UN World Food Programme Internship Requirements

The World Food Programme (WFP) offers various opportunities for individuals seeking to contribute to the global fight against hunger and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These opportunities range from internships to professional positions, each with its own set of requirements and benefits.

Overview of Opportunities at WFP

WFP provides a platform for passionate individuals to engage in meaningful work across different functional areas. Whether through the Junior Professional Officer Programme, internships, fellowships, or volunteer assignments, each role contributes to the organization's mission.

Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme

The Junior Professional Officer Programme, funded by donor governments, offers an exceptional opportunity for young professionals to gain hands-on experience in the world of international development and humanitarian aid. JPOs are highly skilled and motivated international professionals selected through bilateral agreements between WFP and donor countries.

JPOs are placed in WFP’s country offices, regional bureaux or headquarters, where they engage in a variety of impactful roles across functional areas. They contribute to project management, programme implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and policy development. The JPO Programme offers a competitive and dynamic environment that promotes diversity and inclusion. Participants are provided with invaluable on-the-job learning experiences, supported by expert mentoring and guidance.

Internship Programme

The WFP Internship Programme offers a dynamic, professional learning experience for young talents eager to gain hands-on exposure in the humanitarian sector. WFP interns are motivated students or recent graduates who are passionate about making a difference and keen to explore the humanitarian sector. Interns play a vital role in supporting WFP’s mission, by assisting with a range of professional tasks.

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WFP offers internships at country offices, regional bureaux and headquarters, with durations ranging from two to eight months. To be considered for an internship with WFP, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Be currently enrolled in a university degree (for example, Bachelor’s degree) and have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies and attended university classes in the last 12 months;
Be currently enrolled in a graduate programme (for example, Master’s degree) and have attended classes in the past 12 months;
Be a recent graduate from an undergraduate or graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme) and have attended classes in the last 12 months of enrolment in the university.

Fellowship Programme

The WFP Fellowship Programme offers qualified and highly motivated young talents the chance to deepen their expertise and understanding of humanitarian assistance. Fellows are talented Master’s and PhD students, graduates, researchers and professors who bring a strong foundation of technical and professional skills essential for pursuing a career in the humanitarian sector.

Fellowship opportunities are offered throughout the year in country offices, regional bureaux and headquarters, with fellowships lasting between 3 and 12 months. Fellows are fully sponsored by organizations, which can include academic institutions, research bodies or governmental agencies. These entities provide resources and support during the fellowship period, covering costs such as stipend, roundtrip appointment and repatriation travel,accommodation, visa fee, medical insurance and other costs related to assignment.

Volunteer Programme

The WFP Volunteer Programme provides a unique opportunity for individuals to contribute their skills and gain valuable experience while supporting WFP’s mission of ending hunger and its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Volunteers are passionate individuals, aged 18 and over, who are committed to WFP’s goals and mission. Volunteers engage in a wide variety of responsibilities across different areas.

WFP offers volunteer assignments at headquarters, regional bureaux and country offices around the world, with opportunities lasting up to 12 months.

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Key Requirements for WFP Opportunities

Several requirements are common across various WFP opportunities, including internships, fellowships, and volunteer positions:

Fluency in English: Proficiency in English is generally required for most positions.
No Immediate Relatives: Applicants must have no immediate relatives (sister, brother, mother, father) working for WFP.
Commitment to WFP's Mission: A strong commitment to WFP's goals and mission is essential.

Professional Staff Categories at WFP

WFP employs various categories of staff to fulfill its mission, each with specific roles and responsibilities. These categories include:

International Professionals

An International Professional at WFP and other United Nations agencies refers to a staff category comprising individuals recruited internationally to bring specialised expertise to their roles. These positions are open to candidates of all nationalities, reflecting the global and inclusive nature of our work.

