UNFPA Youth Team Internship in Johannesburg: Apply by March 20, 2026 (monthly stipend available) @Unknown

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is offering an exciting internship opportunity for young professionals interested in youth development, public health, and international development.

The Youth Team Internship at the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is based in Johannesburg and aims to empower young leaders to contribute to youth participation and leadership initiatives across the region.

This internship provides valuable hands-on experience working with regional youth networks, supporting programs that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), youth engagement, and social accountability.

Application Deadline: 20 March 2026

About the UNFPA Youth Team Internship

The internship is hosted by the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, which works to strengthen youth engagement and leadership across the East and Southern Africa region.

UNFPA plays a critical role in promoting global development goals, including ensuring that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Through its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, the organization focuses on four major outcomes:

• Ending unmet need for family planning
• Ending preventable maternal deaths
• Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices
• Addressing demographic change through evidence-based policies

This internship supports initiatives that encourage young people to actively participate in shaping policies and programs that affect their lives.

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will work under the guidance of the Adolescent and Youth Team Leader and the supervision of the Adolescent and Youth Programme Specialist.

Youth Engagement and Participation

The intern will support youth-led initiatives and strengthen collaboration with youth networks across the region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the planning and organization of youth-led events, including virtual, hybrid, and in-person programs
• Promoting UNFPA messaging through youth organizations such as AfriYAN, Y-Act, and United Movement
• Contributing to proposals for mobilizing resources for youth programs
• Supporting communication campaigns, including social media, newsletters, and press releases

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

The intern will help strengthen UNFPA’s youth communication strategies by:

• Supporting development of communication materials
• Contributing to social media strategies that enhance youth participation
• Documenting best practices and lessons learned from youth programs

Partnerships and Innovation

The role also involves working with youth networks and innovation platforms across the region.

Responsibilities include:

• Strengthening partnerships with regional youth organizations
• Supporting knowledge sharing among youth networks
• Helping map youth-led innovation solutions across the region
• Contributing to the development of regional youth engagement mechanisms

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this internship, applicants must meet several educational and professional criteria.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as:
  • International Development
  • Public Health
  • Gender or Women’s Studies
  • Population and Development
• Postgraduate studies in a related field are considered an advantage.

Candidates should begin the internship within a few years of graduation.

Other Requirements

Applicants should also demonstrate:

• Strong interest in international development and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
• Experience working with development organizations or volunteer programs
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments

Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old and fluent in English. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

Learning Opportunities

This internship provides a valuable learning experience for young professionals interested in international development and the United Nations system.

By the end of the internship, participants will gain:

• A deeper understanding of UNFPA’s mandate and global programs
• Knowledge of UN governance structures and policy frameworks
• Experience in program design, communications, and regional coordination
• Exposure to emerging global trends such as climate adaptation and innovation in development

Interns will also build professional networks with UN staff and development professionals across the region.

Financial Support

UNFPA interns receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses during the internship, provided they are not already receiving financial support from another institution.

However, interns must:

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

Why This Internship Matters

This opportunity allows young professionals to contribute to regional initiatives that empower youth and strengthen health systems across Africa.

Through engagement with youth networks and regional development programs, interns will gain practical experience while helping advance policies and programs that improve the lives of young people.

How to Apply

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

Application Deadline: 20 March 2026

Early applications are encouraged, as positions within the United Nations system are highly competitive.

APPLY HERE

The UNFPA Youth Team Internship offers an excellent opportunity for young professionals passionate about youth leadership, gender equality, and global development.

If you want to gain real-world experience with a leading international organization while contributing to youth empowerment initiatives across Africa, this internship could be a strong stepping stone for your career in international development.

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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.