The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its Internship Programme in Africa (vacancy 2601980), with assignments of 3 to 11 months in various locations across the continent. Candidates must be nationals of FAO Members, aged 21 to 30, and either enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme or recent graduates in a field relevant to FAO's work. The deadline is 31 December 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official vacancy notice, and every detail is set out below.
About FAO and Its Mission
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and to achieve food security for all, making 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.
What the FAO Internship Programme Is For
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.
📌 Type: internship (United Nations specialised agency)
📍 Location: various locations, Africa (regional and country offices)
⏱️ Duration: from 3 months to 11 months
🔢 Vacancy number: 2601980
Contributing to the SDGs and FAO's Strategic Framework
Through the FAO internship experience, interns contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to FAO's Strategic Framework, which supports 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.
Reporting Line, Technical Focus and Tasks
👤 Reporting line: the intern reports to an assigned supervisor
🧭 Technical focus: interns are assigned to different fields of work according to their profile and to the needs of the Organization
📋 Tasks and responsibilities: the intern performs the functions specified in the Terms of Reference (TOR) prepared by the hiring office
Who Can Apply: Minimum Requirements
🎓 Education: enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a "bona fide" educational institution at the time of application, or a recent graduate
🔬 Field of study: candidates must specialise in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO
🗣️ Languages: 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: between 21 and 30
🌍 Mindset: able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills
Recognised Institutions: The WHED Rule
FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained 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. The list can be accessed at whed.net.
Competencies FAO Looks For
Candidates are assessed against the FAO Core Competencies:
🎯 Results Focus
🤝 Teamwork
💬 Communication
🔗 Building Effective Relationships
📚 Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
The technical and functional skills required are relevant academic studies in one of the fields of the Organization. All candidates should also adhere to FAO Values: Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
Stipend
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The vacancy notice does not state an amount.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply
FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. The notice encourages applications from:
👩 Qualified female applicants
🌍 Qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members
♿ Persons with disabilities
🌾 Candidates from Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs)
🏝️ Candidates from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Who Is Not Eligible
🚫 Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another internship
🚫 Candidates with family members (mother, father, sister or brother) employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible
🛂 Selected candidates must have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining the Organization
FAO's Integrity Standards
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. All selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all applications are treated with the strictest confidentiality. FAO is a non-smoking environment.
How to Apply
🖥️ Visit the FAO recruitment website (Jobs at FAO) and complete your online profile; FAO strongly recommends that it is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
📎 Attach a letter of motivation and evidence of attendance in a recognised university or a copy of your academic qualifications to the online profile
✅ Once the profile is complete, apply and submit your application
⚠️ Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal are considered, and incomplete applications are not considered
🔍 Applications are screened based on the information in your online profile
📅 Submit well before the deadline date
Your Data and Consent
Personal information in your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO's behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests and background checks. You are asked to provide your consent before submitting your application, and you may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application; in that case FAO can no longer consider it.
No Fees, and What Happens After You Apply
💶 FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
📞 All applications are reviewed, and only qualified applicants are directly contacted for interviews by the hiring office and contacted again if selected
🔁 Candidates not selected before the closing date who wish to be continuously considered are requested to re-apply to the new Calls
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the FAO Internship Programme in Africa?
Candidates must be nationals of FAO Members, aged 21 to 30, and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme or recent graduates in a field relevant to FAO's work, from an institution recognised in the WHED.
How long does the FAO internship last?
Internships run from 3 months to 11 months.
Is the FAO internship paid?
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. The vacancy notice does not give an amount.
Which languages do I need?
A working knowledge of at least one FAO language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. A second FAO language is an asset.
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.
How do I apply, and is there a fee?
Apply only through the FAO recruitment portal by completing your online profile and attaching a letter of motivation and evidence of university attendance or your academic qualifications. FAO charges no fee at any stage of recruitment.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is 31 December 2026. Find more internships like this in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 31 December 2026
Links
🔗 Application (vacancy 2601980): https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2601980
🌐 FAO Members list: https://www.fao.org/legal/home/fao-members/en/
🆘 FAO support: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
