The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially announced a Call for Expressions of Interest for its Internship Programme in the Africa Region (RAF), opening opportunities for young professionals to gain hands-on experience in international development, agriculture, and food security systems.

Listed under vacancy number 2600030, the programme is part of FAO’s global internship initiative designed to strengthen youth participation in the transformation of agrifood systems across Africa and beyond.

Applications are open until 25 August 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Strengthening Africa’s Agrifood Systems Through Youth Engagement

The FAO Internship Programme for Africa aims to attract highly motivated students and recent graduates who are eager to contribute to global efforts to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition.

Interns will work within FAO’s regional structures supporting African member states in achieving more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The programme emphasizes innovation, knowledge exchange, and practical exposure to international agricultural development work.

Programme Overview and Key Details

The Africa Regional Internship Programme provides structured professional experience across various FAO offices and project locations within the region.

Key details include:

Vacancy Number: 2600030
Programme Type: Internship – Call for Expressions of Interest
Organizational Unit: RAF (Africa Region)
Primary Location: Various locations across Africa
Duration: 3 to 11 months
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026 at 11:59 PM
Job Type: Internship Programme

Assignments will depend on candidate profiles and organizational needs across FAO’s Africa operations.

About FAO and Its Mandate in Africa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations leads global efforts to eradicate hunger, improve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. Operating in more than 130 countries and supported by 195 member states, FAO plays a central role in shaping agricultural policy and development strategies worldwide.

In Africa, FAO works closely with governments, regional institutions, and development partners to strengthen food systems, improve rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable land and water management practices.

The internship programme forms part of FAO’s broader commitment to youth engagement and capacity building in the development sector.

Internship Responsibilities and Technical Focus

Interns selected under the Africa Regional Programme will be assigned to technical and operational areas based on their academic background and organizational needs.

Typical responsibilities include:

Supporting agricultural development and food security projects
Assisting in data collection, analysis, and reporting activities
Contributing to programme design, implementation, and monitoring
Supporting knowledge management and technical documentation
Participating in research and policy-related work within FAO projects

All interns will work under the supervision of designated FAO staff members and contribute to Terms of Reference (TOR)-based assignments defined prior to deployment.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

FAO has outlined specific eligibility criteria for applicants to ensure alignment with the organization’s academic and professional standards.

Applicants must:

Be enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme at a recognized institution listed in the UNESCO/IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED)
Have academic specialization relevant to FAO’s areas of work, such as agriculture, economics, environmental science, or related disciplines
Be nationals of FAO member countries
Be between 21 and 30 years of age
Demonstrate the ability to work in an international and multicultural environment
Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish)

Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset.

Core Competencies and Professional Skills

FAO places strong emphasis on professional values and competencies that support effective international collaboration.

Key competencies include:

Results-oriented work approach
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
Effective communication abilities
Capacity to build and maintain professional relationships
Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing

Candidates are expected to demonstrate both technical knowledge and adaptability in multicultural settings.

Ethical Standards and Organizational Integrity

FAO maintains strict ethical guidelines across all recruitment and employment processes. The organization enforces a zero-fee policy and does not charge any application or processing fees at any stage.

Applicants are required to adhere to FAO’s core values:

Commitment to FAO’s mission
Respect for diversity and inclusion
Integrity and transparency in professional conduct

All selected candidates undergo thorough background and reference checks to ensure compliance with FAO standards.

Application Process and Requirements

Interested candidates must apply through the official FAO recruitment portal. The application process includes:

Completion of an online profile with academic and professional details
Submission of a motivation letter
Upload of academic records or proof of enrollment
Provision of language proficiency and employment history (if applicable)

Only applications submitted through the official portal will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications well before the deadline.

Important Conditions for Applicants

Key conditions for participation include:

Previous FAO interns are not eligible to reapply
Candidates must have appropriate residency or immigration status for the assigned location
A monthly stipend may be provided unless externally sponsored
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews

FAO also reserves the right to share applicant data internally and with authorized service providers for recruitment processing, subject to applicant consent.

Deadline for Applications

The closing date for submissions is:

25 August 2026 at 11:59 PM

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Building the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders

The FAO Internship Programme for Africa continues to serve as a strategic platform for developing young professionals in agriculture, food systems, and sustainable development. By providing hands-on experience within international development projects, the programme contributes to building the next generation of experts capable of addressing Africa’s evolving food security and environmental challenges.

Through this initiative, FAO reinforces its long-term commitment to empowering youth and strengthening agrifood systems across the African continent.

VISIT HERE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.