Passionate about food security, agriculture, or sustainable development? The FAO Internship Programme offers entry-level internships lasting 3 to 11 months in FAO duty stations worldwide. Interns support local and global food systems initiatives, gain insight into UN processes, and deepen their sectoral knowledge.
Deadline: 25 August 2025
About the Programme
Sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization, this programme invites students and recent graduates from FAO member countries to contribute to technical and policy work aligned with sustainable development goals. Assignments are guided by Terms of Reference and matched to academic backgrounds in fields such as agriculture, environment, economics, nutrition, communications, or technology.
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What Interns Can Expect
- Engagement in project support, research, policy drafting, data analysis, or stakeholder coordination
- Internship durations from 3–11 months, with possible quarterly renewals up to one year
- Monthly stipend up to USD 700, paid in local currency for unsponsored interns
- Medical insurance covering service-incurred health risks (interns are responsible for other health coverage)
- Primary placement in your home country or residence, with limited relocation to other FAO offices if required
Who Should Apply?
- Enrolled undergraduate or graduate students—or recent graduates (within 6 months)—from recognized institutions listed in the WHED database
- Age range 21–30 at the time the internship begins
- Citizenship of an FAO member country
- Working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian); additional language skills are an asset
- Ability to adapt to a multicultural, multilingual environment with strong communication and digital skills
- Not eligible if you have a parent or sibling employed by FAO
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Why Apply
The FAO Internship offers a valuable learning platform to contribute to a UN agency’s mission—developing your technical capacity, expanding your professional network, and gaining real-world experience in international development contexts. Successful interns often boost their chances for future opportunities with FAO or other UN agencies.
Also read:
- Monash University International Merit Scholarship 2026
- Princeton University Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded
- Edith Cowan University Travel Bursary 2026
- Columbia Law School Fellowships 2026 | Fully Funded Public Interest & Global Justice Fellowships
How to Apply
Apply via FAO’s official recruitment portal when Calls for Expression of Interest open (e.g. regional calls like for Africa). You’ll register your profile online, attach a letter of motivation and proof of university enrollment, and submit before the deadline (e.g. August 25, 2025 for Africa internships). Only complete applications are considered.
👉 https://jobs.fao.org/fao_ext_careersection/internship/jobsearch.ftl
Conclusion
FAO’s internship programme offers a rare pathway to apply academic learning within a globally impactful organization, build technical and intercultural competence, and launch your development career—all while supporting global efforts toward food security and sustainability.
Tip
Craft a strong motivation letter that clearly links your academic focus to FAO’s mandate, specify your language strengths, and ensure your profile is complete before the deadline to maximize your eligibility.
