UNESCO Internship Programme: Education Sector (Multiple Locations)

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UNESCO Internship Programme: Education Sector (Multiple Locations)

Duty Station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes
Type of Contract: Internship
Duration of Contract: Maximum 6 months
Recruitment Open To: External Candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 31 December 2025

UNESCO Core Values:

Commitment to the Organization
Integrity
Respect for Diversity
Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The mission of the Education Sector at UNESCO is to unite global efforts on the future of education. This sector provides both global and regional leadership to ensure that every child, youth, and adult has equitable access to quality education throughout their life. It pays particular attention to two key priorities: Africa and Gender.

UNESCO harnesses its capabilities to translate ambitious visions into reality, facilitating transformative changes in education by convening various stakeholders around the goals established in the Education 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, especially those outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). The Education Sector employs the Education 2030 Framework for Action as a comprehensive guide for its initiatives and activities.

The role of the internship position does not involve UNESCO’s broader external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.

Areas of Activity Covered by the Education Sector:

The Education Sector addresses a wide array of educational development needs, spanning from early childhood initiatives to higher education and beyond. The themes of focus include but are not limited to:

Curriculum Development and Education Policy
Early Childhood Care and Education
Education Financing
Education for Sustainable Development
Education in Emergencies
Education for Gender Equality (including gender-transformative education and girls’ and women’s education)
Global Citizenship Education
Health and Well-being in Education
Higher Education Policies
Inclusive Education
Learning Assessment Techniques
Leveraging Technology for Education
Literacy and Adult Education Initiatives
Right to Education Advocacy
SDG 4 Coordination and Monitoring Efforts
Education Policy and Planning
Education Policy Research
Skills Development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Teacher Education Initiatives

The intern will have a unique opportunity to learn about and support the mission of the Education Sector while assisting in various tasks tailored to their specialization and the sector’s needs. Specific Terms of Reference and defined learning objectives will be included in the agreement.

Interns will be placed at UNESCO Headquarters, Field Offices, or Category I Institutes worldwide, and the work they undertake may fall under one or more categories depending on team requirements.

TASKS

Programme and Project Support:

Participate in preparing and reviewing project documents while drafting notes and technical annexes.
Prepare conceptual frameworks and concept notes addressing new areas of work or developmental challenges.
Collect, organize, and analyze pertinent data to support educational initiatives.
Assist in developing technical support for new educational interventions or projects.
Contribute to the production of documents, working papers, and concept notes that focus on areas of educational importance or developmental challenges.

Research and Knowledge Management:

Undertake specific research tasks to develop defined segments of work products such as publications, documents, and project proposals.
Contribute to the creation of knowledge and communication materials designed to advocate for and promote awareness of educational issues.
Actively participate in meetings, conferences, and seminars to further the objectives of the Education Sector.

Partnerships:

Analyze and compile data for potential partnerships and fundraising opportunities.
Arrange briefings, visits, tours, meetings, and other collaborative activities critical to forming strong partnerships in education.
Liaise and maintain networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organizations, and member country delegations.

Operations Support:

Provide administrative and logistical assistance in planning and organizing meetings, events, workshops, and conferences in coordination with other staff members.
Support the preparation of budgets, financial and accounting documents, and project documentation for evaluation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Interns participating in this program will gain invaluable insights into various elements of educational project development and management, including but not limited to:

Understanding the methodologies used in developing and managing education projects effectively.
Gaining insight into the multilateral processes influencing global education policy.
Developing skills in data analysis relevant to the field of education.
Designing policy briefs utilizing diverse approaches such as case studies, group discussions, and individual reflection.
Learning about the development and implementation of education projects within various contexts.
Understanding the framework of global policymaking in education, as well as the roles international organizations play in standard setting, knowledge exchange, policy advice, and capacity building.
Engaging in practical, hands-on learning opportunities that enhance international project management skills.
Deepening domain knowledge within the education sector.
Strengthening research, writing, and communication abilities.
Cultivating soft skills such as stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication.

Interns will also gain a comprehensive understanding of UNESCO’s broader mission, which will allow them to develop essential skills outlined in the UNESCO Competency Framework, focusing on teamwork, flexibility, communication, and client-centric approaches.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement (C)
Planning and Organizing (C)
Results Focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)

For a detailed overview, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

Applicants must be at least 20 years old to qualify.

Academic Qualifications:

At the time of application, candidates should either be currently enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent) or have graduated with a Master’s degree or PhD within the last 12 months before the internship starts.
Academic studies should be related to UNESCO’s fields of competence, such as Education, Culture, Sciences, Communication, Social Sciences, Law, Human Resources, Management Studies, International Relations, or other relevant areas.
Strong academic performance must be evidenced by recent certificates or official records from the corresponding educational institution.

Note: Candidates who have completed a full-time bachelor’s degree but are not enrolled in a graduate program are not eligible for this internship.

Languages:

Proficiency in English or French (both written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of the other language is an asset, and additional language requirements may vary by duty station.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in computer systems and office-related software is essential.

Team Player:

Candidates should possess the ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to an international work setting.

Communication Skills:

Strong interpersonal and communication skills are highly valued.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Please be aware that UNESCO does not offer remuneration for internships. Therefore, there will be no financial compensation or benefits provided to interns. However, interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

UNESCO’s Internship Programme accepts applications biannually, in January and July. Candidates must apply for internship vacancies that align with their expertise and interests explicitly. Those whose applications are successful will be retained in an intern talent pool and further evaluated for selection by corresponding hiring managers. The validity of applications remains for six months. Selected candidates will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager, whereas those not selected for internships in the current cycle must reapply when new vacancies are announced.

KEEP IN MIND

Prepare your motivation letter and résumé before starting the application process, as you will have a one-hour time limit.
Ensure your contact information is accurate and valid for the next six months.
Applications must be completed in either English or French.
If your documents are not in English or French, provide an unofficial translation.
There is no guarantee of placement, as demand surpasses available positions.
Applications will be reviewed by UNESCO managers globally and will remain in the internship portal for six months.
Only selected candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive feedback within six months, it indicates an unsuccessful application.

TIPS FOR APPLICATION

Clearly indicate your main areas of expertise and subfields when applying.
If you are flexible regarding the duty station, select “Multiple” in your application.
Specify the UNESCO program areas in which you wish to intern in your application responses.

UNESCO Careers Page

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