INTERNSHIP: Education Sector

OVERVIEW

Duty Station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Type of contract : Internship

Duration of contract : maximum 6 months

Recruitment open to : External Candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30 June 2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Education Sector’s mission is to rally the world around the future of education. It provides global and regional leadership to ensure every child, youth and adult has access to quality education throughout life while keeping two priorities, Africa and Gender, in focus. 

UNESCO has the power to catalyze transformation in education by bringing together stakeholders around the ambitious Education 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and in particular, the targets set by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). Education Sector uses the Education 2030 Framework for Action as a roadmap for it work and activities.

(The role of the internship position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.).

Areas of activity covered by the Education Sector encompass educational development from pre-school to higher education and beyond, themes include (not exhaustive):

TASKS

• Curriculum Education Policy 
• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Education financing
• Education for sustainable development
• Education in Emergencies
• Education for Gender Equality (Gender transformative education & Girls' and women's education)
• Global Citizenship Education
• Health and well-being in education
• Higher education
• Inclusive education
• Learning assessment
• Leveraging technology for education
• Literacy and Adult education
• Right to education
• SDG 4 Coordination and Monitoring
• Education policy and planning
• Education policy research 
• Skills Development (TVET)
• Teacher Education

The Intern will have the opportunity to learn and support the overall work of the Education Sector/ programme’s mission.
The intern will be selected according to their specialization and needs of the sector.
Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment. 
Specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will form part of the contract.
The intern will be based in UNESCO Headquarters, Field Offices and Category I Institutes around the world. 

The work entrusted to interns falls under one or more of the following categories as per the requirements/needs of each team.

Programme and Project Support:

• Participate in the preparation and review project documents.  Draft notes and prepare technical annexes.
• Prepare conceptual framework / concept notes on new areas of work or development challenges.
• Collect, organize and analyze data.
• Contribute to the production/preparation of documents, working papers, and conceptual framework/concept notes on area of work or development challenges.  
• Assist in the development of technical support of new interventions or projects.

Research and Knowledge Management: 

• Undertake specific research and reviews to produce well defined aspects or segments of work products, including publications, documents and project proposals.
• Contribute to the preparation of knowledge and communication products, materials for advocacy and outreach, related to area of work.
• Participate in meetings and seminars.

Partnerships: 

• Analyse and compile background data for potential partnerships and fundraising events and opportunities. Arrange briefings, visits, tours, meetings and other related activities to support collaborative activities.
• Liaise and build networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.

Operations Support:

• Provide administrative and logistical support in the planning and organization of meetings, events, workshops, and conferences in coordination with other staff.
• Support the preparation of specific budgets, financial and accounting documents, and project documentation and evaluation.
   

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the approach to developing and managing education projects
• Understand multilateral processes.
• Carry out data analyses as it relates to education.
• Design of policy briefs, using a variety of approaches including tools such as case studies, group discussion work, facilitator input and individual reflection.
• Gain insight into development and implementation of education projects
• Understand the context of global policy making in the field education projects, including role of international organizations through their work in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, enhancing human and institutional capacities and facilitating cooperation.
• Understanding international project management through learning-by-doing approaches.
• Developing domain knowledge in the field of education projects
• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.
• Developing soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and work ethic.
• The intern will also gain an understanding of the overall work of UNESCO and be given an opportunity to develop soft skills of the UNESCO Competency Framework, in particular teamwork, flexibility, communication and client-focus.
   

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

At the time of your application to the internship programme:

You should be currently enrolled AND on the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor’s degree;

OR

You should be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent;

OR

You should have finished your Bachelor’s, Master's or PhD degree within the last 12 months (date of completion as indicated in diploma).

Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical/vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.  

Languages:

You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

Computer skills: You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Team player:

You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments. 

Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

Interns are provided with a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Candidates shall apply to this vacancy notice (or any of the available vacancy notices that match their expertise, domain, or interest). Please note that you are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening.

Candidates who successfully applied will stay in the intern talent pool and will be further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers.  The candidature will be valid for 6 months. Candidates who have been selected will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. If the candidate does not receive any update from UNESCO within six months, it means that the application has not been successful. 

KEEP IN MIND

• You will be asked to answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any), and interests. You only have one hour to finish the process.

• Make sure your contact details will be valid in the next 6 months. 

• You can only use either English or French in applying.

• Please provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.

• Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.

• Please note that you are submitting your application to become part of the pool of internship candidates. Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in our internship portal for a period of six months.

• We do not respond to each and every candidate. If there is an internship opening and if you are selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.

TIPS FOR APPLICATION

• Please indicate your main expertise and sub area accordingly.
• Please select “Multiple” if you do not have a preference for the duty station.
• Please indicate the UNESCO programme areas you would like to have your internship in the application question.  
   

TIPS FOR APPLICATION