Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its Internship Programme for Africa (RAF), offering young students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience while contributing to FAO’s work.
The current Call for Expressions of Interest, Vacancy Announcement 2601980, was posted on 21 September 2026 and will remain open until 31 December 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Internships are available in various locations and can last from three to eleven months.
FAO also confirms that it provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by their universities or other entities.
Applicants must generally be between 21 and 30 years old, be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme or be a recent graduate, and have an academic background relevant to FAO’s work.
Background & Internship Description
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security.
With more than 195 Members and activities in over 130 countries, FAO works toward ensuring that people have regular access to sufficient, high-quality food needed to live active and healthy lives.
The FAO Internship Programme aims to attract talented and motivated young women and men who can bring:
- New perspectives
- Innovative ideas
- Recent academic knowledge
At the same time, participants gain practical professional experience that complements their academic studies.
Interns contribute to work connected with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and FAO’s Strategic Framework.
FAO Internship Programme for Africa
The specific 2026 Call for Expressions of Interest supplied for this opportunity is:
Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Africa (RAF)
The vacancy announcement number is:
2601980
The organizational unit is RAF, and the primary location is listed as Various Locations.
This means candidates should not assume that every placement will take place at one particular FAO office or country.
Assignments depend on organizational needs and the candidate’s profile.
What Will FAO Interns Do?
FAO does not provide one identical job description for every intern selected through this call.
Instead, interns are assigned to different fields of work according to:
- Their academic and professional profile
- Their skills
- The needs of FAO
Each intern will report to an assigned supervisor.
Specific duties are determined through the Terms of Reference (TOR) prepared by the hiring office.
This allows FAO to match interns with assignments relevant to both their academic background and the organization’s operational requirements.
Technical Focus
The technical focus of each internship depends on the intern’s profile and FAO’s needs.
Candidates must specialize in an area relevant to the organization’s mission and work.
FAO identifies relevant academic studies in one of the fields of the Organization as an important technical or functional qualification.
Applicants should therefore make sure their online profile clearly demonstrates how their academic studies relate to FAO’s work.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to both current students and recent graduates who satisfy FAO’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must be either:
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme;
- Enrolled in a graduate degree programme; or
- A recent graduate.
Current students must be studying at a bona fide educational institution.
FAO only recognizes higher-education qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
Relevant Field of Study
Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO.
The vacancy does not provide a fixed list of eligible university degrees.
Applicants should therefore evaluate whether their academic studies are relevant to the particular areas in which FAO operates.
The hiring office will ultimately determine whether an applicant’s profile is suitable for a potential assignment.
Age Requirement
Candidates should be:
Between 21 and 30 years old.
Applicants should check that they meet this requirement before submitting their application.
Nationality Requirements
Candidates must be nationals of FAO Members.
FAO particularly encourages applications from qualified nationals of non- and under-represented Members.
The organization also encourages candidates from:
- Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries
- Least Developed Countries
- Land-locked Developing Countries
- Small Island Developing States
Qualified female candidates and persons with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have a working knowledge of at least one FAO language.
FAO’s official languages listed in the vacancy are:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
Knowledge of a second FAO language is considered an asset.
Applicants should accurately include their language skills in their FAO online profile.
Communication and Multicultural Skills
Candidates should be able to adapt to an international and multicultural working environment.
Good communication skills are also required.
These qualities are important because FAO works across more than 130 countries and brings together professionals from different national, cultural and technical backgrounds.
FAO Core Competencies
Applicants will be assessed against FAO’s core competencies.
These include:
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Candidates should consider these competencies when completing their application and motivation letter.
Is the FAO Internship Paid?
Yes, eligible interns can receive financial support.
FAO states that it provides a:
Monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities.
This is an important condition.
An intern already receiving sponsorship from a university or another organization should not automatically assume that FAO will provide the additional monthly stipend.
The official vacancy supplied does not state the exact monthly stipend amount.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial figures and should confirm the applicable amount through FAO if selected.
Internship Duration
The FAO Internship Programme for Africa vacancy specifies a duration of:
3 months to 11 months
The exact length of an individual’s internship may therefore vary depending on the assignment.
Applicants should be prepared for the duration established by the hiring office if selected.
Internship Locations
The vacancy lists the primary location as:
Various Locations
It does not provide a complete list of countries or cities where successful candidates may be assigned.
Candidates should therefore not assume a specific duty station until FAO communicates the proposed assignment.
Immigration and Residence Requirements
Selected candidates must have the appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment before joining FAO.
This requirement is particularly important for international applicants.
The vacancy does not state that FAO will automatically obtain immigration authorization for successful candidates.
Applicants should therefore carefully review the immigration requirements associated with any proposed duty station.
Previous FAO Interns
Candidates who have already completed an internship assignment at FAO are not eligible for another FAO internship.
This restriction should be considered by anyone who has previously participated in the organization’s Internship Programme.
Family Relationship Restrictions
Candidates are not eligible for the Internship Programme if certain immediate family members are employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement.
