The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its Internship Programme in Asia and the Pacific, with assignments in various locations in the region. 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 2601981) and gathered what the programme offers, who can apply and how to submit your profile.
About the FAO 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 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 Asia and the Pacific
⏱️ 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 the following minimum requirements:
🎓 Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a "bona fide" educational institution at the time of application, or a recent graduate
🏛️ Higher education qualifications must come 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 (the list is available at whed.net)
🔬 A specialization in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO
🗣️ 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 of an FAO Member country
🎂 Age between 21 and 30
🤝 Ability to adapt to an international multicultural environment, with good communication skills
FAO Core Competencies
⚡ Results focus
👥 Teamwork
💬 Communication
🔗 Building effective relationships
🔄 Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
Relevant academic studies in one of the fields of the Organization count as the technical skill. All candidates should also adhere to FAO's values: Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
Allowance, Eligibility Limits and Good to Know
💼 Stipend: FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities
🚫 No fees: FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
🔁 One internship only: candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another one
🛂 Residence status: selected candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining the Organization
👪 Family members: candidates with a mother, father, sister or brother employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible
📞 Contact: all applications are reviewed, and only qualified applicants are contacted directly for interviews by the hiring office
⚖️ Conduct: everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAO's values; as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, 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
🚭 Environment: FAO is a non-smoking environment
🛡️ Checks: all selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality
🌐 Diversity: FAO is committed to workforce diversity; qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-represented and under-represented Members, persons with disabilities, and candidates from Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries, Least Developed Countries, Land-locked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States are encouraged to apply
Why This Internship Is Worth a Look
The programme places interns inside a UN Specialized Agency across the Asia-Pacific region. If you are comparing formats, our guide on the difference between a fellowship, an internship and a traineeship explains how they differ, and you can browse similar openings in the Internship & Traineeship section on Youth Works Hub.
How to Apply
Complete your online profile on the FAO recruitment website, "Jobs at FAO", and make sure it is accurate and complete, with your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills. Attach a letter of motivation and the evidence of attendance at a recognized university or a copy of your academic qualifications to the online profile, then submit your application.
📝 Incomplete applications are not considered
📥 Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal are 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
🔄 Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered are asked to re-apply to the new calls
⏰ FAO encourages applying well before the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the FAO internship in Asia and the Pacific based?
The vacancy lists various locations in Asia and the Pacific, and the hiring office assigns interns according to their profile and the needs of the Organization.
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.
How long does the internship last?
The internship lasts 3 to 11 months.
Do FAO interns receive a stipend?
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The vacancy does not state an amount.
Does FAO charge an application fee?
No. FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Can I do a second FAO internship?
No. Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another internship.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Links
🔗 Apply on the FAO recruitment portal: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2601981
🌐 FAO Members list: https://www.fao.org/legal/home/fao-members/en/
🆘 Help and queries: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
