Job opportunity at the African Union

The African Union is offering a 2026 Internship Program for citizens of AU Member States in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

Job Title: Internship Program
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (with potential virtual opportunities across Africa)
Application Deadline: December 31, 2026
Number of Openings: 50
Contract Duration: Up to three (3) months, renewable once
Job Grade: Internship
Organization: African Union Commission

About the African Union

The African Union (AU) is a unique Pan-African institution established to promote unity, solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among African nations. It aims to accelerate the continent’s integration and sustainable development, fostering mutual progress among its member states.

The AU’s headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, serving as the central hub for its activities and initiatives.

The AU is committed to building capacity and implementing its organizational structure effectively, aligning with its core mission to promote peace, development, and cooperation across Africa.

To achieve these objectives, the AU offers an annual Internship Program designed to develop young African professionals, equip them with practical skills, and prepare them for future leadership roles within the continent.

The AU Values

The African Union upholds a set of core values that guide its operations and culture:

Respect for Diversity and Teamwork
Think Africa Above All
Transparency and Accountability
Integrity and Impartiality
Efficiency and Professionalism
Information and Knowledge Sharing

These values are integral to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and effective working environment within the AU.

Purpose of the Internship Program

The AU Internship Program 2026 provides a unique opportunity for young, motivated individuals to complement their academic knowledge with practical experience in a multicultural, dynamic environment.

The program is designed to nurture future African leaders by exposing interns to the workings of the AU across various departments and directorates.

This initiative aims to:

Provide hands-on experience in administrative, technical, and policy-related tasks
Enhance participants’ professional skills and competencies
Promote intercultural understanding and cooperation among young Africans
Prepare interns for future leadership roles within the continent’s development agenda

The program encourages applicants with a keen interest in AU activities and demonstrates the ability to work effectively with diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Focus Areas and Departments

Interns will assist in providing administrative and technical support across the AU’s numerous departments and directorates, including but not limited to:

Cabinet of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
Office of the Director General
Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
Economic Development, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETIM)
Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI)

Infrastructure and Energy (IE)
Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS)
Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development (HHS)
Human Resources Management (HRM)
Operations Support Services
Management Information Systems Division
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Conference Management and Publications (CMP)
Office for Safety and Security Services
Citizens and Diaspora (CIDO)
Medical and Health Services
Financial Control Unit
Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery
Office of Internal Oversight (OIO)
Quality Assurance and Control
Ethics, Integrity, and Standards

Office of the Secretary to the Commission
Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC)
Office of Protocol
Partnership and Resource Mobilization
Women, Gender, and Youth (WGY)
Information and Communication
Peace Fund Secretariat
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

This broad spectrum of departments ensures that interns gain exposure to diverse areas of the AU’s operations, from policy formulation and implementation to resource mobilization and strategic planning.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates interested in applying must meet the following requirements:

Be actively enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree program or possess a completed Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate (Master’s) qualification in a relevant academic field.
Be nationals of an AU Member State.
Be full-time students currently in their final year of undergraduate or graduate studies.

Be fluent in at least one of the AU’s official languages: Arabic, English, French, or Portuguese.
Be no older than 32 years at the time of application.
Demonstrate high moral standards, integrity, and professionalism.

Have no criminal record or history of serious criminal offences (minor traffic offences excluded).
Prior work experience is not a prerequisite for application.

Applicants from diverse academic backgrounds, including but not limited to International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Agriculture, Health, and Communications, are encouraged to apply.

Terms and Conditions

Applicants should be aware of the following terms governing the internship:

The AU will not bear any financial responsibility for interns’ travel, accommodation, or living expenses. Interns are responsible for arranging their travel and covering associated costs.
The AU will make reasonable efforts to assist interns in obtaining entry and residence visas where applicable.
Interns are not entitled to any financial compensation or allowances from the AU during the internship period.

The internship is valid for three (3) months, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three months, subject to approval.
Interns are responsible for their medical insurance coverage throughout the internship period; the AU does not provide medical travel or evacuation services.

Required Skills and Competencies

Successful candidates should possess the following skills and competencies:

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work harmoniously within a multicultural team.

Ability to adapt to dynamic environments, meet deadlines, and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
Fluency in at least one AU working language; proficiency in additional languages (French, Portuguese, Arabic, Kiswahili) is an advantage.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the AU’s values.

MORE INTERNSHIP OPENINGS:

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit their applications online through the AU recruitment portal. The application package should include:

A motivation letter outlining what the candidate expects to gain from the internship.
A recent CV (Curriculum Vitae).
Certified copies of academic certificates.

A copy of valid identification (passport or national ID).
A recommendation letter from the candidate’s academic institution.

Applicants are advised to complete the AU CV template, which can be downloaded from the official recruitment page, filled out, and uploaded during the application process.

Important: Only applications submitted via the official AU recruitment portal will be considered. After submission, applicants will receive an email confirmation. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online via the AU job portal:

Apply Here

Candidates are encouraged to prepare their documents in advance and ensure all information provided is accurate and complete. The AU strongly encourages applications from women and candidates from diverse backgrounds.

African Union Internship Program 2026

Job Description