Duty Station:
- UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, or remotely (home-based depending on circumstances and organization needs).
Type of Contract:
- Internship position, offering an opportunity for practical experience within UNESCO’s Digital Bureau Solutions.
Duration of Contract:
- Flexible period ranging from 1 to 6 months, designed to accommodate academic schedules and project requirements.
Recruitment Open To:
- External candidates, including current students enrolled in graduate programs, recent graduates, or postgraduate individuals seeking internship experience.
Application Deadline:
- Midnight (Paris Time) on 31 December 2025. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
UNESCO Core Values
- Commitment to the Organization: Dedication to UNESCO’s mission and objectives.
- Integrity: Upholding honesty, transparency, and ethical standards.
- Respect for Diversity: Valuing cultural, linguistic, and individual differences within the workplace and beyond.
- Professionalism: Demonstrating competence, responsibility, and high-quality work in all tasks.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTION OF THE POST
The Digital Bureau Solution (DBS) is the primary team responsible for UNESCO’s ICT operations, reporting directly to the Assistant Director-General for Administration (ADG/ADM). The bureau plays a crucial role in implementing UNESCO’s overarching digital strategy by:
- Enhancing project and knowledge management systems to support effective program delivery.
- Ensuring the resilience and security of UNESCO’s IT infrastructure through best-in-class service management.
- Strengthening cybersecurity measures and digital risk management protocols to safeguard organizational data and operations.
The internship provides an exceptional opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain firsthand experience in UNESCO’s digital initiatives, supporting the bureau’s projects in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
AREAS OF ASSISTANCE AND TASKS
Interns will have the opportunity to contribute across several domains aligned with UNESCO’s digital priorities, including but not limited to:
1. Operations, Helpdesk, Network, Server, and Cloud Technologies
- Network Monitoring & Configuration:
Assist with monitoring network performance, diagnosing connectivity issues, and gaining practical experience configuring routers, switches, and firewalls. - Cloud Platforms:
Support setting up and configuring cloud resources on platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud; assist in planning the migration of applications and workloads to the cloud. - Troubleshooting:
Help identify and resolve network issues such as slow connections or outages, supporting the technical team. - Documentation:
Update and maintain detailed network diagrams, device inventories, and configuration documentation. - User Support:
Provide basic technical assistance to users, including password resets, account creation, and support ticket management.
2. Cybersecurity, Compliance, and AI
- AI & Generative AI:
Support the deployment, testing, and configuration of AI and GAI models developed by UNESCO for various applications. - Cybersecurity Awareness:
Develop content for workshops and training sessions to educate staff about cybersecurity threats, safe online practices, and security policies. - Phishing Simulations:
Coordinate simulated phishing campaigns to help staff recognize and respond to social engineering threats. - Policy Review:
Assist in reviewing and discussing cybersecurity policies to ensure staff awareness and compliance. - Vulnerability Scanning:
Analyze security vulnerability reports, discuss findings, and suggest mitigation strategies.
3. Development, Architecture, and Engineering
- Application Development:
Support designing, coding, and testing web and cloud-based applications using technologies like Salesforce, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, or Django. - UI/UX Enhancement:
Collaborate on improving user interfaces and experiences based on user feedback. - Reporting & Data Visualization:
Assist in creating reports and dashboards using tools such as Power BI or Salesforce to visualize data insights. - Data Management:
Support data cleaning, transformation, and preprocessing activities to improve data quality and facilitate analysis. - Testing & Quality Assurance:
Participate in debugging, testing, and ensuring the quality of applications and systems. - Documentation:
Contribute to documenting software features, code, and development processes for future reference.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas, including:
- Understanding the strategies and actions of UNESCO in the digital domain.
- Strengthening written communication and report-writing skills.
- Developing teamwork skills within a multicultural, international environment.
- Gaining technical expertise in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and application development.
- Building interpersonal skills suitable for a global working environment.
CORE AND MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES
Candidates are expected to demonstrate competencies aligned with UNESCO’s values, including:
- Accountability: Taking ownership of assigned tasks.
- Communication: Effectively conveying ideas and information.
- Innovation: Applying creative approaches to problem-solving.
- Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to organizational learning.
- Planning & Organizing: Managing time and resources efficiently.
- Results Focus: Achieving objectives effectively.
- Teamwork: Collaborating within diverse teams.
- Professionalism: Upholding high standards of conduct and work quality.
For detailed competency descriptions, please refer to the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Age:
- Applicants must be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
Academic Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s or PhD) or recently graduated (within the last 12 months) with a degree in a relevant field such as information technology, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, data science, or related disciplines.
- Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree but are not enrolled in a graduate program are not eligible.
- Those enrolled in secretarial, technical, or professional training programs must be in the final year of their studies or have graduated within the past 12 months from a recognized institution.
Languages:
- Proficiency in English or French (both written and spoken).
- Knowledge of the other official language (English or French) is considered an asset and beneficial for certain assignments.
Computer Skills:
- Strong command of computer systems and office software, including MS Office suite, email, and collaboration tools.
Interpersonal Skills:
- A proven ability to work effectively in team settings and adapt to an international multicultural environment.
Communication Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
- Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship period.
- While the internship is unpaid, interns gain valuable professional experience, exposure to UNESCO’s operations, and access to a global network.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
- The Internships Programme operates biannually, with application periods opening in January and July.
- Candidates must apply through the UNESCO internship portal, selecting the vacancy that best matches their skills and interests.
- Successful applicants will be placed in the intern talent pool, remaining valid for up to 6 months.
- Applications are reviewed by UNESCO managers worldwide; shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or further assessment.
- Applicants who are not selected in the current cycle are encouraged to reapply during subsequent application periods.
- Selected interns will be contacted directly by the respective hiring managers.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Prepare your motivation letter and résumé before starting your application. The application process must be completed within one hour.
- Ensure your contact details are valid and accessible for at least 6 months.
- Applications should be submitted in English or French. Unofficial translations are acceptable if documents are in other languages.
- UNESCO does not offer remuneration or financial compensation for internships; all costs are borne by the intern.
- Placement is not guaranteed; competition is high, and many qualified candidates apply.
- Your application will be stored and accessible to UNESCO managers globally for six months.
- If you do not receive feedback within six months, it indicates that your application was not successful.
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