About this opportunity
This is the African Union's general internship round, and it is open across the Commission. Interns support the administrative and technical work of departments and directorates that cover agriculture and rural development, economic development and trade, education and science, infrastructure and energy, political affairs and peace and security, health and humanitarian affairs, human resources, conference management, citizens and diaspora, gender and youth, legal counsel, protocol, partnership and resource mobilisation, and the NEPAD and Peace Fund structures.
The programme exists to give young Africans early, hands on exposure to how the continental body works. The Commission describes it as a way to complement your studies with professional experience, to build skills in an intercultural environment, and to serve as a grooming ground for future African leaders. You assist with live programmes, projects and activities rather than fetching coffee, and you work alongside staff from across the continent.
The entry requirements are clear and reachable. You need to be in at least the final year of a Bachelor's degree, or to hold a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in a related field, to be a national of an African Union Member State, to be fluent in at least one AU working language of Arabic, English, French or Portuguese, and to be no older than thirty two at the time of selection. Prior work experience is not required, which makes this a genuine first job route rather than a disguised vacancy.
Two things to plan for before you apply. The internship is unpaid, with the Commission stating plainly that it has no financial obligation towards interns, so travel, accommodation and living costs in Addis Ababa fall to you, and you need your own insurance cover for the duration. The AU does use reasonable efforts to help interns obtain entry and residence visas. Second, the AU CV template is mandatory: download it from the recruitment portal, fill it in, and upload it with your application. Placements run for three months and can be renewed once.
What you receive
- Full time internship at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Hands on professional exposure to the work of the continental body at an early stage of your career
- Placement across a wide range of departments and directorates, from agriculture and trade to peace and security, health and legal counsel
- Experience in a multicultural and intercultural working environment alongside staff from across the continent
- Assistance from the AU with reasonable efforts to obtain entry and residence visas
- Three month placement, renewable once
- No prior work experience required
Who can apply
- National of a Member State of the African Union
- Actively enrolled in at least the final year of a Bachelor's degree programme, or holding a Bachelor's degree or an advanced post graduate qualification in a related academic field
- Full time student currently enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor's or graduate school programme, or already qualified
- Fluent in at least one African Union working language of Arabic, English, French or Portuguese
- No more than thirty two years of age at the time of selection
- Highest standard of moral conduct and integrity
- Proficient computer skills in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus email and internet applications
- Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally and to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment
Who should not apply
- Applicants convicted of a serious criminal offence are excluded, minor traffic offences aside
- Nationals of countries outside the African Union Member States are not eligible
- Applicants who are not fluent in at least one AU working language are not eligible
Documents to prepare
- Completed online application through the African Union recruitment portal
- African Union CV template, which the Commission states is mandatory, downloaded from the portal and uploaded with the application
- Motivation letter explaining what you expect to gain from the internship programme
- Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
- Certified copies of relevant academic certificates
- Current curriculum vitae
- Recommendation letter for the internship from the institution of learning you attend
- Proof of individual insurance cover for the duration of the internship
How to apply
- Open the African Union Internship Program posting at https://jobs.au.int/job/Internship-Program/1506-en_US
- Download the African Union CV template from the posting, in English or French, and fill it in, since the Commission states its use is mandatory
- Go to the apply route for this posting at https://jobs.au.int/talentcommunity/apply/1506/?locale=en_US and register an account if you are a first time user of the online system
- Complete the profile with as much relevant information as you can provide
- Upload the AU CV together with your motivation letter, passport or national identity card, certified academic certificates, current curriculum vitae and recommendation letter from your institution
- Submit before 31 December 2026 and keep the email confirmation that arrives after a successful submission
Selection process
- Applications are submitted online through the African Union recruitment portal and reviewed against the eligibility requirements for the programme
- Candidates must meet the nationality, study level, language and age requirements set out in the posting
- Shortlisted candidates are considered for placement in one of the departments and directorates listed in the posting
- A successful applicant receives an email confirmation once the application has been received, and the internship is authorised for three months with one renewal possible
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Is the internship paid?
No. The African Union Commission states that it has no financial obligation towards interns, that travel, accommodation and living costs are the responsibility of the intern, and that interns are not entitled to compensation for travel.
Do I need work experience?
No. The posting states that prior work experience is not required for the internship positions.
Which countries can apply?
Nationals of a Member State of the African Union, which covers the 55 AU Member States.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Applicants must be no more than thirty two years of age at the time of selection.
How long does the internship last?
Three months, renewable one time for any candidate.
What language must I speak?
Fluency in at least one of the African Union working languages of Arabic, English, French or Portuguese. Proficiency in one AU official working language with fluency in another is listed as an added advantage.
Can I use my own CV?
No. The AU Recruitment Team states that use of the African Union CV template is mandatory, and the template is available to download in English or French from the posting.
Where is the internship based?
At the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Commission uses reasonable efforts to assist interns in obtaining entry and residence visas.
Important disclaimer
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