UN Internship For Undergraduates 2025
The United Nations is a globally respected organization dedicated to peace, sustainability, and humanitarian progress. The UN internship program offers opportunities in major locations such as New York, Geneva, Nairobi, Amman, Bangkok, Dubai, and more. Aspiring interns can explore roles in policy analysis, communications, environmental affairs, logistics, human rights, innovation, and programme management. If you are seeking UN jobs across diverse sectors like development, security, and global cooperation.
UN Internships High School | United Nations Summer Internships Program
Overview of the Organization
Founded in 1945, the United Nations plays a critical role in international diplomacy, peacekeeping, and sustainable development. Its core values—promoting peace, equity, and human rights—guide its work in over 190 countries. The UN fosters innovation, collaboration, and professional growth by offering structured mentorship, training programs, and opportunities to work on projects that directly impact global communities.
Internship Salary
While working at the UN is highly rewarding, most internships are unpaid, and interns are responsible for covering their own living, travel, and insurance costs. However, the professional development at the UN is unmatched, offering hands-on experience, exposure to international policymaking, and opportunities to collaborate with global experts. The employee experience at the UN is defined by purpose-driven work and the chance to contribute to impactful change.
Latest Internship Opportunities
Current UN internship programs for 2025 include:
- Human Rights Intern – Geneva, Switzerland
- Trade and Development Intern – Geneva, Switzerland
- Communications Intern – Paris, France
- Project Vision Intern – Bangkok, Thailand
- Programme Management Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- Political Affairs Intern – New York, USA
Internship Benefits
UN employee benefits for interns are focused on professional growth rather than financial incentives. These include:
- Exposure to international policymaking and diplomacy
- Networking opportunities with professionals from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds
- Access to UN training materials, workshops, and seminars
- Experience in cross-functional teams working on global challenges
- A certificate of internship completion from the UN
These working perks at the UN provide a strong foundation for future careers in international organizations and NGOs.
Internship Interview Questions
Expect interview questions that assess your understanding of the UN’s mission and your ability to work in a multicultural, high-pressure environment. For example: “How would you contribute to advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through your role?” This gauges your motivation, problem-solving approach, and alignment with the organization’s values.
Minimum Eligible Criteria
To qualify for a UN internship, candidates must:
- Be enrolled in or have recently completed a graduate or undergraduate degree
- Possess strong analytical, research, and communication skills
- Be proficient in English (knowledge of additional UN official languages like French, Spanish, or Arabic is a plus)
- Demonstrate commitment to the values and principles of the UN
- Meet any role-specific technical or academic requirements
These UN hiring requirements ensure candidates have the skills for UN jobs and can contribute effectively.
How to Apply at the United Nations Internship?
- Visit the official UN Careers website and navigate to the Internship Programme section.
- Select the internship vacancy that matches your skills and interests.
- Prepare your application, including a detailed CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts.
- Submit the application through the UN online recruitment platform (Inspira).
- Complete any additional assessments or interviews if shortlisted.
- Await confirmation from the UN recruitment team, which may take several weeks.