The ILO Internship Programme offers graduate and postgraduate students and recent graduates 3–6 months of hands-on experience in an international, multilingual environment.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Internship Programme provides graduate and postgraduate students and recent graduates with opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience in areas related to the ILO’s mandate and activities.
Internships normally last between three and six months and provide exposure to the ILO’s daily work in an international, multicultural and multilingual environment.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Labour Organization (ILO) |
| Programme | ILO Internship Programme |
| Duration | 3–6 months |
| Eligible candidates | Graduate/postgraduate students and recent graduates |
| Study requirement | Final year of a Master’s/equivalent or higher degree, or completed such a programme in the preceding year |
| Working languages | English, French or Spanish |
| Age limit | None |
| Recruitment | Internship Roster opened twice a year |
| Normal roster periods | April and October |
| Internship start dates | 1st or 15th of any month |
| Stipend | Provided in certain circumstances |
| Application limit | Maximum 3 applications per recruitment advertisement period |
What Does the ILO Internship Programme Involve?
The programme is designed to provide a “hands-on” learning experience connected to the work of the ILO.
Interns gain exposure to the organisation’s daily activities and work in an international environment involving different cultures and languages.
Internships may start throughout the year because selected candidates from each roster are made available to ILO departments seeking interns.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, candidates must meet the ILO’s stated academic and language requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in the last year of a graduate degree, such as a Master’s or equivalent.
- Alternatively, be enrolled in a higher degree programme relevant to the ILO’s work.
- Candidates who completed such a programme in the year preceding the application may also apply.
- Have a working knowledge of at least one ILO working language: English, French or Spanish.
- Be able to adapt to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment.
There is no age limit for applicants.
Internship Duration
ILO internships generally last between three and six months.
Internships can begin on either the 1st or 15th of any month, depending on departmental requirements and the applicable internship roster.
Stipend and Costs
The ILO states that expenses including travel, passport, visa, insurance covering illness and accidents, accommodation and living expenses are generally the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
However, where an intern is not supported by an institution such as a university or government, the ILO provides a stipend to cover basic subsistence costs.
The supplied information does not state a specific stipend amount.
Internship Roster and Recruitment
The ILO opens its Internship Roster twice each year, normally in April and October.
Once an application period closes, eligible candidates’ profiles are made available to ILO departments that are seeking interns during the relevant roster period.
This means the roster is not necessarily tied to one fixed internship start date.
Important Eligibility Restrictions
Certain candidates are not eligible.
Close relatives of serving ILO officials cannot participate in the internship programme. Candidates who have previously worked at the ILO or already participated in the ILO Internship Programme are also ineligible.
Applicants are limited to three applications per recruitment advertisement period.
Application Deadline
The ILO does not provide one permanent annual deadline on the supplied programme page. Instead, the Internship Roster normally opens twice a year, in April and October.
Applicants should check the official ILO careers portal when the relevant recruitment period opens.
How to Apply
Candidates should monitor the official ILO Careers website for the opening of the Internship Roster and submit their applications through the official recruitment system.
Visit the official ILO Internship Programme page
Visit the official ILO website
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The ILO Internship Programme is particularly relevant for Master’s students, higher-degree students and recent graduates seeking practical exposure to international organisations and work connected to labour and development issues.
The absence of an age limit also makes the programme different from many graduate internship opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ILO Internship Programme?
Candidates in the final year of a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree, those enrolled in a higher degree relevant to the ILO’s work, and certain recent graduates may apply.
Is there an age limit?
No. The ILO states that there is no age limit for internship applicants.
How long are ILO internships?
Internships normally last three to six months.
Which languages can applicants use?
Applicants need a working knowledge of at least one of the ILO’s working languages: English, French or Spanish.
Does the ILO pay interns?
The ILO states that a stipend is paid to interns who are not supported by an institution, to cover basic subsistence costs. No specific amount is provided on the supplied page.
Does the ILO cover travel and accommodation?
The supplied information states that travel, passport, visa, insurance, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
How often does the Internship Roster open?
The ILO normally opens the Internship Roster twice a year, in April and October.
Can former ILO interns apply again?
No. Candidates who have already worked at the ILO or participated in the Internship Programme are stated to be ineligible.
How many applications can I submit?
The ILO states that candidates can submit a maximum of three applications per recruitment advertisement period.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed is sharing this opportunity for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the International Labour Organization and do not recruit applicants on its behalf.
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