The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program is awarded to young people from UN member States interested in contributing to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV provides the opportunity for a limited number of internships at its headquarters in Bonn, Germany.
About United Nations Programme for Young People
Deadline: no deadline
The UNV Internship Programme offers the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNV’s work and is designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in development and volunteerism. It may also complement other studies such as international relations, communications, media relations and social sciences.
The objective is to enhance the intern’s educational experience through practical work assignments and to allow selected candidates to gain insight into the work of the United Nations.
Eligibility
Minimum Qualifications & Experience:
- Education: Completed undergraduate degree (Bachelor) and current enrollment in a Masters degree or equivalent. Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible;
- Field of study: Development-related fields such as economics, international relations, anthropology, sociology, public or business administration, or environmental studies. Other fields of study may be considered depending on the type of assignment;
- Language skills: Written and spoken proficiency in English and preferably in an additional official UN Language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese);
- Demonstrated interest in the field of development and the work of international organisations.
Immediate family members of UNV staff are not eligible to apply.
Eligible groups
Citizens of UN member States
Participating Institutions
UNV headquarters in Bonn, Germany
Fields of study
See ‘Eligibility’ above
Internship duration
Interns are accepted throughout the year; for a period of normally two to four months
Internship benefits
The purpose of the Internship Programme is to complement an intern’s studies, not to lead to further employment with the organization. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with UNV, UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system. Note that there is no promise of employment upon completion of an internship with UNV.
Financial aspects, expenses, and medical benefits
- The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or his sponsoring institution or government.
- UNV accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance for the intern or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period. Applicants are required to provide evidence of adequate medical insurance coverage.
- UNV is not responsible for any claims by an intern or third party in the case of loss or damage to property or death or personal injury as a result of actions or omissions on the part of the intern during the internship period.
Method of Application
Applications should be forwarded to the designated contact person (as indicated in the TORs). Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted and/or selected candidates will be contacted. Applications (in English) should include the following:
- An application form [MS Word];
- Recent curriculum vitae (CV); and
- A cover letter indicating the motivation and reason for an internship with UNV as well as the preferred field of work.
It is important to read through the current Internship vacancies, and also to visit the main Internship webpage (link to it is below) for complete information, and to apply to specific vacancies you are interested in.
DEADLINES
Interns are accepted throughout the year. See the official website for specific deadline dates of specific internship vacancies
PLEASE NOTE
An intern is not entitled to apply for a regular position or hold a consultancy or contractor agreement with the organization either during the internship, or within the following six months.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany but has other Headquarter locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo).
UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN volunteers, throughout the world. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.
FAQs
What is the United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme for young people?
The United Nations Volunteer Internship Programme offers young individuals the opportunity to work with various UN agencies, gaining hands-on experience in global issues such as peace, development, and humanitarian efforts. It allows participants to contribute to sustainable development goals while developing skills in areas like project management, international relations, and community engagement.
Who is eligible to apply for the UN Volunteer Internship Programme?
The UN Volunteer Internship Programme is open to individuals aged 18 to 29 who are passionate about global issues and committed to making a difference. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in or have recently completed a relevant degree (e.g., international relations, public policy, development studies).
- Have proficiency in at least one of the UN’s official languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese).
- Be motivated, adaptable, and capable of working in a multicultural environment.
How can I apply for the UN Volunteer Internship Programme?
To apply for the UN Volunteer Internship Programme, candidates need to visit the UNV (United Nations Volunteers) website or the careers page of the specific UN agency offering the internship. Application processes vary by agency but generally involve submitting a CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts. It is important to regularly check the website for open positions and deadlines, as opportunities are posted throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Open to International Applicants: Yes
Visit the Information and Application Portal for more details.