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) : 31 December 2025

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)

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 are currently enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent, second university degree or higher).

You have recently graduated with a Master’s degree or PhD (or second degree as defined above), 12 months prior to the start of the internship.

Undertook studies in areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence (Education, Culture, Sciences, Communication, Social Sciences) or in other areas which support UNESCO’s work such as Law, Human Resources, Management Studies, International Relations etc.

Have a good track record, demonstrated by recent certificates or official records from their university institution.

Please note that candidates who have completed their full-time bachelor's degree but are not enrolled in a graduate programme are not eligible to apply.

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. Additional language requirements may vary depending on the duty station.

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.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The UNESCO Internships Programme is open in January and July each year. Candidates shall apply to the vacancy that matches their personal expertise and domain. Candidates who successfully applied to the vacancy 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. Those who were not selected for an internship in the current cycle will need to reapply to the internship programme when the new internship vacancies are released.

KEEP IN MIND

Have your motivation letter and résumé ready before filling out the application form. You only have one hour to finish the process.
Make sure your contact details will be valid in 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.
UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments.
Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.
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 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.

This position was originally posted by UNESCO and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.

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INTERNSHIP: Education Sector