Ifad Internship Programme 2027: Paid 6-Month Internship At A Un Agency

IFAD Internship Programme ****: Paid 6-Month Internship at a UN Agency
The IFAD Internship Program offers young graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of the United Nations' specialised agencies in Rome, Italy.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development focuses on reducing poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries, and its internship programme is fully funded — covering a monthly living allowance and travel costs.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, making this a rare open-window opportunity at a multilateral institution.
The internship application is currently available through the official Careers Centre on an
Open Until Filled
basis.
Quick Facts
Opportunity Type
Internship
Host Organization
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Location
IFAD duty stations; Rome, Italy is the headquarters
Duration
6 months
Mode
Depends on the internship assignment; remote or flexible arrangements may be possible where permitted
Nationality
IFAD member country except Rome
Age Limit
30 years or younger
Minimum Degree Required
At least two years of undergraduate study completed, or a recently completed undergraduate/postgraduate degree
Eligible Fields
Fields relevant to IFAD's mission, including agriculture, rural development, economics, finance, environment, climate, food security, nutrition, communications, business administration, IT and related areas
Work Experience Required
No specific professional work-experience requirement stated
Stipend / Financial Support
Monthly allowance calculated at 10% of the applicable duty-station DSA, capped at US$800/month.
Eligible Enhanced Internship Programme participants may receive 14% of DSA plus housing and travel support
Enhanced Support
Eligible interns from developing countries who need to travel to their duty station may receive a higher monthly allowance contributing to housing and travel expenses
Application Fee
None
Additional Internship
Interns may be eligible for an additional six-month internship providing a different learning experience
Language Requirement
Fluency in English; additional languages may be required depending on the assignment
What Is This Opportunity?
The International Fund for Agricultural Development — is a United Nations specialised agency and international financial institution headquartered in Rome, Italy.
Its mission is to end rural poverty by investing in rural people, especially smallholder farmers and women, in developing countries.
The IFAD Internship Program integrates young professionals into the work of the fund, giving interns the chance to contribute to real projects in areas like agricultural finance, rural development, gender equity, climate resilience, and institutional operations.
The programme also offers an enhanced allowance for interns from IFAD's least developed member countries, recognising the additional barriers faced by candidates from lower-income nations.
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible to apply if you:
Are 30 years old or under at the time of application
Are a national of an IFAD member country (IFAD has over 170 member states)
Are currently enrolled in a degree programme, or have recently completed one (typically within the last 12 months)
Have a background in agriculture, rural development, economics, environmental science, development studies, nutrition, gender studies, data analysis, or a related field
Have proficiency in
English
; knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is an asset
What Do You Get?
Monthly living allowance for the 6-month internship period
Travel allowance at the beginning and end of the assignment
Higher allowance for nationals of IFAD's least developed member countries
Real-world UN work experience on active development programmes
Access to IFAD's professional network and international development community in Rome
What Will You Do?
As an IFAD intern, you will be integrated into a division or programme team.
Responsibilities typically include:
Supporting research, analysis, and report writing related to agricultural development and rural finance
Contributing to project documentation, evaluations, and knowledge products
Assisting with data collection, processing, and visualisation
Participating in team meetings and stakeholder engagements
Supporting cross-divisional work across IFAD's operations, communications, and policy teams
Fields / Areas
IFAD internship openings span a range of technical and operational areas, including:
Agricultural economics and rural finance
Environmental science and climate resilience
Gender equality and social inclusion
Nutrition and food systems
Data, monitoring, and evaluation
Communications, kno