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INTERNSHIP: Sciences

OVERVIEW

Type of contract : Internship

Duty Station : Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Application deadline : 31 December 2026 (Midnight)

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO's Sciences Sector (SC) advances sustainable development by promoting science, innovation and international cooperation to address global environmental, social and technological challenges. Guided by key international frameworks, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement (2015), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and the African Union's Agenda 2063, the Sector adopts a systemic and integrated approach to strengthening knowledge, building scientific capacity, supporting the sustainable management of natural resources, promoting climate resilience and biodiversity conservation, and fostering inclusive green economies.

 

 

The Sciences Sector also contributes to UNESCO's fundamental humanist mission by harnessing science to advance peace, inclusion and sustainable development. It supports efforts to combat violence, racism and discrimination, promote gender equality and social inclusion, foster intercultural dialogue, and expand opportunities for youth, women and persons with disabilities. In addition, the Sector promotes the ethical development and governance of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Through research, capacity-building, policy advice and advocacy, the Sciences Sector helps build more inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies grounded in scientific knowledge and international cooperation.

Areas of activity covered by the Sciences Sector include:

 

  • Inclusive knowledge and capacities of Member States strengthened to advance science for sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation and restoration, and disaster risk resilience.
  • Water science, innovation, education, management, cooperation, and governance strengthened for a water-secure world in a changing environment.
  • Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies strengthened through improved access to scientific knowledge, technological advancement, and Open Science.
  • Institutional and human capacities enhanced in basic sciences, engineering, research, innovation, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education for sustainable development.
  • Ethical governance of science and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), promoted in line with UNESCO's normative instruments.
  • Evidence-based policymaking fostered through interdisciplinary research, social transformations, and knowledge exchange.
  • Inclusive societies advanced by combating discrimination, racism, harmful stereotypes, and promoting intercultural dialogue, equality, and social cohesion.
  • Sport is leveraged as a tool for social inclusion, gender equality, disability inclusion, integrity, and peacebuilding.
  • Youth engagement strengthened through research, policy innovation, capacity building, and participation in global initiatives.

 

The Intern will support the overall work of the Sector :

  • Participate in the preparation and review of project documents, technical reports, policy briefs, and analytical papers.
  • Draft briefing notes, background documents, technical annexes, and progress reports.
  • Conduct research, collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and support evidence-based policy development.
  • Support communication and visibility activities through website updates, communication materials, and knowledge

dissemination.

  • Analyze opportunities for partnerships, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement while supporting coordination meetings.
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for workshops, conferences, consultations, and high-level meetings.
  • Assist in project planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and financial documentation.
  • Contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives linking science, innovation, ethics, sustainability, and social inclusion.
  • Perform additional programme-related tasks as required by the supervisor.

 

Topics covered across the Sciences Sector include:

  • Environment and Water Sustainability: Sustainable development, Climate action, Water cooperation, Biodiversity conservation and Ecosystem restoration, Geoparks and Indigenous knowledge, and Disaster Risk Reduction.
  • Science, Technology and Innovation: Engineering, Science, Innovation, Open science, STEM education, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics of Science and Technology
  • Social Development and Peace: Human rights, Social Inclusion and Justice, Intercultural Dialogue, Global Citizenship, Peace, Sport for development, and Youth empowerment.
  • Governance: Public policy and governance

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The intern will acquire an understanding of UNESCO's overall work and gain practical experience in project design, planning, implementation, and policy development within an international and multicultural environment. Learning objectives include:

 

  • Design policy briefs using approaches such as case studies, facilitated discussions, research synthesis, and stakeholder consultations.
  • Understand global policymaking processes and the role of international organizations in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, strengthening institutional capacities, and fostering international cooperation.
  • Gain practical experience in international project management through learning-by-doing.
  • Develop domain knowledge across scientific, technological, environmental, ethical, and social policy fields.
  • Strengthen analytical, research, writing, communication, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Contribute original ideas during project development, programme planning, and innovation discussions.
  • Develop administrative, organizational, stakeholder management, teamwork, problem-solving, and intercultural communication skills within the UNESCO Competency Framework.

 

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

  • Communication (C) 
  • Accountability (C) 
  • Innovation (C) 
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) 
  • Results focus (C) 
  • Teamwork (C) 
  • Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Age:

 

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

 

Academic qualifications:

 

You should be currently enrolled AND on the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor’s degree;

 

OR

 

You should be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent;

 

OR

 

You must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree no more than 12 months prior to the issuance of the Internship Agreement, as determined by the completion date indicated on your diploma.

 

Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical/vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.  

 

Languages:

You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

 

Computer skills:

You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

 

Team player:

You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.

 

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

 

UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments. 

 

Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

 

Interns are provided with a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

 

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

 

Candidates shall apply to this vacancy notice (or any of the available vacancy notices that match their expertise, domain, or interest). Please note that you are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening.

 

Candidates who successfully applied will stay in the intern talent pool and will be further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers.  The candidature will be valid for 6 months. Candidates who have been selected will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. If the candidate does not receive any update from UNESCO within six months, it means that the application has not been successful. 

 

KEEP IN MIND

 

Duration: The minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months.

 

Visa: You should be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

 

Travel: You must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.

 

Medical insurance: You must show proof of a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship. UNESCO will only provide a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

 

Supporting Documents: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide your proof of your identity (ID card or passport), Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma (if you have just recently graduated).

 

Leave: Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

 

Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (e.g., conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions. The internship arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern. Only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO will be executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.

 

BEFORE APPLYING

  • During the application process, you will be asked to answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any), and interests. You only have one hour to finish the process.

 

  • Make sure your contact details will be valid in the next 6 months. 

 

  • You can only use either English or French in applying.

 

  • Please provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.

 

  • Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.

 

  • Please note that you are submitting your application to become part of the pool of internship candidates. Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in our internship portal for a period of six months.

 

  • We do not respond to each and every candidate. If there is an internship opening and if you are selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager from the pool. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.

 

 

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