Internships

FAO Internship Programme for Africa (RAF): Paid Opportunities for Students and Recent Graduates

Organization: FAO Internship Programme for Africa (RAF) Compensation: Paid Deadline: Dec 31, 2026

About this opportunity

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its Internship Programme for Africa (RAF), vacancy 2601980.

The programme helps students and recent graduates gain practical experience in fields connected to FAO’s work. Assignments depend on your academic background and the needs of the recruiting office.

Internships last 3–11 months, with opportunities at various locations in Africa. Each selected intern receives duties defined by the hiring office. Programme information

Financial support and accommodation

FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by a university or another organisation. According to its internship FAQ:

The stipend is paid in local currency, up to US$700 per month.
Sponsored interns receive their stipend directly from their sponsoring institution.
You or your sponsor must arrange and cover accommodation.
FAO pays the premium for medical coverage relating to incidents arising from your internship duties.
You must arrange, at your own expense, medical insurance for conditions or incidents unrelated to your duties.

Official funding and insurance conditions

Eligibility criteria

You must:

Be a national of an FAO Member.
Be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at a recognised institution when applying, or be a recent graduate.
Have an academic background relevant to FAO’s work.
Be 21–30 years old when the internship starts. You must begin before turning 31.
Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. A second language is an advantage.
Communicate effectively, adapt to a multicultural environment and use basic computer programmes.
Have appropriate residence or immigration status in the country of assignment before starting.

You are ineligible if your mother, father, brother or sister works for FAO under any contractual arrangement. Official eligibility criteria

The vacancy also excludes previous FAO interns and requires recognised qualifications from institutions listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Vacancy requirements

How to apply

Create or update your FAO recruitment profile. Include accurate information about your education, employment history and language skills.
Find vacancy 2601980: “Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Africa (RAF).”
Attach your motivation letter and proof of university enrolment or copies of your academic qualifications.
Review and submit your application through the FAO recruitment portal.

Incomplete applications and applications submitted outside the portal will not be considered. FAO charges no recruitment fee. Official application instructions

Your motivation letter should explain why you want to participate and identify your preferred unit or area of work. Motivation-letter guidance

Application deadline

31 December 2026 at 23:59 CET (UTC+1), Rome time.

This is the closing time displayed when the official vacancy is set to Rome’s time zone. Official deadline

Selection process

The responsible hiring office contacts candidates selected for interviews. FAO does not retain a roster for future calls: if you are not selected and remain interested, you must apply again when a new call opens. Official selection guidance