The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is providing great internship opportunities in 2026 for students and recent graduates who are interested in international development and want to make a positive global impact. These internships are a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in a top UN agency that aims to improve reproductive health, gender equality, and young people’s empowerment globally.
About the Internship Programme
The UNFPA strives for a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-2029 aims to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and implement the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
The UNFPA’s efforts are based on four transformative outcomes:
- Achieving the unmet need for family planning
- Eliminating preventable maternal deaths
- Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices
- Adapting to demographic change through evidence-based and rights-centered policies
The UNFPA’s interns help with research, programs, communications, policy analysis, and operational assistance in different offices around the world, including some remote opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
Educational Requirements
The candidates must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have completed at least one academic year
- Enrolled in a postgraduate (master’s or higher) program
- Recently graduated and apply for the internship within one year of graduation
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional trainee program where the internship is part of the curriculum
Additional Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a strong interest in international development
- Be competent in English or French, and speak fluently the official language of the UNFPA office (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish)
- Be flexible and able to work with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Note: Applicants with immediate family members working for UNFPA are not eligible.
Required Competencies
Core Values
- Integrity and professionalism
- Commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Respect for cultural diversity
- Openness to change and innovation
Professional Competencies
- Results-oriented mindset
- Accountability and responsibility
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking
- Professional and technical expertise
- Teamwork and relationship-building skills
Financial Support
UNFPA offers monthly stipends to interns who are not supported by external institutions such as universities or governments. The amount of the stipend depends on the intern’s location of duty and is usually paid in local currency at the end of each month. Remote interns may receive stipends based on their agreed work location.
Why Apply?
An internship with UNFPA provides:
- Hands-on experience in international development
- Experience in global policy and humanitarian work
- Chances to contribute to high-impact programs
- Professional development opportunities in the United Nations system
- Networking opportunities with international experts and professionals
If you are interested in global development, gender equality, and the improvement of lives around the world, the UNFPA Internship Programme 2026 may be the entry point to an exciting international career.