Are UN internships paid, and who can apply? There is no single rule across the United Nations system. UNICEF offers internships to eligible students and recent graduates and provides a stipend; UNDP also provides stipends for its internships, subject to its policy and sponsorship arrangements. Internships with the UN Secretariat are generally unpaid under its published applicant guidance. Eligibility, location, duration, documents and costs must always be checked against the specific vacancy.
This practical guide compares UN internships at UNICEF and UNDP, explains how to find legitimate vacancies, and shows how to decide whether an offer is financially workable. It is an evergreen application guide, not a claim that any particular internship is currently open. Policy information was checked against official organizational guidance on .
UN internship comparison: UNICEF, UNDP and the UN Secretariat
| Programme | Who is generally eligible? | Stipend and costs | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNICEF | At least 18; enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or PhD studies, or graduated within the previous two years; language and other conditions apply | Monthly stipend; a travel/visa contribution may be available when funding permits | UNICEF internship programme |
| UNDP | Typically final-year bachelor’s students, graduate students or recent graduates who start within one year of graduation | Monthly stipend depending on assignment and duty station; sponsorship arrangements may affect payment | UNDP people programmes |
| UN Secretariat | Requirements depend on the individual internship notice and the Secretariat’s applicant rules | The Secretariat’s published applicant guide describes its internships as unpaid; confirm current conditions in the vacancy | UN Careers applicant guide (PDF) |
Important distinction: “UN internship” is a broad search term, not one centrally administered paid programme. A UNICEF, UNDP or Secretariat opportunity may use a different recruitment portal and policy. A stipend is also not the same as a fully funded placement.
Who can apply for a UNICEF internship?
UNICEF’s official programme page lists applicants aged 18 or older who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or who graduated within the past two years. Applicants need proficiency in at least one of English, French or Spanish, and an office may require another working language. UNICEF also considers academic performance, motivation, relevant experience and restrictions involving close relatives employed by the organization.
UNICEF says internships normally last six to 26 weeks and may be full-time or part-time. Its programme provides a monthly stipend; a one-time contribution toward travel or visa costs is conditional on available funding. That is not a promise of free flights, accommodation or full living expenses. Read the individual notice before making a budget.
Start with the official UNICEF internships page, follow its link to current vacancies and apply through the listed “Apply Now” process. The programme page says only shortlisted candidates may be contacted.
Who can apply for a UNDP internship?
UNDP generally accepts applicants in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, those studying for a graduate degree, or recent graduates who can begin within one year of graduating. UNDP says prior work experience is not required for its internship programme; a demonstrated interest in development and skills relevant to the specific role matter.
According to UNDP’s people programmes guidance, internships may take place at country offices, regional hubs or headquarters, and can be remote or in-person as stated in the advertisement. They generally last up to six months, with a possible nine-month arrangement for academic credit. UNDP provides a monthly stipend that varies by location and working arrangement; its FAQ explains the effect of external sponsorship.
UNDP posts internships on its official jobs pages. Most candidates should follow the vacancy’s linked online application instructions rather than send an unsolicited email. Exception: some individual offices publish a specific application procedure; for example, the UNDP Washington Representation Office describes an office-specific email process. The actual vacancy instructions take precedence over general advice.
How to apply for UN internships: seven practical steps
- Choose the right organization. Match your interests to UNICEF’s child-rights and humanitarian work or UNDP’s development, governance, environment, crisis resilience and operations work. Avoid applying solely because a role includes “United Nations” in the title.
- Search the official careers portal. Use UNICEF Careers, UNDP Careers or UN Careers. Filter for internship, duty station, remote options and the relevant technical field. Do not rely on a social-media post for the final deadline.
- Read the vacancy line by line. Record its reference number, closing time and timezone, required degree stage, graduation window, languages, location, expected start date and working hours. A programme-wide eligibility summary does not override a stricter job-specific condition.
- Check your financial position. Confirm the stipend amount, payment frequency, visa eligibility, travel support, health insurance and accommodation costs. Ask the hiring office about unclear terms before committing to a move.
- Prepare evidence-based documents. Use a clear CV, a tailored motivation or cover letter, academic records and any other documents the vacancy requests. Do not upload extra documents unless requested. If a reference is required, allow your referee sufficient time.
- Submit through the stated channel. Complete all mandatory profile fields, upload the required files and save the confirmation. For office-specific exceptions, follow the office’s published instructions exactly.
- Prepare for a possible assessment or interview. Be ready to explain a project you completed, the tools you used, what changed as a result and how the experience relates to the team’s work. Do not assume that every applicant will be interviewed.
Need help finding a credible listing? Read RiseUp All’s guide to finding international opportunities and its six-step opportunity verification checklist before submitting personal documents.
