For young professionals and students dreaming of launching a career within the United Nations system, 2026 presents an exciting opportunity. Several UN agencies have opened fully paid internship opportunities across different regions of the world, offering participants valuable international exposure, professional development, and hands-on experience in global development, migration management, sustainable development, communications, administration, monitoring and evaluation, and supply chain operations.

Among the organizations currently recruiting interns are the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). These prestigious institutions are seeking talented, motivated, and passionate young individuals to contribute to their missions while gaining practical experience in multicultural and international work environments.

These internships provide monthly stipends and the opportunity to work directly with experienced professionals while supporting initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why Consider a United Nations Internship?

Interning with a UN agency can be a transformative career experience. Participants gain:

• Practical international work experience
• Exposure to global development and humanitarian operations
• Professional networking opportunities
• Enhanced understanding of UN systems and procedures
• Mentorship from experienced international professionals
• Opportunities to develop technical and leadership skills
• Valuable experience that strengthens future job and graduate school applications
• Financial support through internship stipends

The current opportunities span multiple sectors and allow candidates to work on meaningful projects that positively impact communities worldwide.

 

1. IOM Supply Chain Intern – Ankara, Türkiye

Application Deadline: 9 June 2026

The International Organization for Migration is recruiting a Supply Chain Intern in Ankara, Türkiye. This internship offers a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in logistics, procurement, supply chain management, business administration, and humanitarian operations.

Internship Duration

• Initial duration: 3 months
• Internship category: Paid internship
• Contract type: Internship (2–6 months)

About IOM

Established in 1951, IOM serves as the leading United Nations agency dedicated to migration. The organization works closely with governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to promote safe, orderly, and humane migration worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will support logistics and procurement operations by:

• Following procurement and logistics documentation processes
• Managing filing and archiving systems
• Maintaining procurement records and contracts
• Preparing procurement documentation
• Supporting goods receipt verification procedures
• Assisting with payment processing and financial documentation
• Coordinating with finance teams regarding vendor payments
• Supporting other logistics and supply chain activities

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s degree or have graduated within the last 12 months
• Study Social Sciences, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related disciplines
• Be enrolled in a graduate degree programme, or possess equivalent qualifications
• Be between 20 and 36 years old
• Have less than two years of relevant work experience

Language Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Turkish

Benefits

• Monthly internship stipend
• Professional experience within a UN agency
• Occupational accident and illness coverage
• Exposure to international procurement and logistics operations
• Opportunity to work with migration-related programmes

 

2. IOM Monitoring and Evaluation Intern – Banjul, The Gambia

Application Deadline: 10 June 2026

The International Organization for Migration is also seeking a Monitoring and Evaluation Intern in Banjul, The Gambia.

This internship supports the implementation of the Migrant Protection Return and Reintegration for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) initiative and provides practical experience in programme monitoring, migration governance, data management, and impact assessment.

Internship Duration

• Initial duration: 6 months
• Paid internship

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Support monitoring activities related to reintegration programmes
• Assist with beneficiary tracking and database management
• Participate in field monitoring visits
• Assess reintegration support outcomes
• Contribute to the development of monitoring tools
• Support monthly monitoring reports
• Conduct data cleaning and analysis
• Assist with impact assessments of grants and community projects
• Monitor gender, age, and vulnerability indicators

Academic Requirements

Applicants should be:

• Final-year university students or
• Enrolled in advanced tertiary education programmes or
• Recent graduates

Preferred fields include:

• Development Studies
• Social Sciences
• Law
• Humanitarian Affairs
• Related disciplines

Required Skills

Candidates should possess:

• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent writing abilities
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
• Familiarity with Kobo Collect and Visio (advantage)

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in at least one local language

Benefits

• Monthly stipend
• Hands-on monitoring and evaluation experience
• Field exposure to migration and reintegration programmes
• Experience working with development and humanitarian data
• Professional networking opportunities

 

3. UNDP Communications and Programmes Internship – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Application Deadline: 16 June 2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering a Communications and Programmes Internship within the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund Secretariat.

The internship provides an exceptional opportunity for candidates interested in communications, public relations, media, social impact, sustainable development, and programme management.

Internship Duration

• 3 months
• Full-time internship

About the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund

The Fund supports initiatives that advance the Sustainable Development Goals in Malaysia, focusing particularly on vulnerable populations and communities at risk of being left behind.

