UNICEF Venture Fund Internship 2026 – 6-Month Paid Internship in Sweden or Remote

The UNICEF Office of Innovation is inviting applications for the UNICEF Venture Fund Internship 2026, an exciting opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, research, investment, global development and social impact.

UNICEF is looking for two interns to join its Office of Innovation and work directly with the Venture Fund team. The internship lasts six months, is part-time, and can be completed either in person in Stockholm, Sweden, or remotely.

The internship provides practical exposure to startup sourcing, due diligence, portfolio management, research, data analysis, knowledge management, resource mobilization and engagement with UNICEF country offices.

Quick Facts

• Organization: UNICEF
• Office: UNICEF Office of Innovation
• Programme: Venture Fund Internship
• Job Number: 595661
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden
• Work Mode: In-person or remote
• Duration: 6 months
• Workload: Part-time
• Number of Interns: 2
• Level: Internship
• Field: Innovation, Venture Funding, Knowledge Management
• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Financial Support: Monthly stipend
• Application Deadline: 25 September 2026
• Application: UNICEF Careers

About the UNICEF Venture Fund

The UNICEF Venture Fund was established in 2015 to support early-stage, open-source technology solutions that can improve outcomes for children and communities.

The Fund focuses on emerging and frontier technologies and has supported solutions in areas including:

• Artificial intelligence
• Data science
• Blockchain
• Virtual and augmented reality
• Internet of Things
• UAVs and drones
• Assistive technology
• Other emerging technologies

UNICEF uses the Venture Fund to identify promising technology solutions, learn from their development and explore how successful innovations can be scaled to benefit children in different countries.

About the Internship

The selected interns will work directly with the Venture Fund team within UNICEF’s Office of Innovation.

The internship is designed to provide practical experience across several Venture Fund workstreams, including startup sourcing and due diligence, knowledge generation, resource mobilization, portfolio management and country-office engagement.

Interns will work with colleagues from different professional and cultural backgrounds and gain insight into how an international organization evaluates, supports and scales innovative technology solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the team’s requirements, interns may contribute to:

Startup Sourcing and Due Diligence

• Conducting market research and scoping
• Reviewing startup applications
• Preparing evaluation notes
• Maintaining sourcing pipeline trackers
• Generating insights for specific investment calls

Research and Knowledge Management

Interns will help develop and organize:

• Research briefs
• Insight articles
• Investment cases
• Case studies
• Slide decks
• Website content
• Other Venture Fund knowledge products

Resource Mobilization

Interns may support the preparation of:

• Briefing notes
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Resource mobilization materials
• Materials communicating the Fund’s results and value

Portfolio Management

The role can also involve:

• Maintaining workplan trackers
• Organizing portfolio information
• Preparing internal portfolio updates
• Supporting communication with Venture Fund cohorts

UNICEF Country Office Engagement

Interns may help:

• Maintain engagement trackers
• Prepare meeting summaries
• Develop outreach materials
• Support follow-up activities
• Help identify pathways for promising solutions to move from pilot to scale

What Will You Learn?

The UNICEF Venture Fund Internship can provide practical experience in both international development and innovation.

According to UNICEF, interns can develop skills and knowledge in:

• Global development challenges
• Innovation for children
• Startup and technology research
• Writing and editing
• Data analysis
• Database management
• Excel and Power BI
• Investment and portfolio-related work
• Communication with international professionals
• Knowledge-product development
• Scaling innovative solutions

Interns will also gain exposure to professionals working across UNICEF’s global Office of Innovation.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements.

Academic Background

Applicants must either:

• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme, or
• Have graduated from a relevant programme within the past two years.

Relevant academic backgrounds include:

• Social and Economic Development
• Business Administration
• Political Science
• Economics
• Innovation
• Public Administration
• Related disciplines

Applicants from other relevant fields may also be considered where their background aligns with the internship.

Skills and Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Good time-management skills
• Good interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in a diverse and multicultural environment
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365

Familiarity with SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams is specifically listed by UNICEF.

Desirable Experience

The following experience can strengthen an application:

• Private-sector experience
• Public-sector experience
• Experience working in an emerging economy or UNICEF programme country
• Academic experience related to innovation
• Volunteer experience in innovation
• Professional experience related to entrepreneurship or technology

Previous experience is listed as an asset rather than an absolute requirement.

