UNHCR Internship Programme 2027 (Paid International Internship)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Internship Programme 2027 offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience in humanitarian work, refugee protection, international development, and emergency response. As the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR works to protect people forced to flee conflict, persecution, and other humanitarian crises.

The internship programme welcomes qualified applicants from around the world who want to develop their professional skills while contributing to work that supports refugees, internally displaced people, and stateless individuals. Internships are available throughout the year, depending on the needs and capacity of individual UNHCR offices.

Internship Benefits

UNHCR provides financial and professional support to eligible interns.

• Monthly allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an external sponsor receive an allowance to help cover food, local transportation, and living expenses.
• Travel reimbursement: Eligible interns recruited from outside the country of their duty station may receive reimbursement for economical round-trip travel, unless another sponsor covers the cost.
• International experience: Gain practical experience working with a United Nations humanitarian organisation.
• Professional development: Improve research, communication, project management, and analytical skills.
• Global networking: Collaborate with international colleagues and humanitarian professionals.
• Flexible arrangements: Depending on the position and supervisor’s approval, some internships may offer remote or flexible working arrangements.

Please note that the internship is partially funded rather than universally fully funded. Interns must arrange their own medical insurance and cover visa-related expenses. Accommodation costs are generally the responsibility of the intern.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the UNHCR Internship Programme, candidates must generally meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme at a university or higher education institution accredited by UNESCO, or have graduated within the previous two years.
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to UNHCR’s work.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English at a minimum B2 level.
• Not have a parent, sibling, or other specified immediate relative working for UNHCR as a staff member or affiliate.
• Meet the internship programme’s maximum cumulative service limits.

The programme is open to applicants of all nationalities, including candidates from Nepal.

Available Internship Fields

Depending on current vacancies, internship opportunities may be available in refugee protection, programme management, communications, public information, research, administration, finance, logistics, data analysis, and community development.

The exact responsibilities and required qualifications vary by vacancy.

Duration and Location

Internships normally last two to six months, with possible extensions up to eight months for full-time placements or 12 months for part-time placements. Opportunities may be available at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, global service centres, and country offices worldwide.

Application Deadline

There is no single annual deadline for all UNHCR internships. Vacancies are advertised throughout the year, and each position has its own application deadline.

How to Apply

Visit the official UNHCR careers website, search for available internship vacancies, review the specific eligibility requirements, and submit your application through the official recruitment platform.