INTERNSHIP: Office of the Director-General

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Type of contract : Internship

Duty Station : Headquarters

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Application deadline : 31 December 2026 (Midnight)

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

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Under the authority of the Cabinet Coordination Officer, and under the supervision of one of the Director-General’s advisors, the intern will assist the Advisor in preparing files on subjects related to the fields of competency of UNESCO (education, science, culture, social and human sciences and communication).

In this way, the intern will gain knowledge of UNESCO’s working environment and operations (including its mandate and cooperation with specialized UN agencies). They will also develop an understanding of UNESCO’s interactions with other international institutions (the United Nations system and the 2030 Agenda).

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

During the internship, the intern will be called on to:

• Assist the Advisor in preparing notes and opinions on administrative, political and communications issues related to the activities and fields of competency of UNESCO.

In addition, interns in the Speechwriting Pool (Pôle Langage) will help prepare elements for various interventions by the Director-General (in French and in English). They will help write speeches, talking points, messages, editorials, articles and forewords. They will also carry out documentary research with a view to preparing speeches or official visits by the Director-General. Under the supervision of the Head of the Pôle Langage, they will also revise correspondence to be signed by the Director-General.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

During the internship, the intern will gain practical knowledge of the functioning of the Director-General’s Cabinet, a working environment where major strategic decisions are made. Given the particularly sensitive nature of this work, the intern must be conscientious, proactive and discreet. In addition, the intern must:

• Understand the internal operations of an international organization and how to interact with their peers.

• Learn and understand the legal, administrative and political implications of activities by an international organization.

• Prepare, under the supervision of the Advisor, notes and memoranda giving advice in the context of an international organization.

Lastly, this internship is an opportunity for the intern to use their analytical, synthesis and writing skills.

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

• Communication (C) 
• Accountability (C) 
• Innovation (C) 
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) 
• Results focus (C) 
• Teamwork (C) 
• Professionalism (C) 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

You should be currently enrolled AND on the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor’s degree;

OR

You should be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent;

OR

You must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree no more than 12 months prior to the issuance of the Internship Agreement, as determined by the completion date indicated on your diploma.

Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical/vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.  

Languages:

You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

Computer skills:

You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Team player:

You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments. 

Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

Interns are provided with a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Candidates shall apply to this vacancy notice (or any of the available vacancy notices that match their expertise, domain, or interest). Please note that you are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening.

Candidates who successfully applied will stay in the intern talent pool and will be further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers.  The candidature will be valid for 6 months. Candidates who have been selected will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. If the candidate does not receive any update from UNESCO within six months, it means that the application has not been successful. 

KEEP IN MIND

Duration: The minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months.

Visa: You should be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

Travel: You must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.

Medical insurance: You must show proof of a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship. UNESCO will only provide a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

Supporting Documents: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide your proof of your identity (ID card or passport), Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma (if you have just recently graduated).

Leave: Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (e.g., conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions. The internship arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern. Only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO will be executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.

BEFORE APPLYING

• During the application process, you will be asked to answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any), and interests. You only have one hour to finish the process.

• Make sure your contact details will be valid in the next 6 months. 

• You can only use either English or French in applying.

• Please 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. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.

• Please note that you are submitting your application to become part of the pool of internship candidates. Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in our internship portal for a period of six months.

• We do not respond to each and every candidate. If there is an internship opening and if you are selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager from the pool. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.