FAO Internship Program: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is at the forefront of international efforts to combat hunger and ensure food security for all, striving to guarantee consistent access to sufficient, high-quality food for healthy and active lives. With a global presence spanning over 130 countries and comprising 195 member states, FAO believes in the collective power to eradicate hunger.

The FAO Internship Programme is designed as a learning opportunity aimed at attracting talented young women and men who are strongly motivated to share their new perspectives, innovative ideas, and latest research experience in FAO’s domains. The Human Resources Internship Program seeks to recruit exceptional young people who are eager to contribute their fresh viewpoints, ground-breaking concepts, and most recent research expertise in areas of interest to FAO. It offers participants the chance to complement their academic learning with a real-world job assignment in a field relevant to FAO's activities. It provides selected students, enrolled in an under-graduate or post-graduate degree programme or recent graduates, with the opportunity to supplement their academic knowledge with a practical work experience in a field related to the work of FAO. It will enable them to gain a better understanding of FAO’s mandate and programmes. At the same time, the Programme provides FAO with the assistance of qualified individuals specializing in relevant fields in connection to FAO's Strategic Framework and to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Eligibility Criteria for the FAO Internship Programme

To be eligible for the FAO Internship Program, applicants must meet specific criteria pertaining to nationality, education, language proficiency, and age. These requirements ensure that selected candidates can effectively contribute to FAO's mission and benefit from the internship experience.

Nationality

Candidates must be nationals of FAO Member Nations. The Programme proactively and strategically mobilizes broad-based volunteer services of nationals of FAO Members to contribute to end hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.

Educational Background

Applicants must be students enrolled in an under-graduate or graduate degree programme in a bona fide educational institution at the time of application, or recent graduates. Must be enrolled in an undergraduate, or graduate degree program in a âbona fideâ educational institution at the time of application or recent graduate. Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO. Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.

Language Proficiency

A working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish) is essential. Knowledge of a second FAO language will be considered an asset.

Age Requirements

Candidates should be aged between 21 and 30 at the start of their internship.

Additional Skills

Candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills.

Application Process and Required Documents

To apply for the FAO Internship Program, candidates must complete an online application through the FAO recruitment portal. Several documents are required to complete the application process.

Online Profile

We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, and complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills.

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Letter of Motivation

A letter of motivation should include the reason for wishing to participate in the programme, the unit or area of work where you wish to undertake the assignment. You are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. Your letter of motivation should include the reason for wishing to participate in the programme, the unit or area of work where you wish to undertake the assignment.

Evidence of Enrollment or Academic Qualifications

Applicants must provide evidence of attendance in a recognized university or a copy of their academic qualifications to the online profile. A letter from the university proofing attendance. You are requested to attach evidence of attendance in a recognized university, or a copy of your academic qualifications to the online profile.

Submission

Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application through the FAO recruitment portal. Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered. â¢ Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile. â¢ Incomplete applications will not be considered. â¢ Candidates who are not selected before the closing date and wish to be continuously considered for an assignment are requested to re-apply to the new Calls. â¢ We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

What to Expect During the Internship

The FAO Internship Program offers a unique opportunity to gain practical work experience and contribute to the organization's mission.

Stipend and Benefits

FAO Interns will receive a stipend in a local currency not exceeding US$ 700 per month. FAO pays a monthly stipend of $700 to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities.All interns will receive this stipend for the full duration of the internship program. FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns if they are not sponsored by sending universities or other entities. Interns will receive a stipend in local currency and not exceeding US$ 700 per month. However, medical coverage related to service-incurred is provided, with FAO paying the full premium.

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Responsibilities

Interns are responsible for their own accommodation at the duty station.

Prohibited Practices

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing). Candidates with family members (defined as mother, father, sister, or brother) employed by FAO under any type of contractual arrangement are not eligible for the Internship Programme. Candidates who have already undertaken an internship assignment at FAO will not be eligible for another internship.

Important Considerations

Selected candidates should have appropriate residence or immigration status in the proposed country of assignment prior to joining the Organization.

Additional Opportunities within USDA

Beyond the FAO, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers numerous internship and employment opportunities for students and recent graduates across various fields. These programs provide valuable experience and pathways to careers in agriculture and related sectors.

USDA Pathways Program

The USDA Pathways Program offers three distinct avenues for students and recent graduates:

Pathways Internship Program: This program provides year-round paid work experiences for current degree-seeking students, with potential for non-competitive conversion upon program completion.
Pathways Recent Graduates Program: Designed for graduates within two years of degree completion (or six years for veterans), this program offers a one-year career development experience with possible conversion to a permanent position.
Presidential Management Fellows Program: This leadership development program is tailored for advanced degree candidates and offers a two-year appointment that may lead to a permanent position.

USDA Scholarship Programs

The USDA offers several scholarship programs to support students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields:

1890 National Scholars Program: This program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board to students attending 1890 historically black land-grant colleges and universities. Upon completion of academic and summer work requirements, students may be converted to permanent employees.
1994 Tribal Scholars Program: This program supports American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines at Tribal Colleges and Universities. It provides full tuition, employment, housing or a living stipend, employee benefits, fees, and books for up to 4 years.

USDA Volunteer and Service Programs

The USDA also offers various volunteer and service programs for young adults:

American Climate Corps: As part of efforts to combat climate change, this program trains young people for jobs in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience.
Indian Youth Service Corps: This Department of the Interior (DOI) initiative engages Native youth in public service projects on federal and Tribal lands.
Public Lands Corps: This program provides paid work experience for young adults to advance conservation and stewardship of public lands.
Resource Assistants Program: This rigorous internship program is for individuals interested in natural and cultural resources careers.
Youth Conservation Corps: This summer youth employment program engages young people in meaningful work experiences in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries.

Third-Party Internship Programs

The USDA partners with various organizations to offer students opportunities to work with its agencies and offices:

HEP/CAMP Internship Program: This program offers a paid 10-week internship for students from migrant and farmworker backgrounds.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program: This program places students in federal and corporate internships at USDA offices.

Additional USDA Programs

NextGen Program: USDA made a historic $262.5 million investment in 2023 in over 60 minority-serving institutions across the United States and Insular Areas to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of leaders in food, agricultural, natural resources and human sciences fields.
Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates: This program promotes experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the food and agricultural sciences.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program: This program supports students in science, technology, engineering, agricultural, mathematics, and business at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Wallace-Carver Fellowship Program: This program offers college students the opportunity to collaborate with scientists and policymakers through paid fellowships at USDA research centers and offices.
Agricultural Scholars: The Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars program engages graduate student scholars working in agricultural economics or related agricultural policy work.
Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program: This program provides District of Columbia youth with summer work experiences in the private and government sectors.
Forest Service Job Corps: This residential career training program helps young people conserve natural resources while completing their education and training for careers.

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