INTERNSHIP: Social and Human Sciences

OVERVIEW

Duty Station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Type of contract : Internship

Duration of contract : 1 to 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

This position is in UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which strives to accomplish a fundamental humanist mission by enhancing efforts against violence, racism and discrimination, combatting gender stereotypes, deploying the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth, women and people with disabilities.

SHS also focuses on fostering inclusive societies and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

SHS manages a cross-cutting portfolio of research, capacity-building, and advocacy to help build more inclusive and sustainable communities.

TASKS

Within the sector, we find the Division for Social Policies (SHS/SOP) and the Division for Research, Ethics, and Inclusion (SHS/REI). Areas of activity covered by SHS include :

• Evidence-based policymaking promoted through the Management Of Social Transformations Programme, fostering inclusive dialogue and trust in governance.
• Integrity in sport advanced through the International Convention against Doping in Sport, safeguarding ethics and values.
• Inclusive and equitable sport systems supported via advocacy, research, and capacity building, with focus on gender equality, safe sport, anti-racism, and disability inclusion.
• Ethical governance of science and technology strengthened, ensuring responsible use of emerging technologies that respect human rights and dignity.
• Inclusion and intercultural dialogue enhanced by combating racism, discrimination, harmful stereotypes, and promoting equality and social cohesion.
• Youth engagement prioritized by supporting youth-led research, policy innovation, capacity building, and global participation platforms.

(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.)

Topics of activity covered by SHS encompass:

Human Rights, Ethics of Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Intercultural Dialogue, Social Inclusion and Justice, Global Citizenship and Peace, Sport for Development and Peace, Youth and Empowerment amongst others.

The Intern will have the opportunity to learn and support the overall work of the SHS 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 or in the Field Offices.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the approach to developing and managing Social and Human Sciences projects.
• Understand multilateral processes.
• 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 projects.
• Understand the context of global policy making in the field of Social and Human Sciences 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 SHS projects.
• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.
• Developing soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and work ethics.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

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.