D2 and D1s generally serve as senior leaders, such as country directors or directors, overseeing major programmes, setting strategic direction, and managing substantial teams and resources in our headquarters or at the country or regional level; P4 and P5s typically engage in managing complex projects or programmes, providing strategic guidance and leadership, and influencing policy development within their areas of expertise. Contracts for these roles are typically fixed term, allowing for medium- to long-term commitments, with the possibility of renewal for one or two years based on organizational needs, funding availability and satisfactory performance. We encourage individuals from all nationalities and backgrounds to apply for our international positions, as we believe that diverse perspectives enrich our organization and contribute to our success.

National Professional Officers

National Professional Officer staff at WFP are nationals of the country where they serve. They perform technical and professional functions Their roles demand a deep understanding of the national context, including local institutions, systems and cultural nuances, which is critical for effective programme delivery. The qualifications for National Professional Officer positions, which align with those required for International Professional staff (a minimum of a first-level university degree), are uniquely designed to capitalize on their specialized national knowledge and experience. NO contracts are classified into various levels, from NO-A to NO-D, reflecting the range of professional responsibilities.

General Service Staff

General Service staff are recruited to a duty station in regional bureaux, country offices, headquarters and at WFP global offices, to fulfil a range of support functions at various levels (G1 to G7) vital to the operational efficiency of the organization. This includes administrative, secretarial, clerical support, specialized and/or technical support roles. As job levels progress, functions become increasingly complex, accompanied by heightened levels of responsibility. General Service contracts are fixed term, allowing for medium- to long-term commitments, for one year or more. They may be renewed successively, subject to organizational needs, available funding and satisfactory performance. If you do not hold the nationality of the country where the position is located, you need to possess a valid residence and work permit, and reside within commuting distance from the duty station.

Consultants and Service Contract Holders

International Consultants are recognized specialists or authorities in specific fields, focused on achieving specific results. Consultant contracts offer a dynamic opportunity for professionals to provide expert advice in specialized fields or temporarily step into international positions on a short-term basis. The maximum duration for these contracts is 11 months, after which a one-month break-in-service is required for re-employment. Additionally, a three-month break-in-service applies after reaching the maximum employment period of 44 cumulative months.

Service Contracts cater to functions required for specific periods, often ranging from one to four years, tailored for addressing emergencies, special operations and time-limited programme activities. Exclusive to country offices and regional bureaux, Service Contracts adhere to the terms outlined in the contract. Salary scales are locally set, ensuring fairness and consistency. With a minimum duration of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, these contracts offer flexibility while meeting WFP’s operational needs.

Special Service Agreements and Casual Labour

Special Service Agreements are used in the field to engage employees for temporary functions at the General Service or Professional level, for durations of less than 11 months. Exclusively available to country offices and regional bureaux, SSAs operate under local salary rates. The maximum duration for these agreements is 11 months. Upon completion, a one-month break-in-service is required for re-employment with this contract type, and a three-month break-in-service applies after reaching the maximum employment period of 22 cumulative months.

Casual Labour contracts serve to engage personnel for short periods, typically for temporary, intermittent and seasonal duties, and often of a manual nature. These contracts are exclusively available to country offices and regional bureaux, and are governed by the terms outlined in the contract and provisions of WFP’s Human Resources Manual. Salaries are paid at a daily rate or based on piecework, with rates set locally. The maximum duration for these contracts is three consecutive months. Upon completion, a one-month break-in-service is required for re-employment under this contract type.

Temporary Assistance

These positions are intended to provide temporary assistance for the performance of General Service staff functions, for periods of less than one year. The TAU roles are the entry step to WFP headquarters, opening opportunities to apply for other long-term positions. TAUs can be considered for reappointment after the break-in-service, to continue providing support services. These appointments are exclusively available to headquarters and WFP global offices, and are governed by the terms outlined in the contract. The maximum duration for these appointments is 11 months. Upon completion, a one-month break-in-service is required for re-employment under this contract type. Additionally, a three-month break-in-service applies after reaching the maximum employment period of 44 cumulative months.

