UNFPA Programme Coordination Unit Internship in Johannesburg – Apply by March 20, 2026 @Apply by March 20, 2026

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is inviting applications for the Programme Coordination Unit Internship at its East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) located in Johannesburg.

This internship offers a valuable opportunity for graduate students and recent graduates interested in international development, public health, and programme management to gain hands-on experience supporting regional development initiatives across Africa.

Application Deadline: 20 March 2026
Job ID: 32385
Duty Station: Johannesburg, South Africa

About the UNFPA Programme Coordination Unit Internship

The internship is hosted by the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, which oversees UNFPA programmes across countries in the East and Southern Africa region.

Under the supervision of the Regional Programme Coordination Advisor, the intern will support the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) in implementing and monitoring the Regional Programme Action Plan (RPAP) aligned with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

This role focuses on strengthening programme coordination, monitoring regional initiatives, supporting country programme development, and improving knowledge management systems.

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will work closely with the Programme Coordination Unit, Operations Team, and Technical Units to support regional programming activities.

1. Support Country Programme Development

The intern will help strengthen programme development across UNFPA country offices in the region.

Key tasks include:

• Supporting capacity-building sessions for country offices
• Contributing inputs to development documents such as:
  • Common Country Analysis (CCA)
  • United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)
  • Country Programme Documents (CPDs)
• Monitoring country programme development roadmaps to ensure progress remains on track
• Supporting review of country work plans and implementation reports

2. Programme Monitoring and Financial Oversight

The internship will involve supporting programme monitoring and financial management processes.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring regional programme implementation
• Supporting work plan and budget preparation
• Assisting with programme performance analysis using key indicators
• Supporting implementing partner assurance and oversight activities

3. Knowledge Management and Documentation

The intern will also support the improvement of knowledge-sharing systems within the regional office.

Key duties include:

• Updating programme documentation and knowledge repositories
• Preparing knowledge products highlighting lessons learned and best practices
• Supporting documentation of meetings and programme review outcomes
• Contributing to evaluation feedback discussions related to technical assistance

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet several academic and professional requirements to qualify for this internship.

Educational Requirements

Candidates must:

• Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as:
  • International Development
  • Public Health
  • Gender Studies
  • Population and Development
• Or have recently graduated with a relevant degree and be able to start the internship within one year of graduation.

Professional Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong interest in international development and UN programmes
• Experience working with development agencies, including volunteer work
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments

Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of other languages is considered an asset.

Learning Opportunities

The internship provides significant professional development opportunities within the United Nations system.

Participants will gain:

• Practical knowledge of UN programme design and implementation
• Experience in programme monitoring and evaluation
• Exposure to regional development coordination mechanisms
• Understanding of UN governance structures and policies

Interns will also have the opportunity to network with UN professionals and collaborate in a multicultural work environment.

Financial Support

UNFPA provides a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses during the internship if the intern is not already funded by another institution such as a university, government, or scholarship program.

However, interns must:

• Arrange their own medical insurance for the internship period
• Provide proof of insurance before starting the internship

Why This Internship Matters

The Programme Coordination Unit Internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale development programs while gaining practical experience in programme management and coordination.

Interns will support initiatives aligned with UNFPA’s mission to ensure:

• Every pregnancy is intended
• Every childbirth is safe
• Every young person’s potential is fulfilled

Through this experience, interns can build strong foundations for careers in international development, public health, and global policy.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the UNFPA careers portal before the deadline.

Application Deadline: 20 March 2026

Due to high demand for UN internships, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

APPLY HER

The UNFPA Programme Coordination Unit Internship is an excellent opportunity for students and young professionals who want to develop their skills in programme coordination, development policy, and regional programme management.

If you are passionate about international development and want to gain experience working within the United Nations system, this internship could be an important step in your career journey.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this internship. 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.