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A UNICEF internship is open to students and recent graduates aged 18 or over, normally lasts between six and 26 weeks, and can be full-time or part-time. You apply to individual vacancies on UNICEF’s careers site, each with its own deadline, location and requirements, rather than to one programme-wide intake. Pay and support are not the same for every placement, so check each vacancy before you assume a stipend, travel or housing.
UNICEF internship at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | People aged 18 or over who are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or who graduated within the past two years. |
| How long is an internship? | Normally six to 26 weeks, full-time or part-time. |
| Where are the placements? | UNICEF offices around the world. The location is stated in each vacancy. |
| Languages | UNICEF’s working languages are English, French and Spanish, and vacancies usually ask for at least one. Some posts ask for more. |
| Is it paid? | It depends on the office and vacancy. Read the vacancy notice rather than assuming a stipend. |
| Visa help | UNICEF says it provides supporting documents for visa applications where they are needed. |
| When can I apply? | Vacancies are advertised throughout the year, each with its own closing date. |
What the requirements look like in practice
- Programme-wide: age, your student or recent-graduate status and strong academic performance.
- Vacancy-specific: the field of study, technical skills, languages, relevant experience and the exact start date and duration. Meeting the general conditions does not mean you meet every vacancy’s conditions.
- Location-specific: whether you can live and work in the country where the office sits, which depends on your nationality and the local rules.
How to apply
- Open the UNICEF internships page and follow its link to the current internship vacancies.
- Filter by internship and by the team, subject or location you want.
- Read the whole vacancy: duration, duty station, required degree, languages, and any pay or support details.
- Apply to the vacancies that match your profile, with an up-to-date CV, a cover letter written for that team, and your academic transcript.
- For questions the internship FAQs do not answer, UNICEF asks you to write to internship@unicef.org.
Questions to settle before you accept any internship abroad
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is there a stipend, and who pays it? | Pay differs between offices and vacancies, and living costs can be high in some cities. |
| Do I need a visa or permit to take the placement? | Rules depend on your nationality and the host country. Ask the office what documents it can provide. |
| Who covers travel and housing? | Do not assume these are included unless the vacancy says so. |
| Does the placement fit my study calendar? | Part-time and full-time options exist, and your university may need to approve credit or leave. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a UNICEF internship fully funded?
Not necessarily. Whether you receive a stipend, and any help with travel or visa costs, depends on the office and vacancy, so treat any “fully funded” claim with caution until you have read the vacancy.
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Can I apply after I graduate?
Yes, if you graduated within the past two years.
Is there one application for all UNICEF internships?
No. Each internship is advertised and assessed separately.
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Where to go next
- Plan what comes after with work visas for new graduates.
- See another international organisation placement in the UNU Junior Fellows internship in Tokyo.
- Compare it with the World Bank Group Pioneers internship programme.
- Budget for living abroad with visa financial requirements and how to prove them.
- Weigh destinations in best countries to study and work abroad.
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