UNHCR Internship Programs

UNHCR is looking for talented, motivated, and passionate individuals from around the world who bring knowledge, innovative thinking, and diverse ideas to enhance their capacity to support people forced to flee.

📖 About UNHCR Internship Programs

UNHCR’s Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience in the humanitarian sector in line with their academic program and future career aspirations.

Opportunity Details:

• Date Published: March 24, 2025
• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Category: Internship
• Sponsor Organisation: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Length of Placement:

Internships can begin at any time during the year and typically last between two to six months, with the possibility of extension:

• Full-time internships: Up to 8 months
• Part-time internships: Up to 12 months

Note: The maximum periods apply cumulatively, including any prior internships at UNHCR.

🎁 Benefits of UNHCR Internship Programs

Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help support costs related to food, local transportation, and living expenses.

Allowance Details:

• Full-time internships:
  • 50% of the monthly net salary of the General Service (GS) level 3 step 1 in “H” duty stations
  • 70% of the monthly net salary of the GS level 3 step 1 in all other duty stations
• Part-time internships: 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station
• Remote internships: Also compensated

Additional Benefits:

• Travel Reimbursement: UNHCR reimburses return travel costs to/from the duty station for interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station.
• Visa Support: UNHCR provides support with required documents, but visa costs are the intern's responsibility.

Medical Insurance:

• Interns must arrange and provide proof of valid medical insurance covering the internship period.
• The insurance should cover both accident and illness, with necessary geographical coverage.
• UNHCR does not cover medical insurance costs or medical evacuation expenses.

✅ UNHCR Internship Programs Requirements

To be considered for an internship, candidates must:

• Be a recent graduate (completed studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate program from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO.
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to, or of interest to, the work of the organization.
• Not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member or affiliate at the time of application.
• Not have exhausted the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR (8 months for full-time and 12 months for part-time).
• Be proficient in English at a minimum B2 level.

📅 Application Date and Process

• The application process is ongoing. Visit the UNHCR Internship Programs page to view current internship vacancies.
• Apply directly through the UNHCR Workday Jobs Portal.

For more details about the program, visit the official UNHCR Internship Programs page.

• Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help support costs related to food, local transportation and living expenses.
• The allowance for full-time internships corresponds to:
  • 50% of the monthly net salary of the General Service (GS) level 3 step 1 in “H” duty stations.
  • 70% of the monthly net salary of the GS level 3 step 1 in all other duty stations.
• The allowance for part-time internships is calculated at 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station.
• Remote internships are also compensated.
• UNHCR will reimburse interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station for return travel costs to/from the duty station by the most economical route available.
• Candidates are responsible for arranging medical insurance and for providing proof to UNHCR of valid medical insurance covering the period of the contract.