UNICEF Internship Programme: Eligibility, Stipend and How to Apply

UNICEF offers internships to students and recent graduates in its offices around the world. Internships normally last between 6 and 26 weeks and can be full-time or part-time. UNICEF pays interns a monthly stipend. There is no single yearly deadline: each internship is advertised as a vacancy with its own closing date.

This guide explains who can apply, what UNICEF provides, how to find vacancies and how to apply. It was last checked against the UNICEF careers website on 4 October 2026.

UNICEF Internship Programme at a glance

What does UNICEF provide?

• Stipend: UNICEF pays interns a monthly stipend, and the amount is set for each vacancy.
• Travel and visa: a one-time lump sum toward these costs may be given when funding is available. Do not count on it until it is confirmed in writing.
• Your own costs: rent, food and local transport may be higher than the stipend in expensive cities. Work out the difference before you accept.

UNICEF also provides visa support documents where you need them.

Who can apply?

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You are enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or you graduated within the past two years.
• You are proficient in at least one of UNICEF’s working languages: English, French or Spanish. Fluency in the working language of the office may also be required.
• You have no immediate relatives, such as a parent or sibling, working with UNICEF.

Documents you need

• An online application on the UNICEF careers site
• CV or resume
• A cover letter for the specific internship
• Proof of enrolment or graduation, when requested

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the UNICEF careers website and search for internships.
2. Read the vacancy: office, length, start date, language and study field.
3. Create your profile and fill in your education and experience.
4. Write a cover letter for that internship.
5. Submit before the closing date in the vacancy.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Apply to roles that match your studies, whether that is programme work, communications, data or operations.
• Show any volunteering or work with children, education, health or development.
• State your language level clearly.
• Apply early. Offices can review applications before the closing date.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending the same cover letter to every vacancy.
• Applying more than two years after graduating.
• Ignoring the language requirement of the office.
• Not checking the cost of living against the stipend.

How UNICEF internships are advertised

UNICEF offers internships throughout the year. There is no single annual deadline. Each office or division posts its own vacancy with its own closing date, tasks and requirements. Internships normally last between 6 and 26 weeks. Read each notice for the duty station, whether the work is on site or remote, the start date and the field of study it asks for.

WHO or UNICEF: which internship fits you?

You can apply to both. See our WHO Internship guide for its rules.

How to match your profile to a vacancy

1. Highlight the tasks and skills in the notice.
2. Next to each one, write a course, project or volunteer role where you did something similar.
3. If you can match at least two thirds of the list, apply. If not, look for a closer vacancy.
4. Use the notice’s own words for skills you truly have, so that the reader sees the match quickly.

A short cover letter structure

1. Opening: the vacancy title, and one sentence on why this work matters to you.
2. Evidence: two examples that show the skills in the notice, with results.
3. Fit: your availability, your language skills and what you hope to learn.

Example: "As a volunteer tutor, I designed reading sessions for 30 children who were out of school, and tracked their progress over six months. I would like to apply this experience to the education monitoring tasks in this vacancy."

Making the most of the internship

• Agree on two or three clear tasks with your supervisor in the first week.
• Keep a weekly record of what you did and what resulted.
• Ask for feedback halfway through, not only at the end.
• Before you leave, ask your supervisor whether they would be willing to act as a referee.

What can go wrong

• You apply to vacancies that do not match your field: these are filtered out quickly.
• You accept without a budget: a stipend may not cover an expensive city.
• You miss the reply: check your e-mail and spam folder often, because interview invitations can have short deadlines.
• You pay someone to "arrange" a place: apply only through UNICEF’s official careers website.

If you are invited to an interview

Interviews for internships are usually short and practical. Prepare clear answers to these questions:

• Why UNICEF, and why this office? Connect the office’s work for children to something you have studied or done.
• Tell us about a task you completed with little guidance. Use a real example with a result.
• Which tools can you use? Name them, and say where you used each one.
• When can you start, and for how long? Give exact dates.

Speak slowly and keep each answer to about one minute. If the interview is online, test your connection and sound beforehand.

A realistic timeline

1. Before you apply: prepare your CV, your transcript and proof of enrolment or graduation, so that you can apply quickly when a suitable vacancy appears.
2. When you apply: submit through UNICEF’s official careers website before the closing date in the notice.
3. While you wait: keep applying to other vacancies and opportunities. Offices contact the candidates they shortlist.
4. If you receive an offer: confirm the dates, the stipend and any travel support in writing before you book anything.

How to use the internship in later applications

An internship becomes useful for scholarships only if you can describe it precisely. During the internship, note each task, the tools you used and what changed because of your work. Afterwards, turn these notes into two or three CV lines with results, one story for essay or interview questions about teamwork or problem solving, and a request for a reference from your supervisor.

If you are not selected

Most applicants are not selected the first time, and offices rarely give feedback. Look again at how closely your profile matched the notice. Apply to vacancies in your own field and region, where your language skills and local knowledge are an advantage. In the meantime, add one concrete skill, such as a data tool or a short course with a final test, and apply again.

Documents to keep ready

Vacancies can close quickly, so keep these files up to date: your CV, your latest transcript, proof of enrolment or your degree certificate, a copy of your passport, and the names of two people who can confirm your work. Having them ready lets you apply on the day a suitable vacancy appears.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to several UNICEF vacancies?

Apply only to the ones that match your field and skills, and write a separate cover letter for each.

Can undergraduate students apply?

Yes. You must be at least 18 and enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or PhD programme, or have graduated within the past two years.

Is the stipend the same in every office?

No. The amount is set for each vacancy.

Will UNICEF pay for my travel?

A one-time lump sum toward travel and visa costs may be given when funding is available. It is not guaranteed.

Is the UNICEF internship paid?

Yes. UNICEF provides a monthly stipend to interns.

How long is it?

Normally between 6 and 26 weeks.

Can recent graduates apply?

Yes, if you graduated within the past two years.

Can I do it part-time?

Internships can be full-time or part-time, depending on the vacancy.

Is IELTS required?

UNICEF asks for proficiency in English, French or Spanish. It does not list one required test.

Where to apply

Find vacancies on the official UNICEF internships page. See also our WHO internship guide and our resume and CV guide.

For the key facts in one place, see our UNICEF Internship Programme page.