Internship – Investigations Strategy and Litigation Support - Office of Inspections and Investigations (OIGI), WFP HQ Rome, Italy

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

29 August 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. We are currently seeking to fill an intern position in the Office of Inspections and Investigations (OIGI), based in Rome, Italy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVISION

OIGI has the sole responsibility within WFP to conduct investigations into allegations of misconduct committed by WFP personnel, such as fraud, corruption, collusion, theft/misappropriation, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, retaliation and other breaches of WFP rules and policies. OIGI is also responsible for assessing and investigating allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion and other wrongdoings committed by vendors, cooperating partners and other third parties to the detriment of WFP.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Title of Post: Internship

• Supervisor: Investigations Officer – Strategy and Litigation Support

• Unit: OIGI

• Country: Italy

• Duty Station: Rome

• Duration of internship: 8 months

• Expected Start Date: 1 October 2026

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of an Investigations Officer – Strategy and Litigation Support, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Assist in the technical and quality review of investigation reports and other written products, in particular in ensuring the accuracy and consistency of reporting, and by reviewing the underlying evidence;

• Conduct legal research, in particular within the internal framework of other UN agencies and in the administrative jurisprudence of the ILOAT/UNDT/UNAT;

• Assist in the development of OIGI investigative internal framework;

• Assist with other facets of investigative work, including preliminary assessment of complaints, assisting with ongoing investigations and any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme in Law or other related fields from a recognized university OR recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme in Law or other related fields (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme) from a recognized university;

• Experience in investigations is desirable;

• University course attendance in the past 12 months.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Knowledge of general legal principles applicable to internal investigations

• Ability to write clearly and concisely

• Attention to detail

• Research and analytical skills

• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and diverse international environment

WORKING LANGUAGES

Excellent written and spoken English is required (proficiency/level C).

SUPERVISION

Under the direct supervision of an Investigations Officer – Strategy and Litigation Support, the intern will be provided with close mentoring, guidance, and technical supervision. The Chief, Strategy and Litigation Support, and other members of the team will also be involved in helping, guiding, and mentoring the intern. Performance planning and reviews, as well as learning and development discussions, will be carried out throughout the internship.

TRAINING COMPONENTS

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, weLearn.  Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

LEARNING ELEMENTS

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should:

• Understand WFP’s mission and key programmes

• Gain advanced insight into administrative investigations in a large international organization

• Develop a solid and critical understanding of the legal principles applicable to responding to staff misconduct in an international organization

• Have extensively practiced report-writing skills

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.

• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.

• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.

• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.

• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.