The FAO World Food Forum Internship in Rome offers students and recent graduates aged 21–30 practical experience in youth empowerment, food systems, communications, innovation and sustainable development. Apply by 4 November 2026.
Background & Job Description
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for its World Food Forum (WFF) Internship Programme at its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The internship is part of FAO’s broader Internship Programme, which gives students and recent graduates opportunities to complement their academic knowledge with practical work experience. Successful applicants will support the Office of Youth and Women, which promotes youth and women’s empowerment across agrifood systems.
The programme supports initiatives involving the World Food Forum, a youth-led network that connects young people and partners to influence agrifood systems through policy engagement, innovation and local action.
Internships last between 3 and 11 months, depending on the assignment. The advertised application deadline is 4 November 2026.
Internship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
| Programme | World Food Forum Internship Programme |
| Vacancy reference | 2602160 |
| Location | Rome, Italy |
| Duration | 3–11 months |
| Opportunity type | Internship |
| Organisational unit | FAO Headquarters |
| Age requirement | 21–30 years |
| Remuneration | Unpaid |
| Application deadline | 4 November 2026 |
| Official application | Apply through the FAO recruitment portal |
Tasks and Internship Benefits
Interns will be assigned to activities relevant to the Office of Youth and Women and the World Food Forum. Specific responsibilities will be determined by the hiring office and detailed in the relevant Terms of Reference.
Potential areas of work identified in the vacancy include:
- Youth and women’s empowerment: Supporting initiatives that promote youth leadership and gender equality in agrifood systems.
- Policy engagement: Providing thematic and academic support for policy dialogues.
- Communications and outreach: Contributing to marketing, communications, public engagement and cultural activities.
- Innovation and data: Supporting innovation, artificial intelligence, data analysis and knowledge management.
- Partnerships and fundraising: Assisting with collaboration and resource-mobilisation activities.
- Event management: Supporting events and activities connected with the World Food Forum and FAO’s work.
Relevant experience in these areas is considered an asset, rather than a universal requirement for every internship assignment.
The programme provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international organisation while learning about food security, sustainable agrifood systems and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To be considered for the FAO World Food Forum Internship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be aged 21–30 years.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognised educational institution when applying, or be a recent graduate.
- Specialise in a field relevant to FAO’s mission and activities.
- Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish.
- Be a national of an FAO Member country.
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt to an international, multicultural working environment.
- Have good communication skills.
Applicants’ higher education qualifications must come from institutions accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities and UNESCO.
Knowledge of a second FAO official language is an advantage. Relevant experience in gender equality, youth empowerment, policy, innovation, partnerships, communications, AI, data, cultural activities or event management may also strengthen an application.
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted through FAO’s official recruitment portal. Candidates are advised to complete their online profiles accurately, including their education, employment history and language skills.
A letter of motivation must be attached to the online application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.
Application deadline: 4 November 2026, at 12:59 a.m. as displayed in the supplied vacancy notice. Applicants should verify the applicable deadline and time zone on the official portal before submitting their applications.
How to apply: Visit the official FAO World Food Forum Internship vacancy, create or complete your candidate profile, attach your motivation letter and submit your application online.
Important: FAO states that it does not charge application or recruitment fees. The internship is unpaid, so applicants should consider the cost of living and other expenses associated with working in Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the FAO World Food Forum Internship?
It is an internship opportunity within FAO’s Office of Youth and Women, supporting initiatives related to youth and women’s empowerment, agrifood systems and the World Food Forum.
2. Who can apply for the internship?
Eligible candidates must be aged 21–30 and either enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme at a recognised institution or be recent graduates. They must also meet the nationality, language and field-of-study requirements.
3. Where is the internship based?
The advertised opportunity is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
4. How long does the internship last?
The duration ranges from 3 to 11 months, depending on the assignment.
5. Is the FAO World Food Forum Internship paid?
No. The vacancy states that FAO does not provide remuneration for interns. Applicants should plan for their living and other expenses.
6. Which languages are accepted?
Applicants need working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. Knowledge of an additional FAO language is an advantage.
7. What fields of study are eligible?
Candidates must specialise in a field relevant to FAO’s mission. Potentially relevant areas include youth and women’s empowerment, communications, policy, innovation, data, artificial intelligence, partnerships and event management. Specific relevance depends on the assignment.
8. What documents are required?
Applicants should complete their online profile with accurate academic, employment and language information and attach a letter of motivation. Only applications submitted through the official FAO portal will be considered.
9. What is the application deadline?
The vacancy lists 4 November 2026 as the closing date. Candidates should check the official application portal to confirm the exact deadline and time zone.
10. How can I apply?
Apply through the official FAO vacancy page and submit a complete online application before the deadline.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The FAO World Food Forum Internship may be suitable for students and recent graduates seeking international exposure in youth empowerment, gender equality, sustainable food systems, communications, innovation and development. Applicants should carefully check the age, nationality, education and language requirements and remember that the placement is unpaid.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares internship and career opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with FAO and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should verify all requirements and application details on the official FAO website.
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