Education Sector Internship – UNESCO

UNESCO Education Sector Internship 

Education Sector’s mission is to rally the world around the future of education. It provides global and regional leadership to ensure every child, youth and adult has access to quality education throughout life while keeping two priorities, Africa and Gender, in focus. 

• The intern will be based in UNESCO Headquarters, Field Offices and Category I Institutes around the world. 
• The Intern will have the opportunity to learn and support the overall work of the Education Sector/ programme’s mission.
• The intern will be selected according to their specialization and needs of the sector.
• Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment. 
• Specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will form part of the contract.

Tips for application

• Indicate your main expertise and sub area accordingly.
• Select “Multiple” if you do not have a preference for the duty station.
• Indicate the UNESCO programme areas you would like to have your internship in the application question.  

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) : 30 June 2026

Learning Objectives

• Gain insight into development and implementation of education projects. 
• Understand the context of global policy making in the field education projects, including role of international organizations through their work in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, enhancing human and institutional capacities and facilitating cooperation.
• Understand the approach to developing and managing education projects.
• Understand multilateral processes.
• Carry out data analyses as it relates to education.
• Design of policy briefs, using a variety of approaches including tools such as case studies, group discussion work, facilitator input and individual reflection.
• Understanding international project management through learning-by-doing approaches.
• Developing soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and work ethic.
• The intern will also gain an understanding of the overall work of UNESCO and be given an opportunity to develop soft skills of the UNESCO Competency Framework, in particular teamwork, flexibility, communication and client-focus.
• Developing domain knowledge in the field of education projects
• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C).
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C).
• Results focus (C)

Required Qualifications

Languages:

• You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

Communication skills:

• You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Computer skills:

• You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Age:

• You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

• At the time of your application to the internship programme:
• You should be currently enrolled AND on the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor’s degree;
  OR
• You should be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master’s or PhD degree or equivalent;
  OR
• You should have finished your Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree within the last 12 months (date of completion as indicated in diploma).
• Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical/vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.  

Team player:

• You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.