INTERNSHIP: Division of Internal Oversight Services

OVERVIEW

Type of contract : Internship

Duty Station : Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Application deadline : 31 December 2026 (Midnight)

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

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The Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) provides the Director-General with an independent and objective assurance that programmes are delivered efficiently and effectively, that strategic management information is reliable and timely, and that continuous improvements are fostered in methods and procedures to enhance the quality and impact of UNESCO’s operations.

IOS is responsible for planning and delivering internal audits, investigations, and evaluations of the Organization's activities, including field operations.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

Under the overall guidance and authority of the Director of the Division of Internal Oversight Services, and the supervision of the Heads of Audit/Investigation/Evaluation Offices, the Intern will perform functions that support the development of strategies for safeguarding and protecting the Organization's interests in pursuit of its goals and objectives.

The Intern will work in close collaboration with the Audit/Investigation/Evaluation team. S/He will embrace a client-oriented approach with a high level of integrity and model UNESCO values and ideals. The intern will ensure that s/he adheres to the endeavours of the Division to promote accountability and professionalism and to foster a culture of learning and improvement.

Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment. Specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will form part of the Agreement.

In particular the incumbent may perform the following duties as per the specific requirements/needs of each team.

Audit

• Work closely with the Audit team and assist in conducting the audit of selected operations of Headquarters, Field Offices and Information Technology Systems.

• Assist in gathering audit evidence to formulate the audit plan/research plan.

• Assist the team in the examination of records, documents, or assets.

• Assist in analyzing financial and other data.

• Contribute to document audit findings and drafting parts of the Audit reports.

• Contribute to the development of internal methodology, tools, and techniques to ensure excellence in the conduct of Audits.

• Assist in following up on management responses and implementation of audit recommendations and in facilitating effective and timely planning, monitoring, and reporting.

• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Internal Audit.

Investigation

• Assist with the development of relevant policies and operational procedures pertaining to administrative investigations.

• Assist with the development of core systems supporting the investigation function.

• Support investigation function in assessing allegations of misconduct and irregularities (e.g., fraud, corruption, mismanagement, harassment).

• Assist in reviewing cases reported to IOS.

• Assist in drafting documents and communications with respect to cases under investigation, including investigation plans, witness statements, investigation reports, closure reports and other documents.

• Assist in conducting interviews with subjects, complainants or witnesses.

• Assist in identifying, collating and analyzing potential evidence, including carrying out open-source research and forensic reviews.

• Assist with the editing and review of investigation reports and others documents to ensure that citations to evidence are accurate and complete.

• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Investigations.

Evaluation

• Support the Evaluation function in assessing the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, coherence and performance of UNESCO programmes and projects.

• Assist the Office in carrying out corporate evaluations of UNESCO’s programmes and thematic areas, particularly with data collection and analysis and the presentation of evaluation findings in various formats (reports, briefs, presentations etc.).

• Support decentralized evaluations managed by other UNESCO entities by providing technical backstopping on ongoing evaluations and liaising with Evaluation Focal Points to ensure compliance with UNESCO’s Evaluation Policy.

• Support the dissemination of evaluation findings and recommendations by developing graphically designed reports and smart knowledge products and other communication pieces.

• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or the Head of Evaluation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

It is expected that the assignment will provide the intern with the opportunity to develop skills in some of the following areas, depending on the needs of the team during the time of the internship:

• Learn about UNESCO’s structure and mandate.

• Understand the Oversight functions of an international organization.

• Opportunity to experience first-hand the day-to-day working environment of the Organization and work directly with inspiring career professionals.

• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.

• Developing knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods while carrying out research.

• Developing soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and work ethics.

• Understand the policy development process.

• Learn to work in a multicultural environment and adapt to different working cultures of Member States.

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)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

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 must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree no more than 12 months prior to the issuance of the Internship Agreement, as determined by the completion date indicated on your 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.

Long Description

SELECTION AND HIRING 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

Duration: The minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months.

Visa: You should be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

Travel: You must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.

Medical insurance: You must show proof of a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship. UNESCO will only provide 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.

Supporting Documents: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide your proof of your identity (ID card or passport), Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma (if you have just recently graduated).

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

Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (e.g., conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions. The internship arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern. Only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO will be executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.

BEFORE APPLYING

• During the application process, 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 from the pool. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.