Internship Opportunities in Detail: WFP Ukraine

As an example, the WFP Ukraine office offers internship opportunities for Ukrainian nationals. These internships focus on supporting the implementation of WFP programmes in the Northern Regions Operations.

Key Responsibilities of a Programme Intern in Ukraine

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Associate, the Programme Intern will undertake the following tasks:

Perform specialized and/or standardised processes and activities within the specific technical area of work supporting alignment with wider programme policies and guidelines.
Provide programmatic support to the office in the implementation of WFP programmes following established targets and WFP’s policies and procedures.
Within the specific area of responsibility, compile data and support analysis and preparation of reports in order to support operational decision-making.
Arrange for and participate into regular field missions and meetings with local authorities and cooperating partners on commodity pipeline, distribution arrangements, food entitlements and other relevant issues to support effective communication flow and efficient operations.
Liaise with cooperating partners and internal counterparts to gather feedback and comments to support programme reviews and improve services.
Perform data entry and data verification tasks on beneficiary lists received from local authorities and partners and provide relevant feedback to colleagues.
Communicate with beneficiaries as needed to clarify and rectify data received, with the utmostprofessionalism and sensitivity.

Requirements for the Programme Intern Position in Ukraine

To be considered for the Programme Intern position in WFP Ukraine, applicants typically need to demonstrate:

Education: Meeting the general WFP internship education requirements. University studies in Economics, International Economic Relations, Food Systems, Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Finance or related fields are desirable.
Experience: Specific experience in one or several of the below topics is an advantage: • Gathering information from multiple sources and reporting on the main findings;• Data cleaning and management.
Knowledge & Skills:Good analytical and conceptual skills;Good command of Excel and solid overall computer literacy;Good writing skills (drafting, formulation, reporting skills) in English;Attention to detail;Willingness to learn;Ability to work both with minimal supervision and as part of a team;Good interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners;Willingness to participate in field missions;Have interest in food security, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system
Languages: Fluent English (written and spoken) Required Ukrainian

Additional Internship Opportunities

Besides WFP, several other organizations offer internships related to food security and humanitarian work:

Action Against Hunger: Provides internship opportunities focused on addressing hunger.
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): Offers internships related to nutrition and food safety.
The Zero Hunger Internship: Matches students with organizations working to address hunger in Washington, D.C.
Food First: A “people’s think tank” offering internships in research, education, and action related to food systems.
Food for People: Provides internships related to hunger relief programs.
Food Research & Action Center (FRAC): Offers internships focused on improving nutrition and health through advocacy and policy solutions.
Kirchner Food Fellowship program: The purpose of the Kirchner Food Fellowship program is to foster the development of individuals who have the practical skills and knowledge to make effective investments in emerging agricultural technologies that have the possibility of addressing global food security.
The Food Shuttle: Recovers and distributes food and teaches skills for self-sufficiency, offering related internship opportunities.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Provides summer internships related to agriculture, food systems, and community development.
Intern Scholar Program: Focuses on developing future scholars through research and advocacy on policy issues, including sustainable food systems.
The Sylvia Rowe Fellowship Award: Was created to help deserving individuals further enhance skills in the area of nutrition and food safety communication.

Benefits of Working with WFP

WFP offers an attractive compensation package and invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs, as well as through internal mobility opportunities. A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

WFP internships normally last between two and eight months. It adds a handsome amount of stipend. There are many opportunities under the United Nations. You can also apply for WHO Internship Programme as well as United Nations Internship. All the applications should be submitted online.

A Stipend of a Maximum of $1000/Month
Travel Tickets Reimbursement will be given to the candidates of developing countries.
Subject knowledge will be enhanced through performing the tasks in a real-life environment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can apply for WFP internships and other positions through the WFP careers website. The application process typically involves submitting a profile with employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills, along with a CV and cover letter. WFP celebrates and embraces diversity.

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