About this opportunity
FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security, working in more than 130 countries with over 195 Members. Its Regional Office for Africa Internship Programme brings talented young women and men into that work, pairing academic knowledge with a practical assignment in a field related to FAO's mission. Through the experience, interns contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to FAO's Strategic Framework for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, built on better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The internship is a learning placement first and foremost. You report to an assigned supervisor, work according to your profile and the needs of the Organization, and carry out the functions set out in the Terms of Reference prepared by the hiring office. Assignments last from 3 to 11 months at various locations within FAO's Regional Office for Africa. FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities.
To apply you should be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a bona fide educational institution, or be a recent graduate, with qualifications from an institution recognised in the World Higher Education Database. You must specialise in a field relevant to FAO's mission, have a working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish), be a national of an FAO Member, and be aged between 21 and 30. Adaptability to an international multicultural environment and good communication skills round out the profile FAO is looking for.
This is a call for expressions of interest (vacancy announcement 2601980), posted on 21 September 2026, and the portal shows a closing date of 31 December 2026 at 23:59. FAO encourages applicants to submit well before the
Application timeline
, and notes that candidates not selected before the closing date are asked to re-apply to new calls.
What you receive
- Practical work assignment in a field related to FAO's mission, supplementing academic knowledge
- Internships from 3 to 11 months with FAO's Regional Office for Africa at various locations
- Monthly stipend from FAO for interns who are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities
- Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and FAO's Strategic Framework for sustainable agri-food systems
- Experience in an international, multicultural UN work environment, with FAO core competencies in results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships and knowledge sharing
Who can apply
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a bona fide educational institution at the time of application, or a recent graduate
- Higher educational qualifications must come from an institution accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities and UNESCO
- Must specialise in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO
- Working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish), with knowledge of a second FAO language considered an asset
- Must be a national of an FAO Member
- Must be aged between 21 and 30
- Able to adapt to an international multicultural environment with good communication skills
- Candidates should adhere to FAO values of commitment to FAO, respect for all, and integrity and transparency
Who should not apply
- Candidates outside the age range of 21 to 30
- Applications received outside the FAO recruitment portal are not considered
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
Documents to prepare
- Letter of motivation
- Evidence of attendance at a recognised university (proof of enrolment)
- Copy of academic qualifications
- Complete online profile with accurate employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
How to apply
- Visit Jobs at FAO at https://jobs.fao.org and create an online profile, making sure it is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills
- Attach a letter of motivation, evidence of attendance at a recognised university or a copy of your academic qualifications to the online profile
- Open the vacancy page for the Internship Programme for Africa, announcement 2601980, at https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=2601980 and select Apply Online
- Submit your application through the FAO recruitment portal before the closing date of 31 December 2026, well ahead of the deadline
- Note that only applications received through the portal are considered, and incomplete applications will not be considered
Selection process
- Applications are screened based on the information provided in your online profile
- Personal information in applications may be shared within FAO and with companies acting on FAO's behalf for pre-screening, assessment tests, background checks and other employment support services, with your consent requested before submission
- Candidates may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing their application, after which FAO can no longer consider it
- Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered for an assignment are requested to re-apply to new calls
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Is the internship paid?
FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities.
How long does the internship last?
Assignments run from 3 to 11 months, according to the Terms of Reference prepared by the hiring office.
Where is the internship based?
The primary location is listed as Various Locations within FAO's Regional Office for Africa, and the intern is assigned to fields of work according to their profile and the needs of the Organization.
Can I apply if I am not fluent in English?
Yes. You need a working knowledge of at least one FAO language, which includes Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. Knowing a second FAO language is an asset.
What happens after the closing date?
Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and still wish to be considered for future assignments are asked to re-apply to new calls, so submitting early is the better strategy.
Important disclaimer
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