UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship 2025

Get latest opportunities in your email

About UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship

Under the authority of the Cabinet Coordination Officer, and under the supervision of one of the Director-General’s advisors, the intern will assist the Advisor in preparing files on subjects related to the fields of competency of UNESCO (education, science, culture, social and human sciences and communication). 

In this way, the intern will gain knowledge of UNESCO’s working environment and operations (including its mandate and cooperation with specialized UN agencies). They will also develop an understanding of UNESCO’s interactions with other international institutions (the United Nations system and the 2030 Agenda). 

TASKS

During the internship, the intern will be called on to: 

Assist the Advisor in preparing notes and opinions on administrative, political and communications issues related to the activities and fields of competency of UNESCO. 

In addition, interns in the Speechwriting Pool (Pôle Langage) will help prepare elements for various interventions by the Director-General (in French and in English). They will help write speeches, talking points, messages, editorials, articles and forewords. They will also carry out documentary research with a view to preparing speeches or official visits by the Director-General. Under the supervision of the Head of the Pôle Langage, they will also revise correspondence to be signed by the Director-General. 
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the approach to developing and managing communication and information projects 
• Understand multilateral processes. 
• Carry out data  analyses as it relates to communication and information. 
• Design of policy briefs , using a variety of approaches including tools such as case studies, group discussion work, facilitator input and individual reflection. 
• Gain insight into development and implementation of communication and information projects 
• Understand the context of global policy making in the field of communication and information 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.
• Understanding international project management through learning-by-doing approaches.
• Developing domain knowledge in the field of communication and information projects
• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.
• 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.

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)

• Sponsor Organisation: UNESCO

Benefits of UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship

• UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments. However, interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship.

UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship Requirements

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

At the time of your application to the internship programme:

You are currently enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent, second university degree or higher).
You have recently graduated with a Master’s degree or PhD (or second degree as defined above), 12 months prior to the start of the internship.
 

Please note that candidates who have completed their full-time bachelor's degree but are not enrolled in a graduate programme are not eligible to apply.

Applicants in secretarial/assistant or technical/professional assignments must be enrolled in a secretarial school or in a specialized technical/professional 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.  

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.

Computer skills: You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Team player:

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

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

KEEP IN MIND

• Have your motivation letter and résumé ready before filling out the application form. You only have one hour to finish the process.
• Make sure your contact details will be valid in next 6 months. 
• You can only use either English or French in applying.
• Please provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.
• UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments.
• Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. They receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.
• Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in their internship portal for a period of six months.
• They do not respond to each and every candidate. If selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.

Application Deadline

31 December, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship

Apply for UNESCO Office of the Director-General Internship