INTERNSHIP: Social and Human Sciences

OVERVIEW

Duty Station: Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Type of contract : Internship

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External Candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31 December 2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

This position is in UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), which strives to accomplish a fundamental humanist mission by enhancing efforts against violence, racism and discrimination, combatting gender stereotypes, deploying the power of sports for social inclusion, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting youth, women and people with disabilities. 

SHS also focuses on fostering inclusive societies and ensuring the ethical development of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

SHS manages a cross-cutting portfolio of research, capacity-building, and advocacy to help build more inclusive and sustainable communities.

TASKS

Within the sector, we find the Division for Social Policies (SHS/SOP) and the Division for Research, Ethics, and Inclusion (SHS/REI). Areas of activity covered by SHS include :

• Evidence-based policymaking promoted through the Management Of Social Transformations Programme, fostering inclusive dialogue and trust in governance.
• Integrity in sport advanced through the International Convention against Doping in Sport, safeguarding ethics and values.
• Inclusive and equitable sport systems supported via advocacy, research, and capacity building, with focus on gender equality, safe sport, anti-racism, and disability inclusion.
• Ethical governance of science and technology strengthened, ensuring responsible use of emerging technologies that respect human rights and dignity.
• Inclusion and intercultural dialogue enhanced by combating racism, discrimination, harmful stereotypes, and promoting equality and social cohesion.
• Youth engagement prioritized by supporting youth-led research, policy innovation, capacity building, and global participation platforms.

(The role of the internship position does not include responsibility for UNESCO's wider external communications, which is managed by the Division for Communications and Public Engagement.)

Topics of activity covered by SHS encompass:

 
Human Rights, Ethics of Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Intercultural Dialogue, Social Inclusion and Justice, Global Citizenship and Peace, Sport for Development and Peace, Youth and Empowerment amongst others.

The Intern will have the opportunity to learn and support the overall work of the SHS programme’s mission. The intern will be selected according to their specialization and needs of the sector. Activities will vary depending on the requirements of the assignment. Specific Terms of Reference and learning objectives will form part of the contract. The intern will be based in UNESCO Headquarters or in the Field Offices.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the approach to developing and managing Social and Human Sciences projects.
• Understand multilateral processes.
• Design of policy briefs, using a variety of approaches including tools such as case studies, group discussion work, facilitator input and individual reflection.
• Gain insight into development and implementation of projects.
• Understand the context of global policy making in the field of Social and Human Sciences projects, including role of international organizations through their work in setting standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, providing policy advice, enhancing human and institutional capacities and facilitating cooperation.
• Understanding international project management through learning-by-doing approaches.
• Developing domain knowledge in the field of SHS projects.
• Acquiring and strengthening skills in research, writing and communication.
• Developing soft skills such as stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and work ethics. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

At the time of your application to the internship programme:

You are currently enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent, second university degree or higher).
You have recently graduated with a Master’s degree or PhD (or second degree as defined above), 12 months prior to the start of the internship.
 

Applicants in secretarial/assistant or technical/professional assignments must be enrolled in a secretarial school or in a specialized technical/professional 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.

Computer skills: You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

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.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

KEEP IN MIND

• Have your motivation statement and résumé (CV) ready before filling out the application form. You only have one hour to finish the process. You will have to answer some questions about matching your skills with the requirements of the internship. 
• Make sure your contact details will be valid in 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.
• UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments.
• 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. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.