A stronger application: turn experience into evidence
A generic statement such as “I am passionate about international development and want to work for the UN” tells a reviewer very little. A stronger application connects a real accomplishment to the advertised tasks:
“For a university community-health project, I organized survey responses, cleaned the spreadsheet and helped prepare a two-page summary for local partners. That experience strengthened my data-checking and concise reporting skills, which match the research and programme-support duties described in this internship.”
This is an illustrative example, not a claim about a real applicant. Replace it with your own truthful evidence. Useful evidence may come from coursework, volunteering, research, student organizations, part-time work or community projects. Quantify outcomes only when you can substantiate them. A simple structure is task → action → result → relevance.
If the role requires a referee, our guide to requesting a recommendation letter offers a practical way to organize your request; always follow the internship’s own reference rules.
Are UN internships fully funded? Make a realistic budget
No universal “fully funded UN internship” guarantee exists. UNICEF and UNDP describe stipend support, but the amount, duty station and other benefits determine whether the internship is affordable. The UN Secretariat’s applicant guide describes unpaid internships, so treating every UN-branded opportunity as paid is a costly mistake.
| Budget item | What to verify before accepting |
|---|---|
| Stipend | Monthly amount, currency, tax treatment if applicable, start date and payment timing |
| Travel and visa | Who pays airfare, visa fees and local transport; whether the organization provides supporting documents |
| Housing and food | Local rent, deposit, utilities, groceries and any included accommodation |
| Insurance and emergencies | Required health coverage, out-of-pocket medical costs and a contingency reserve |
| Remote work | Whether the vacancy permits remote work, required hours, connectivity and equipment costs |
Example calculation: if estimated monthly living costs are $1,100 and a confirmed stipend is $800, your monthly funding gap is $300 before travel, insurance and unexpected expenses. These are hypothetical numbers for planning, not an actual UNICEF or UNDP stipend rate. The key question is not “Is it paid?” but “Can I meet the full cost safely?”
How to avoid fake UN internship offers
UNDP explicitly warns about fraudulent recruitment notices and says it does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment. A request to pay a “registration,” “processing,” “visa booking” or “guaranteed placement” fee to a recruiter is a serious warning sign. See UNDP’s official recruitment notice.
- Open the vacancy independently from the organization’s official careers website, rather than trusting a shortened link.
- Compare the job reference, location and closing date with the official listing.
- Never send payment or sensitive identity documents to an unverified intermediary.
- Be suspicious of promises of guaranteed selection, unusually fast approvals or interviews conducted only through informal messaging.
- Keep screenshots or records of the legitimate posting and your submitted application.
Frequently asked questions about UN internships
Can undergraduate students apply for UN internships?
Yes, for some programmes. UNICEF accepts eligible students enrolled in undergraduate programmes, while UNDP’s general internship criteria typically require the final year of a bachelor’s degree. Always check the exact posting.
Can I apply after graduating?
UNICEF generally allows graduates within two years of graduation; UNDP generally requires recent graduates to start within one year. A vacancy may have additional conditions.
Are UNICEF internships paid?
UNICEF says its interns receive a monthly stipend. Travel and visa support is not automatically included and may depend on available funds.
Are UNDP internships paid?
UNDP provides a monthly stipend that varies by duty station and assignment; external sponsorship may affect the arrangement. Confirm the terms in the offer.
Do all UN internships pay a stipend?
No. Different UN organizations have different policies. The UN Secretariat’s published applicant guidance describes unpaid internships, whereas UNICEF and UNDP provide stipends under their respective policies.
Can I apply for remote UN internships?
Some UNDP internships can be remote, and UNICEF or other UN entities may advertise different working arrangements. A remote option exists only when the particular vacancy permits it.
Does an internship guarantee a UN job afterward?
No. An internship can build relevant skills and professional experience, but it is not an employment promise. UNDP’s FAQ specifically says its internship programme is not connected to guaranteed recruitment.
Final checklist before you click Apply
- ☐ Official vacancy page and reference number confirmed
- ☐ Eligibility, language, graduation date and location checked
- ☐ Deadline and timezone recorded
- ☐ CV and cover letter tailored to the actual tasks
- ☐ Stipend, visa, housing and insurance costs understood
- ☐ Required files and reference arrangements ready
- ☐ Submission confirmation saved
Bottom line: Apply for a UN internship because the work fits your skills and goals, not because a post labels it “fully funded.” Start at the official careers portal, check the vacancy-specific requirements and costs, and submit an application built on real evidence.
Official sources and editorial note
RiseUp All consulted UNICEF’s internship programme, UNICEF internship FAQs, UNDP’s people programmes, UNDP careers FAQs, UNDP’s careers and fraud notice, and the UN Secretariat applicant guide. These sources describe general programme policies; a vacancy announcement and formal offer remain authoritative for that specific role. Reviewed 5 November 2026.
