UNHCR Internship Programme 2026

UNHCR is looking for talented, motivated and passionate individuals – like you – from around the world who bring knowledge, innovative thinking and different ideas to enhance our capacity to support people forced to flee.

UNHCR’s Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience in the humanitarian sector in line with their academic programme and future career aspirations. Internships are open to all nationalities.

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

UNHCR Internship Programme

Aim and Benefits of UNHCR Internship Programme

Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help support costs related to food, local transportation and living expenses.

The allowance for full-time internships corresponds to:

• 50% of the monthly net salary of the General Service (GS) level 3 step 1 in “H” duty stations*
• 70% of the monthly net salary of the GS level 3 step 1 in all other duty stations

The allowance for part-time internships is calculated at 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station. Remote internships are also compensated.

Unless provided or paid by their sponsoring entities, UNHCR will also reimburse interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station for return travel costs to/from the duty station by the most economical route available irrespective of the duration of the journey. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange for a visa and to cover related visa costs. UNHCR can provide support with the required documents.

Requirements for UNHCR Internship Programme Qualification

Internships are open to all nationalities.

To be considered for an internship, candidates must:

• be a recent graduate* or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO
• have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to, or of interest to, the work of the organization
• not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member on any contract type or as an affiliate at the time of application
• not have exhausted the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR, including any prior internships (8 months for full-time and 12 months for part-time)
• be proficient in English at minimum B2 level.

*Recent graduates are considered to be candidates who completed their studies within two years of applying for an internship with UNHCR.

Interview date, Process and Venue for UNHCR Internship Programme

Location

Internships are offered at various locations, including UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, the Global Service Centres in Amman, Budapest and Copenhagen, or in field country offices. Subject to approval of their managers, interns may telework within or outside of the country of duty station.

Internships are made available based on the needs of offices and their capacity to receive and supervise interns and provide them with meaningful assignments.

Length of placement

Internships can begin at any time during the year and normally last between two to six months with the possibility of extension:

• up to eight months for full-time; or
• up to 12 months for part-time internships.

Above maximum periods apply cumulatively, including any prior internships at UNHCR.

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Application Deadline

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply via the main UNHCR recruitment platform.

Our Application and selection page explains how create an account in the recruitment platform and apply for roles.

For more details, visit UNHCR Career webpage