UN Internship Opportunities 2026 | Apply for Current United Nations Internships

The United Nations is currently advertising several internship opportunities across different departments, professional fields and duty stations around the world.
These opportunities cover areas including Human Rights, Public Information, Programme Management, International Trade, Political Affairs, Social Affairs, Environment and Climate Change, and Finance.
With positions available in cities such as New York, Geneva, Bangkok and Beijing, these internships can provide valuable exposure to the work of the UN and help young professionals develop practical skills in an international environment.
π Current UN Internship Opportunities 2026
1. Intern β Human Rights
π Job ID: 283456
π’ Department: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
π Location: Bangkok, Thailand
πΌ Job Family: Administration
π
Deadline: August 23, 2027
This internship provides an opportunity to support human rights-related work within OHCHR and gain experience in an international organization.
2. Intern β Public Information β UN Photo
π Job ID: 282740
π’ Department: Department of Global Communications
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Public Information
π
Deadline: August 30, 2026
This opportunity is suited to candidates interested in public information, communications, media and visual storytelling within the United Nations.
3. Intern β Programme Management
π Job ID: 283078
π’ Department: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
π Location: Beijing, China
πΌ Job Family: Programme Management
π
Deadline: September 30, 2026
The internship offers exposure to programme support and development-related work within the UN’s regional operations in Asia and the Pacific.
4. Trade Strategy, Value Chain and Export Governance β Intern
π Job ID: 283424
π’ Organization: International Trade Centre (ITC)
π Location: Geneva, Switzerland
πΌ Job Family: MPA
π
Deadline: August 29, 2026
This opportunity is particularly relevant to candidates interested in international trade, export development, value chains, economics and international development.
5. Intern β Political Affairs
π Job ID: 282037
π’ Department: Office of Counter-Terrorism
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Political Affairs
π
Deadline: September 4, 2026
This internship provides exposure to political affairs, policy research, knowledge management and international security-related work.
6. Intern β Public Information
π Job ID: 283376
π’ Department: Department of Economic and Social Affairs
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Public Information
π
Deadline: September 3, 2026
This opportunity is suitable for candidates interested in communications, digital content, public information and social development.
7. Intern β Social Affairs
π Job ID: 283374
π’ Department: Department of Economic and Social Affairs
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Social Affairs
π
Deadline: September 3, 2026
The position provides an opportunity to gain experience related to social development and the work of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
8. Intern β Environment and Climate Change Unit
π Job ID: 283062
π’ Department: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
π Location: Geneva, Switzerland
πΌ Job Family: Human Rights Affairs
π
Deadline: September 3, 2026
This internship is relevant to candidates interested in human rights, environmental issues, climate change and sustainable development.
9. Human Rights Intern β Support to the Global Human Rights Programme
π Job ID: 283149
π’ Department: Office of Counter-Terrorism
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Human Rights Affairs
π
Deadline: September 4, 2026
This opportunity is aimed at candidates interested in human rights and international programmes.
10. Finance Intern β Field Operations Finance Division
π Job ID: 281660
π’ Department: Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance β Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget
π Location: New York, USA
πΌ Job Family: Finance
π
Deadline: September 29, 2026
This internship provides an opportunity for candidates interested in finance and financial operations within the United Nations system.
Also Read: WHO Internship in Research, Ethics and Innovation 2026 β Manila, Philippines | Apply Now
π Who Can Apply?
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the individual internship.
Applicants should carefully check the specific job description for:
- Educational requirements
- Relevant field of study
- Language requirements
- Internship duration
- Location and work arrangement
- Required skills
- Application documents
- Any additional eligibility conditions
Many UN internships are designed for students in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, master’s students, PhD students or recent graduates, depending on the specific vacancy.
π Why Consider a UN Internship?
A United Nations internship can help young professionals:
β
Gain international work experience
β
Develop professional and technical skills
β
Work in a multicultural environment
β
Build international professional networks
β
Apply academic knowledge in practice
β
Learn about UN programmes and operations
β
Strengthen their CV for future career opportunities
Internships are available across many professional areas, making them relevant to candidates from different academic backgrounds.
π° Are UN Internships Paid?
Applicants should carefully check the financial conditions of each internship.
Many UN Secretariat internships are unpaid, and interns may be responsible for costs such as travel, accommodation, visas and living expenses.
Always read the full vacancy announcement before applying and make sure you understand the financial and relocation requirements.
π Documents You May Need
Depending on the vacancy, applicants may be asked to provide documents such as:
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter
- Academic records or proof of enrolment
- Personal History Profile
- References
- Other documents specified in the vacancy announcement
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully and tailor their motivation statement to the specific internship.
π How to Apply for UN Internships
Step 1: Choose an Opportunity
Review the current vacancies and select an internship that matches your education, skills and career interests.
Step 2: Read the Full Job Description
Check the eligibility requirements, responsibilities, location, duration and deadline.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Update your CV and prepare a strong motivation statement highlighting your education, relevant skills and interest in the position.
Step 4: Create or Update Your UN Careers Profile
Complete your information accurately on the official United Nations recruitment platform.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Upload the required documents and submit your application before the stated deadline.
Step 6: Monitor Your Application
Check your email and recruitment profile regularly for updates from the United Nations.
Also Read: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Intern 2026 β Powerful Observatory | Opportunity in Geneva, Switzerland
β οΈ Important Notice
The United Nations does not charge applicants a recruitment fee.
Be careful of individuals or websites claiming they can guarantee a UN internship in exchange for money.
Always verify the vacancy, deadline and application instructions through the official United Nations careers platform.
π― Final Thoughts
These current UN internship opportunities offer students and young professionals the chance to explore careers in human rights, international development, communications, political affairs, finance, trade, climate change and social development.
If you meet the requirements for any of the vacancies, prepare your application carefully and apply before the relevant deadline.
Because deadlines differ significantly, applicants should check each vacancy individually rather than assuming that all positions have the same closing date.
π How to Apply
Applicants should visit the official United Nations Careers platform, search for the relevant Job ID, read the complete vacancy announcement and follow the official application instructions.
Always verify the current status and deadline before submitting your application.




