Students and recent graduates with skills in GIS, cartography, and remote sensing now have an opportunity to gain international development experience through a Geospatial Analysis Internship with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The internship is offered within the Geospatial Unit of the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) at IFAD. The selected intern will support geospatial data analysis and mapping work that contributes to monitoring development projects and evaluating their impact.

This role provides a unique chance to apply geospatial analysis tools within the context of global development, agricultural programs, and environmental monitoring, while working with a specialized team inside a United Nations agency.

The internship can be completed in person in Rome, remotely, or through a hybrid arrangement, depending on the candidate’s circumstances.

About the Internship Role

The Geospatial Unit at IFAD plays an important role in helping the organization analyze geographic data to improve development planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Geospatial analysis allows IFAD teams to better understand where projects are located, how resources are distributed, and how rural development initiatives are impacting communities.

As a Geospatial Analysis Intern, the selected candidate will contribute to several technical tasks that support IFAD’s analytical and reporting work.

Why This Internship Matters

Geospatial data has become increasingly important in international development. Organizations like IFAD rely on geographic information systems to track project locations, evaluate outcomes, and improve planning for rural development initiatives.

By supporting mapping, satellite analysis, and geospatial data management, the Geospatial Analysis Intern will help strengthen the evidence base that guides IFAD’s development programs.

For students interested in careers in GIS, environmental monitoring, remote sensing, or development analytics, this internship provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience working with a global organization.

It also allows participants to build technical skills while contributing to projects that aim to improve livelihoods and reduce rural poverty around the world.

What the Intern Will Work On

During the internship, the selected candidate will support the Geospatial Unit with a range of geospatial data and mapping activities.

Key responsibilities include:

Creating maps for reports, dashboards, and operational analyses
Processing and maintaining geospatial datasets such as project locations and administrative boundaries
Supporting satellite imagery analysis
Contributing to geospatial workflows using tools like QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine, Python, or R

These activities will help the intern gain practical experience working with geospatial tools in a real-world development context.

Interns will also gain exposure to how geospatial data is used in monitoring and evaluating development projects, which is an important part of IFAD’s mission.

Academic Background and Skills Required

The internship is designed for students and recent graduates with a strong interest in geospatial analysis and geographic information systems.

Applicants should have an academic background in areas such as:

Geospatial Sciences
Geography
Remote Sensing
Environmental Science
Geoinformatics
Or other related fields

Candidates should also have practical experience using GIS software, particularly tools such as QGIS or ArcGIS.

A solid understanding of cartographic principles is also expected, including knowledge of coordinate systems, projections, symbology, and scale.

Because the internship involves working with satellite data, experience with remote sensing datasets is also considered important.

Applicants must also demonstrate excellent proficiency in English, which is the working language used by IFAD teams.

Additional Skills That Are Considered an Advantage

While not mandatory, several additional skills can strengthen an application.

These include:

Experience using Python or R for geospatial analysis
Familiarity with Google Earth Engine
Interest in international development, agriculture, climate research, or environmental monitoring

These additional skills can help candidates contribute more effectively to IFAD’s analytical workflows.

Internship Location and Duration

The Geospatial Analysis Internship is designed to be flexible and accessible for students and early-career professionals.

Key details include:

Location: Rome, Italy (with options for in-person, remote, or hybrid work)
Duration: 6 months
Working hours: Flexible, with part-time or full-time arrangements available

This flexibility allows students to gain international experience while balancing academic commitments.

Application Deadline

The opportunity is available through the IFAD Internship Programme portal, and applicants should submit their applications through the official system. To access the system you must create a profile first.

Because internship opportunities may close once a suitable candidate is identified, interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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Apply for the Geospatial Analysis Internship at IFAD in Rome (GIS & Remote Sensing Students) @IFAD in Rome (GIS & Remote Sensing Students)