FAO Internship Programme 2026–2027: Opportunities in the Near East and North Africa

Overview

The FAO Internship Programme 2026–2027 provides students and recent graduates with practical experience in agriculture, food security, nutrition, and sustainable development. Managed through the Near East and North Africa programme, the positions connect academic learning with technical or functional assignments aligned with the mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Internships last between three and eleven months.

Who can apply

Applicants must be nationals of an FAO Member and aged between 21 and 30 at the time of application. Candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognized educational institution or be recent graduates. Their academic specialization must relate to FAO’s work, with degrees originating from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database. Individuals who have already completed an FAO internship are ineligible, as are applicants whose mother, father, sister, or brother is employed by FAO under any contractual arrangement.

Requirements

Candidates must have a working knowledge of at least one official FAO language, which includes Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Knowledge of a second FAO language is considered an advantage. Applicants are required to demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to adapt to an international, multicultural environment. Selected candidates must also secure appropriate residence or immigration status in the assignment country prior to joining.

What you get

Participants gain exposure to international development priorities while applying academic knowledge to practical work. FAO may provide a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by universities or other entities, although the exact stipend amount is not specified in the vacancy.

How to apply

Candidates must submit their applications through the official recruitment portal by completing an online profile. Required materials include accurate details of academic qualifications, employment records, and language skills, alongside a motivation letter and evidence of university attendance or copies of academic qualifications. Incomplete submissions and applications sent outside the official portal are not considered.

Key dates

The application deadline is 1 January 2027 at 12:59 a.m.