Internships

No provision is made for remuneration of Interns as per UN policy. All costs connected with Internships must therefore be borne by the Interns or their sponsoring institutions or governments, including costs relating to travel and living accommodation.

What type of work do interns do?

The kind of work interns are offered depends on UNHCR requirements as well as the qualifications and interests of the applicant. Most interns work on a project which will benefit both them and UNHCR, in fields such as refugee protection (legal), international relations, administration and public affairs.

How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted through our online applications. Since not all offices have access to the central database, it is recommended that, in addition to the online application, requests for internships be also submitted by separate mail with a covering letter to the field/branch office concerned.

The details of those who submit online applications will be stored for six months. Managers consult the database when searching for candidates with specific academic profiles. If your application interests one of our departments, the relevant manager will contact you directly. The Division of Human Resources Management does not coordinate this process. Should you not be contacted within six months of submitting your application, you may register again. Your previous registration will be cancelled.

Should you already be in contact with a manager interested in your candidature, an internship can still be offered without prior registration in the database.

If you experience problems with registration, please contact us at hqintrns@unhcr.org.

When are internships offered and when is the deadline for application?

Internships at UNHCR are on an on-going basis and are offered throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns. There is no deadline for sending in your application form.