INTERNSHIP: Division of Financial 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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Division of Financial Services (FIN) is responsible for ensuring the sound financial management of UNESCO’s resources and supporting the Organization’s programme delivery through effective financial policies, controls, reporting, treasury operations, accounting and financial analysis.

Under the overall supervision of the designated supervisor within the Division of Financial Services, the intern will contribute to the work of the Division and gain practical experience in the financial management processes of an international organization.

Depending on the needs of the assigned team, the intern may be involved in one or more of the following activities:

• Assist in the collection, validation and analysis of financial data and information.
• Support the preparation of financial reports, dashboards, presentations and briefing materials.
• Contribute to the review and reconciliation of financial records and supporting documentation.
• Assist in monitoring budget implementation and expenditure trends.
• Support treasury, finance and accounting, financial reporting and/or internal control and compliance activities, as applicable.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives, including documentation of procedures and workflows.
• Conduct research and benchmarking on financial management practices within the United Nations system and other international organizations.
• Assist in the preparation of correspondence, meeting documentation and technical materials.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions on financial management issues.
• Perform other related tasks as required by the supervisor.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The internship is expected to provide the intern with the opportunity to:

• Gain practical knowledge of financial management in a United Nations specialized agency.
• Develop an understanding of UNESCO’s financial regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
• Strengthen analytical, quantitative and reporting skills through practical assignments.
• Acquire experience in financial systems, budget monitoring and financial reporting processes.
• Develop professional communication and stakeholder engagement skills in a multicultural environment.
• Enhance understanding of accountability, transparency and internal control mechanisms in international organizations.
• Gain exposure to the work of UNESCO and the broader United Nations system.
• Develop core competencies including teamwork, communication, planning and organizing, results focus and knowledge sharing.

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

• Communication (C) 
• Accountability (C) 
• Innovation (C) 
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) 
• Results focus (C) 
• Teamwork (C) 
• Professionalism (C)

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.

Preferred fields of study include:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Public Administration
• Management
• Data Analytics
• Information Systems related to Finance
• Other closely related disciplines

Computer skills:

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. SAP), data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) or data analysis software would be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

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.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous academic or practical experience in accounting, budgeting, treasury, audit, financial reporting or data analysis.
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or international accounting frameworks.
• Familiarity with United Nations system organizations and their financial management environment.

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 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.