Internship - Policy Engagement - Programme Policy Team, WFP Beijing Office, China

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

6 November 2026-23:59-GMT+08:00 China Standard Time (Shanghai)

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 extreme weather shocks.

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).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVISION

 

WFP has a unique threefold presence in China, which includes: a Partnership Office presence that develops public and private partnerships for increased resource mobilization; a Country Office presence that implements a Country Strategy Plan supporting China’s High Quality Achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and a Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation that facilitates impactful, demand-drive South-South and Triangular Cooperation. 

The Research & Policy Unit (RP Unit) of WFP China focuses on advancing research initiatives, policy dialogues, and South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in areas related to food security, agricultural economics, and rural development. The unit requires a dedicated intern for research support for research, thematic studies and coordination activities.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

• Title of Post: Programme Policy Intern (Policy Engagement)
• Number of internship available: 1
• Supervisor: Head of Research & Policy Unit
• Unit: Research & Policy
• Country of Assignment:  China
• City of Assignment: Beijing
• Type of Internship: In Person
• Duration of internship: 6 Months
• Expected Start Date: November 2026

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general guidance by Director, the Programme Policy Intern (Policy Engagement) will report to head of Research & Policy Unit (RP), supporting the Unit in research, communication, coordination, and data collection. Specifically:

 

Research

• Support to prepare research initiatives including concept notes, proposals and FLAs, assist in preparation of draft research plans;
• Support policy briefing, country context analysis and other desk review work to facilitate research progress;
• Assistant in collecting data and other information on food, agriculture and rural economic subject matters, and help prepare background information and tables for briefing and review sessions;

 

Policy Engagement

• Draft non-substantive correspondence for research and policy engagement;
• Assist in preparing for SSC policy dialogues, fora, seminars and exchange missions;
• Assist in preparing summary reports, meeting minutes and review briefings.

 

General Support

• Prepare periodic and ad hoc documents and ensure timely submission;
• Support COE’s SSC policy advocacy and engagement by preparing draft documents, slides and necessary advocate materials;
• Perform simple translation of research-related correspondence and presentation, and function as interpreter for the missions and meetings as and when required;
• Perform other duties as and when required.

 

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme in Agricultural Economics, food Sciences, Food Systems, International Development Studies, Social Science, Political Science, Economics, or other relevant subject from a recognized university OR recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme) from a recognized university;
• University course attendance in the past 12 months.

 

Experience

• Some relevant working experience on research and South-South Cooperation.
• Previous research experience in agricultural economics or other field related to development assistance is preferable.

 

Skills and competencies

• Ability to work Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail) required for work;
• Ability to prepare preliminary reports and to draft correspondence;
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work under pressure, be able to meet deadline, willing to take challenges; Good communication skills with different stakeholders.
• Strong enthusiasm with appreciated flexibility and adaptation;

 

Language

• Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Chinese.

 

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 be able to have fundamental knowledge about policy support and engagement within WFP China for South-South cooperation, and some basic understanding about office procedure and SOPs.

 

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.
• Only selected candidates will be notified.

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.