UNICEF Internship Program 2026 | Paid International Internships at UN
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) remains one of the most respected and impactful organizations in the world, working in over 190 countries to protect and advance children’s rights, health, education, and protection. The UNICEF Internship Program 2026 stands out as one of the most prestigious, paid, and career-launching internship opportunities available to international students and recent graduates. Also apply for ETH Zurich Scholarship 2026 in Switzerland
These internships are open to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students (or recent graduates within the last two years) from any country. They are offered both on-site and remote, last between 6 and 26 weeks, and provide real-world experience inside one of the UN’s largest agencies.
From my experience helping students secure UN internships, UNICEF placements are among the most competitive yet most rewarding. One intern from Pakistan worked remotely on child protection communications and later received a full-time offer at a UNICEF partner NGO. Another from Kenya completed an on-site placement in supply chain logistics and built lifelong professional connections. The modest daily stipend (when paid) combined with the prestige and network makes this one of the best entry points into humanitarian and international development careers.
What Is the UNICEF Internship Program?
UNICEF internships allow students and recent graduates to contribute to real projects while gaining hands-on experience in international development, humanitarian action, and child rights advocacy.
Key facts:
- Duration: 6 to 26 weeks (flexible)
- Location: On-site (various UNICEF offices worldwide) or remote
- Paid: Yes — most placements offer a monthly stipend or daily allowance (amount varies by location/office)
- Full-time: Usually 35–40 hours/week
- Language: Excellent English required; fluency in French, Spanish, Arabic, or other UN languages is a strong advantage
- No application fee
- Open to students enrolled in (or graduated within 2 years from) Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs
- Rolling recruitment — apply anytime
Interns work in diverse areas: communications, program management, data analysis, supply chain, child protection, health, education, emergency response, finance, HR, IT, and more.
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Eligibility Criteria
You qualify if you meet all of these:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD program OR have graduated within the past two years
- Be a national of a UN Member State (virtually all countries)
- Have excellent academic performance (strong transcripts required)
- Have fluency in English (working language of UNICEF); knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is highly valued
- Not have an immediate relative (parent, sibling) working at UNICEF
- Not have previously completed a UNICEF internship
Strong opinion: The “no immediate relative” rule is strictly enforced. Academic excellence and relevant skills (writing, research, data analysis) matter more than prior experience.
Internship Benefits
UNICEF internships are paid (unlike many UN agency internships) and provide:
- Monthly stipend or daily allowance (amount varies by duty station and budget — typically USD 1,000–2,000/month or equivalent)
- Possible contribution toward visa and travel costs (for on-site placements)
- Real work experience on global child rights and humanitarian projects
- Mentorship and supervision from experienced UNICEF professionals
- Access to UNICEF’s global network, online library, and training resources
- Certificate of completion
- Strong addition to your CV for future UN, NGO, government, or international organization roles
Note: Stipend amount depends on location, duration, and funding availability. Remote interns may receive a lower or no stipend in some cases.
Areas of Work Available
Internships are offered across almost all UNICEF divisions and country offices:
- Child Protection
- Education
- Health & Nutrition
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
- Social Policy & Advocacy
- Emergency Response & Humanitarian Action
- Communications & Advocacy
- Supply & Logistics
- Data & Analytics
- Innovation & Technology
- Finance & Administration
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Gender Equality
- Youth & Adolescent Development
Most placements are in policy, program, communications, or research roles.
Required Documents
- Online application form (via UNICEF careers portal)
- CV / résumé (tailored to the position)
- Cover letter / motivation statement (explaining interest in UNICEF and specific area)
- Academic transcripts / proof of enrollment (or recent graduation certificate)
- Passport copy (for nationality verification)
- Language certificates (if available — not always mandatory)
Why Choose the UNICEF Internship Program?
- Paid internship at one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations
- Real contributions to child rights, health, education, and emergency response
- Build a network with UNICEF staff, UN agencies, and NGOs
- Gain experience that is highly valued in development, humanitarian, and international careers
- Remote options available — perfect for students unable to relocate
- Certificate and reference letter upon completion
Geneva, New York, and field offices offer unmatched exposure to global policy and humanitarian work.
Contrarian view: Stipend is modest in high-cost duty stations. But the prestige, experience, and network are unmatched.
Living Costs in Common Duty Stations (Beyond Stipend)
Varies widely (Numbeo Jan 2026):
- Geneva / New York: USD 2,500–4,000/month
- Regional offices (Nairobi, Bangkok, Panama): USD 1,200–2,000/month
- Field offices: USD 800–1,500/month
Many interns share housing or use university accommodations to reduce costs.
Application Checklist
- Prepare tailored CV and cover letter
- Collect transcripts & proof of enrollment/graduation
- Passport copy ready
- Apply via jobs.unicef.org (rolling basis)
- Apply to multiple positions
- Follow up politely if no response after 2–3 months
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic cover letter (no UNICEF mission connection)
- Not tailoring CV to the specific internship
- Applying without enrollment/proof of recent graduation
- Poor English (UNICEF working language)
- Late application for popular periods
PAA: Fully funded? Paid (monthly stipend/daily allowance). Deadline? Rolling (apply anytime). Open to all nationalities? Yes (UN Member States).
How to Apply for UNICEF Internship?
Applications are accepted year-round (rolling basis):
- Go to the official UNICEF careers portal: jobs.unicef.org
- Search for “Internship” or filter by “Intern” under job category
- Select the internship position that matches your interest and qualifications
- Create an account or log in
- Complete the online application form
- Upload required documents (CV, cover letter, transcripts, proof of studies)
- Submit your application
- Wait for review — placement decisions are made as vacancies arise
- If selected, receive an offer letter and start visa/residence permit process (for on-site)
Tip: Apply to multiple positions. Tailor your cover letter to the specific internship and UNICEF’s mission (child rights, equity, humanitarian action).