For this vacancy, FAO defines these family members as:
- Mother
- Father
- Sister
- Brother
Applicants should take this condition into consideration before applying.
Required Application Documents
Candidates are requested to complete an online profile containing accurate and complete information.
The profile should include:
- Employment records
- Academic qualifications
- Language skills
Applicants are also requested to attach:
- A letter of motivation
- Evidence of attendance at a recognized university, where applicable; or
- A copy of academic qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
FAO states that all applications will be reviewed.
Only qualified applicants will be directly contacted for interviews by the relevant hiring office.
Candidates will be contacted again if selected.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their FAO profile contains complete and accurate information because applications are screened using the information provided through the online system.
Selected candidates will also undergo reference and background checks.
Application Deadline
The official closing date is:
31 December 2026 at 11:59 PM
FAO encourages applicants to submit their applications well before the deadline.
Candidates who have not been selected before the closing date and want to continue being considered for assignments must apply again to new Calls for Expressions of Interest.
Does the Programme Continue Into 2027?
The current Call for Expressions of Interest closes at the end of 2026, while individual internships can last for as long as 11 months.
Depending on an individual assignment’s start date and duration, a placement may therefore extend into 2027.
However, the official vacancy itself is the 2026 Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Africa (RAF) and does not formally label the call a “2026–2027 intake.”
Application Fee
FAO does not charge candidates any recruitment fee.
There are no FAO fees at the:
- Application stage
- Interview stage
- Processing stage
Candidates should be cautious of anyone requesting money while claiming that payment is necessary to secure an FAO internship.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official FAO recruitment portal.
Search and Apply for FAO Internships
Applicants should search for:
Vacancy Announcement 2601980 – Call for Expression of Interest – Internship Programme for Africa (RAF)
Candidates must complete their online profile, attach the requested documentation and formally submit the application.
Only applications received through FAO’s recruitment portal will be considered.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
| Programme | Internship Programme for Africa (RAF) |
| Vacancy Number | 2601980 |
| Job Type | Internship |
| Posting Date | 21 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 31 December 2026 |
| Closing Time | 11:59 PM |
| Locations | Various Locations |
| Duration | 3–11 months |
| Age Requirement | 21–30 |
| Students Eligible | Undergraduate and graduate students |
| Recent Graduates Eligible | Yes |
| Field of Study | Must be relevant to FAO’s work |
| Nationality | Nationals of FAO Members |
| Language | At least one FAO language |
| Second FAO Language | An asset |
| Monthly Stipend | Yes, if not sponsored by a university or another entity |
| Exact Stipend Amount | Not stated |
| Previous FAO Interns | Not eligible for another internship |
| Application Fee | None |
| Application Method | FAO recruitment portal |
Final Thoughts
The FAO Internship Programme 2026 provides students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience within one of the United Nations system’s major specialized agencies.
The current Internship Programme for Africa (RAF) is particularly attractive because placements are available in various locations and can last between three and eleven months.
Eligible applicants must generally be between 21 and 30 years old, be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme or be a recent graduate, and have an academic specialization relevant to FAO’s work.
Candidates also need working knowledge of at least one of FAO’s six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
Importantly, this is a paid internship opportunity for eligible participants. FAO provides a monthly stipend when interns are not sponsored by their university or another entity, although the vacancy does not specify the stipend amount.
Applications for Vacancy 2601980 close on 31 December 2026 at 11:59 PM.
With assignments lasting as long as 11 months, some placements arising from this call may potentially continue into 2027 depending on their start dates. Applicants should nevertheless understand that FAO officially describes this vacancy as its current Call for Expressions of Interest for the Internship Programme for Africa (RAF).
Apply Through the Official FAO Careers Portal
SEO Keywords
FAO Internship Programme 2026, FAO Internship Programme 2027, FAO internships 2026 2027, FAO paid internships, FAO Internship Programme for Africa, FAO Africa internships 2026, United Nations internships 2026, paid UN internships, FAO internships for students, FAO internships for graduates, FAO vacancy 2601980, international internships 2026, FAO internship stipend, UN internships for African students, internships in Africa 2026, FAO careers 2026, FAO student opportunities, paid international internships, FAO internship deadline December 2026, Food and Agriculture Organization internships, UN internship opportunities 2027, FAO internship application
Stay Connected with FlexJobSpace
Never miss the latest graduate programmes, internships, scholarships, fellowships, government jobs, NGO careers, and international opportunities.
PRIMARY WHATSAPP CHANNEL:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb85Qso8kyyLTxXuBJ3h
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/AfricaKnowledgeTable
WEBSITE:
WHATSAPP GROUP 1:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EAeoczoUp8t9CDW4M6dNIv?mode=gi_t
WHATSAPP GROUP 2:
Career Resources & Planning
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gh3enT0Wr8N5Un0jg9areJ?mode=gi_t
WHATSAPP GROUP 3:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IKc5D9ozOVrGPLucdarML7?mode=gi_t
WHATSAPP GROUP 4:
