 Help and queries: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
