FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) Internship 2026 for Young People

Application Deadline: 31 December 2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Internship Programme at the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE).

FAO plays a leading role in global efforts to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition, and achieve food security for all. With over 195 member states and activities in more than 130 countries, FAO works to ensure that people everywhere have reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

The Internship Programme is designed to attract talented young people eager to share new perspectives, innovative ideas, and recent academic expertise with FAO. It offers participants an opportunity to complement their academic learning with practical, hands-on work experience directly linked to FAO’s mission in the Near East and North Africa region.

Internship Structure

Reporting Lines: Interns will work under the supervision of an FAO staff member.
Technical Focus: Assignments will be matched to the intern’s academic profile and FAO’s operational needs.
Tasks & Responsibilities: Specific duties will be outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) prepared by the hiring office.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be enrolled in or have recently completed an undergraduate or graduate programme at a recognized institution (see the World Higher Education Database).
Specialize in a field relevant to FAO’s mandate (e.g., agriculture, food security, nutrition, climate change, natural resources, economics, social sciences, or related areas).
Have working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish). Knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset.
Be nationals of an FAO member state.
Be between 21 and 30 years old at the time of application.
Demonstrate adaptability to an international and multicultural environment, with strong communication skills.

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Relevant academic training in areas connected to FAO’s work.
Ability to contribute to interdisciplinary projects and adapt knowledge to practical assignments.

Why Apply?

This internship gives young people the chance to:

Gain valuable work experience in an international UN agency.
Apply academic learning to real-world agricultural and development challenges.
Build professional networks with experts in food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
Contribute directly to FAO’s goal of achieving Zero Hunger in the Near East and North Africa region.