Language Requirements

Excellent written and spoken English is essential.

Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage, including:

• French
• Russian
• Arabic
• Spanish
• Chinese

Other Conditions

Applicants should also meet UNICEF’s internship conditions.

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Good academic performance
• Must be able to participate on a part-time basis
• Must have medical insurance covering the internship period and location
• Must have access to a laptop and internet connection
• Must not have an immediate relative working in a UNICEF office
• Must not have another relative in the line of authority to which the intern would report

UNICEF states that selected interns receive a monthly stipend, unless they are already receiving third-party support for the internship. Interns are responsible for their own travel and living expenses.

Is the UNICEF Internship Paid?

Yes. UNICEF states that selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend, subject to its internship conditions.

However, this should not be confused with a full scholarship or fully funded internship. UNICEF specifically states that interns must cover their own travel and living expenses.

For remote interns, applicants are also expected to provide their own laptop and reliable internet connection.

Location and Work Arrangement

One of the notable features of this internship is its flexibility.

The vacancy is based in Stockholm, Sweden, but UNICEF allows the internship to be carried out:

In person in Stockholm

or

Remotely

The position remains part-time and lasts for six months.

This makes the opportunity relevant to students who may want international UNICEF experience without relocating to Sweden.

Who Should Apply?

This internship may be particularly suitable for students and recent graduates interested in:

• Entrepreneurship
• Venture capital
• Startup ecosystems
• Innovation
• Technology
• International development
• Public policy
• Economics
• Business
• Social impact
• Data analysis
• Knowledge management
• Emerging technologies
• UNICEF and the UN system

Candidates with an interest in technology-driven solutions for children and communities may find the Venture Fund’s work especially relevant.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply through the official UNICEF Careers portal.

Application Steps

1. Visit the official UNICEF Careers website.
2. Search for Job Number 595661.
3. Review the complete Venture Fund Internship vacancy.
4. Prepare your CV and relevant academic information.
5. Highlight your experience in innovation, research, entrepreneurship, technology or development.
6. Demonstrate your analytical, organizational and communication skills.
7. Submit the online application through UNICEF’s recruitment system.
8. Complete the application before the deadline.

UNICEF states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

25 September 2026

The official UNICEF vacancy lists the closing time as 11:55 PM Central European Daylight Time (CEST).

Because the deadline is approaching, eligible candidates should submit their applications as early as possible.

Important Note About UNICEF Recruitment

UNICEF states that it does not charge any processing fee at any stage of recruitment, including application, interview, validation, appointment or training.

Applicants should only apply through official UNICEF recruitment channels and should not provide bank-account information to anyone claiming to represent UNICEF during the recruitment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UNICEF Venture Fund Internship fully funded?

No. It is a paid internship with a monthly stipend, but UNICEF states that interns must fund their own travel and living expenses.

Can international students apply?

The vacancy does not restrict applications to a particular nationality. UNICEF encourages applications reflecting diversity in nationality and culture, and qualified candidates from different backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Can I work remotely?

Yes. The vacancy is offered in person in Stockholm or remotely.

How long is the internship?

The internship lasts six months and is part-time.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme or have graduated within the previous two years. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and meet UNICEF’s other internship conditions.

What academic backgrounds are relevant?

UNICEF specifically lists Social and Economic Development, Business Administration, Political Science, Economics, Innovation and Public Administration, along with related fields.

Is previous work experience required?

Previous private-sector, public-sector, emerging-economy or innovation-related experience is listed as desirable, but it is not stated as a mandatory requirement.

How many interns will UNICEF select?

The current UNICEF vacancy states that it is looking for two interns to join the Office of Innovation in Stockholm.

Final Thoughts

The UNICEF Venture Fund Internship 2026 offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and international development.

Unlike a conventional internship focused on one technical area, the role covers startup sourcing, due diligence, research, portfolio management, data analysis, knowledge products and engagement with UNICEF country offices.

The combination of six months, part-time work and the option to work remotely makes this a particularly accessible international internship opportunity for eligible students and recent graduates.

The application deadline is 25 September 2026, so candidates interested in innovation, venture funding, emerging technology and global development should review the official vacancy and apply before the closing date.