Here is how to get it: UNAIDS Internship Programme 2026 – global opportunities for students and recent graduates
Guide published 4 June 2026 · Open to external applicants worldwide
UNAIDS coordinates the global response to HIV and AIDS. Their internship programme gives students and recent graduates practical experience in public health, international development, communications, research, policy, and programme management. Placements exist in many departments, and some positions are fully remote. Competition is real, but a well prepared application makes a difference.
- Research and policy analysis Contribute to reports and briefings on HIV, public health, and sustainable development. You will work with real data and policy documents.
- Programme support Assist with implementation, coordination, and monitoring of ongoing projects across different country contexts.
- Communications and advocacy Draft content, help manage digital platforms, and support awareness campaigns.
- Data collection and analysis Organise and interpret data for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities.
- Event planning Help organise virtual meetings, webinars, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
- Partnership support Engage with governments, civil society organisations, and other UN agencies.
- Knowledge management Document best practices and maintain internal resource libraries.
- Education Enrolled in or graduated within the last 12 months from an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate programme in a relevant field.
- Preferred fields of study Public Health, International Development, Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Business Administration, Statistics, Data Science, Monitoring and Evaluation, Health Sciences.
- Age requirement At least 20 years old at the time of application.
- Language skills Working knowledge of at least one official WHO or UNAIDS language (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic) as required by the hosting office. English is the most common requirement.
- Desirable competencies Research and analytical abilities, strong writing skills, genuine interest in global health, ability to work in multicultural environments, proficiency in standard office tools.
- No extensive work experience required The programme targets students and recent graduates. Volunteer work, student organisations, and academic projects count as relevant experience.
Tailor your cover letter to UNAIDS, not a generic UN internship. Read the UNAIDS 2026 strategy and the latest progress on the global HIV response. Mention one specific goal or statistic that matters to you. Generic applications get filtered out quickly.
Highlight any HIV, public health, or human rights work, even small scale. A student project, a volunteer shift, or a university research paper all count. Show that you understand the mission to end AIDS by 2030.
Keep your CV to one page. Focus on skills: research, data analysis, writing, event coordination, or languages. No long paragraphs. Bullet points only. UNAIDS recruiters read quickly.
Submit your application early. The deadline is 30 June 2026, but UNAIDS reviews applications on a rolling basis. Do not wait until the last day.
Use the UN competency language. In your cover letter, demonstrate professionalism, communication, planning, and ability to work in diverse teams. Give real examples from your studies or volunteer experience.
- Stipend UNAIDS provides a monthly stipend of up to $1,000 for eligible interns. The exact amount may vary by duty station and modality.
- Insurance Interns must arrange their own medical and accident insurance. UNAIDS does not cover illness or accident related costs.
- Visa and travel Interns are responsible for their own visa, travel, and accommodation. Remote internships require a stable internet connection.
- Working hours Full time generally, but flexibility may be allowed for ongoing academic commitments.
- No expectation of employment Completing an internship does not guarantee a future job with UNAIDS, but it does make you a stronger candidate for later roles.
- Diversity and inclusion UNAIDS strongly encourages applications from all geographic regions, backgrounds, and underrepresented groups.
Scam alert: UNAIDS never charges a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Ignore any message asking for money or bank details.
Use the official UNAIDS e-Recruitment website. Third party job boards may show outdated or incorrect listings.
UNAIDS Internship Programme 2026 · Deadline 30 June 2026 · Remote or office based