The Fund promotes collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, NGOs, and development partners to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

Key Responsibilities

The intern will:

• Create social media content
• Support communication campaigns
• Draft captions and promotional materials
• Develop simple graphics and visual content
• Monitor stakeholder and grantee social media platforms
• Assist with event organization and documentation
• Conduct research and media due diligence
• Support grant review processes
• Assist with monitoring and evaluation activities

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree; or
• Have graduated within the previous year; or
• Be participating in a placement or traineeship programme

Preferred academic backgrounds include:

• Mass Communication
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Media Studies

Language Requirements

Candidates must possess working proficiency in:

• English
• Bahasa Malaysia

Technical Skills

Preferred skills include:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Teams
• Canva
• Adobe Creative Suite
• CapCut
• Video editing tools

Benefits

• Monthly stipend of RM637.50
• Experience supporting SDG implementation
• Exposure to UN communications and programme management
• Opportunities to engage with development partners and communities
• Enhanced professional portfolio development

 

4. UNOPS Administration Intern – Bangkok, Thailand

Application Deadline: 7 June 2026

UNOPS is recruiting an Administration Intern based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The position supports the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), a programme promoting sustainable and renewable energy development across Southeast Asia.

Internship Duration

• Six months
• Possibility of extension up to one year

About the Programme

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership works closely with governments and stakeholders to support cleaner energy systems, climate action, and sustainable development.

The programme primarily focuses on:

• Indonesia
• Philippines
• Vietnam

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will:

• Organize meetings and events
• Prepare meeting documentation
• Coordinate travel arrangements
• Support procurement and contract management
• Process project transactions
• Assist with Steering Committee meetings
• Compile programme reports
• Maintain databases and records
• Support administrative and fund management functions

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programme; or
• Have graduated within the previous three years

Preferred fields include:

• Public Administration
• Development Studies
• Social Sciences
• Related disciplines

Language Requirements

• Fluent English required

Preferred Experience

• Administration
• International Development
• Project Support
• Procurement
• Contract Management

Benefits

• Paid internship
• Potential extension to one year
• Exposure to regional sustainable energy initiatives
• International work experience
• Professional development within UNOPS

 

5. IOM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Intern – Athens, Greece

Application Deadline: Check Official Vacancy Announcement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also offering an exciting internship opportunity for aspiring professionals interested in mental health, psychosocial support, migration, humanitarian assistance, and community well-being. Based in Athens, Greece, the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Intern position provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience within one of the world’s leading migration organizations.

As migration challenges continue to affect millions of people worldwide, mental health and psychosocial support services have become increasingly important components of humanitarian and development responses. Through this internship, successful candidates will contribute to initiatives aimed at improving the psychological well-being and social resilience of migrants, refugees, and vulnerable populations.

About the Internship

The intern will support the implementation of mental health and psychosocial support programmes and activities under the supervision of experienced professionals. The position offers valuable exposure to humanitarian programming, case management systems, psychosocial interventions, and community-based support mechanisms.

Working within a multicultural and international environment, interns will gain firsthand knowledge of how mental health services are integrated into migration and humanitarian programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on programme needs, the selected intern may support:

• Mental health and psychosocial support activities for migrants and refugees.
• Community outreach and awareness initiatives.
• Documentation and reporting of programme activities.
• Data collection, analysis, and monitoring.
• Preparation of training materials and awareness campaigns.
• Coordination with implementing partners and stakeholders.
• Research on mental health and psychosocial support best practices.
• Administrative and logistical support for programme implementation.

Learning Opportunities

The internship provides opportunities to:

• Develop practical experience in humanitarian mental health programming.
• Learn about international migration and protection frameworks.
• Strengthen project management and coordination skills.
• Enhance monitoring, reporting, and data management competencies.
• Gain exposure to United Nations operational procedures.
• Build professional networks within the humanitarian and development sectors.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are generally expected to:

• Be enrolled in a university programme or have recently graduated.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in mental health, psychology, social work, public health, humanitarian affairs, migration studies, or related disciplines.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion, and humanitarian principles.
• Meet IOM internship eligibility requirements regarding age and academic status.

Benefits

Participants may receive:

• Monthly internship stipend (subject to IOM internship policies).
• Professional mentoring and supervision.
• International humanitarian work experience.
• Exposure to migration and protection programmes.
• Networking opportunities with UN and international development professionals.
• Valuable experience that can support future careers within the UN system and international organizations.

 

Why These UN Internships Stand Out

These opportunities represent some of the most attractive entry points into the United Nations system. Unlike many internships globally, these positions provide financial support through stipends while offering meaningful responsibilities and direct involvement in real-world development projects.

Participants gain exposure to:

• International migration management
• Monitoring and evaluation systems
• Sustainable Development Goals implementation
• Strategic communications
• Programme management
• Administrative operations
• Supply chain management
• Climate and energy transition initiatives

For students and recent graduates seeking careers within international organizations, these internships offer an excellent foundation for future employment opportunities in the development and humanitarian sectors.

Important Application Tips

1. Apply as early as possible before the deadline.
2. Tailor your CV and cover letter to each specific internship.
3. Highlight volunteer experience, leadership roles, and relevant coursework.
4. Demonstrate your commitment to international development and UN values.
5. Showcase language skills and digital competencies.
6. Carefully review all eligibility criteria before applying.
7. Prepare supporting documents in advance.

With application deadlines approaching quickly, interested candidates should begin preparing their applications immediately and submit them through the respective official recruitment platforms.

 

More global Internship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here