Internship Programme
The Internship Programme is a learning opportunity aimed at attracting talented young women and men who are strongly motivated to share their new perspectives, innovative ideas and latest research experience in FAO’s domains.
The Internship Programme provides selected students, enrolled in an under-graduate or post-graduate degree programme or recent graduates, with the opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with a practical work experience in a field related to the work of FAO. It will enable them to gain a better understanding of FAO’s mandate and programmes. At the same time, the Programme provides FAO with the assistance of qualified individuals specializing in relevant fields in connection to FAO’s Strategic Framework and to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: candidates must be nationals of FAO Members.
- Education: candidates must be students enrolled in an under-graduate or graduate degree programme in a bona fide educational institution at the time of application, or recent graduates.
- Languages: candidates must have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian). Knowledge of a second FAO official language will be considered an asset.
- Age: candidates should be aged between 21 and 30 at the start of their internship (i.e. internship should start before the candidate turns 31).
- Skills: candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment, have good communication skills and be knowledgeable in the use of basic computer programmes.
- Residence/Visa status: candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment prior to the start of the internship assignment.
- Family relation: candidates with family members (defined as brother, sister, mother, father) employed by FAO under any type of contract are not eligible for the Internship Programme.
The duration of an internship assignment is between 3 and 11 months.
How to apply
Apply to the “Call for Expression of Interest”, which is published on our career portal.
Interested candidates should apply online through the career portal enclosing a motivation letter and evidence of attendance at a recognized University.
Only selected candidates will be contacted.
Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered for an assignment are requested to re-apply to the new Calls.
For more details, please visit the Internship FAQ page.
For more information please open this link
Apply Here
https://www.fao.org/employment/collaborate-with-us/internship-programme/en/
How to apply
Does FAO publish any vacancy announcements for internships?
FAO advertises “Calls for Expression of Interest”, which are published on its career portal. Interested candidates should apply on-line through the career portal.
I have problems in completing my on-line application form and I don’t know how to attach my letter of motivation. Who should I contact?
If you are experiencing problems in registering or logging into your account, please contact our Help Desk at: Careers@fao.org. NOTE: This e-mail address does not accept applications.
When and how will I be informed about the outcome of my application?
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the responsible hiring office.
If I am not selected for an interview, can I be considered for the next call?
FAO does not keep a roster of applicants. If interested, you will have to reapply when the next Call for Expression of Interest is published.
My University is willing to pay for my internship assignment. What should I do?
Academic or government institutions may wish to enter into a formal agreement with FAO by contacting the Internship Programme Team at Internship-Programme@fao.org.
Is there a different application procedure to be followed for individual and sponsored candidates?
The application is the same in both cases. Candidates must complete their on-line application form through FAO recruitment portal and apply for the Calls for Expression of Interest. A letter of motivation and the evidence of attendance at a recognized University must be attached to the application in the documents section.
Eligibility Criteria
I am 30 years old now. Am I eligible for an internship assignment?
Yes, you are eligible as long as your 31st birthday does not fall before the beginning of the internship assignment.
What do I have to include in the letter of motivation?
Your letter of motivation should include the reason for wishing to participate in the programme, the unit or area of work where you wish to undertake the assignment. Candidates affiliated with a University or institution with whom FAO has concluded an Internship Agreement may wish to mention this in the letter of motivation.
I have a family member working as a consultant in FAO. Am I eligible for an internship assignment?
No. Individuals with family members (defined as brother, sister, mother, father) employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement, are not eligible for the Internship Programme.
Conditions of Service
Which country will I be assigned if selected as an intern?
Preferably, interns are assigned to FAO offices/project locations in their own country or country of residence, excluding non-family duty stations, unless they are residing in that duty station prior to the start of the internship assignment.
Which types of tasks does the Internship Programme offer?
The Terms of Reference (TORs) will be prepared by the hiring office concerned before the beginning of the assignment and shared with the selected candidate. Tasks will be at an entry level, in line with FAO Strategic Objectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What is the duration of an internship assignment?
The duration of an internship assignment is between 3 and 11 months.
Living in the Duty Station
Once selected as an intern, will I receive any financial support from FAO?
Yes. Interns will receive a stipend in local currency and not exceeding US$ 700 per month. Stipend for sponsored interns will be directly provided by the sponsoring institutions.
Is there any financial or organizational support for accommodation?
No. Interns (or their sponsoring institutions as case may be) are responsible for their own accommodation at the duty station. However, medical coverage related to service-incurred is provided, with FAO paying the full premium. Interns will be responsible for arranging, at their own expense, medical insurance covering non-service incurred during the duration of the assignment.
If I have more questions to ask, to whom should I address them?
You can contact the FAO Internship Programme Team at Internship-Programme@fao.org. Please note that this e-mail does not accept applications.
