UNFPA Offers International Internships for Middle-Income Countries 2025

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is offering a six-month internship program at its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in Johannesburg. This internship is open to South African and international candidates with a background in development, policy, or social sciences, aiming to support UNFPA’s work across Southern Africa’s middle-income countries.

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Closing Date: 26 May 2025
Duration: 6 months, starting mid-August 2025
Type: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Monthly Stipend: Provided (amount depends on duty station, only applicable if not sponsored by another organisation)

What You’ll Be Doing?

This position is based within the Middle-Income Country Hub (MIC-Hub) and will support UNFPA’s policy and programme efforts across several countries namely Botswana, Eswatini, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa. You will work under the direct guidance of the Head of the MIC-Hub.

Your tasks will include:

• Tracking social, economic, and political trends related to reproductive health, gender equality, and development in target countries.
  
• Drafting policy briefs, research papers, and reports in line with the ICPD Programme of Action.
  
• Assisting with development and evaluation of technical cooperation projects, especially those tied to sustainable financing.
  
• Supporting training sessions, regional consultations, and other events coordinated by the MIC-Hub.
  
• Carrying out additional programme-related tasks as required.
  

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must meet one of the following educational requirements at the time of application:

• Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme (e.g. Master’s, PhD).
  
• Be in your final year of a Bachelor’s degree.
  
• Have recently graduated from a university (within one year prior to the start of the internship).
  
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate traineeship programme that incorporates internships.
  

You should also:

• Show a keen interest in international development, population policy, and public health.
  
• Be proficient in written and spoken English (French or Spanish is an advantage).
  
• Be willing and able to work in a multicultural, international team.
  

Note: Applicants with immediate family members working for UNFPA are not eligible.

If You Don’t Qualify, Here’s How You Can Qualify

If you’re still completing your studies or want to build a strong foundation before applying to UN-level internships, consider these programmes:

• Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations – University of South Africa (UNISA)
  
• Postgraduate Diploma in Development Policy and Practice – University of Cape Town (UCT)
  
• Master of Development Studies – University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
  

These programmes can equip you with policy, research, and development planning skills that UN agencies value.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the internship, you’ll have developed:

• A deeper understanding of the UNFPA’s mission, policies, and strategic priorities.
  
• Experience in drafting official UN documents, reports, and technical briefs.
  
• Insight into programme design, delivery, and regional support mechanisms.
  
• Practical skills in organising high-level events and collaborating across country offices.
  

Important Financial Info

• The internship is unpaid unless you’re not financially supported by another institution, in which case a monthly stipend may be offered.
  
• You must arrange your own housing, meals, and transport.
  
• You’ll need valid medical insurance for the full duration of the internship, and must submit proof before starting.
  

How to Apply

Apply online before 26 May 2025, 11:30 AM (Johannesburg time) via the link below.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.

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