UNICEF is accepting applications for two Legal Internships with the Office of the Executive Director (OED), giving law students and recent law graduates an opportunity to gain practical legal experience within one of the world’s leading international organizations.
The six-month internships are available with UNICEF’s Legal Team in New York, United States, and Copenhagen, Denmark. Candidates can indicate their preferred location in their cover letter.
A major advantage for early-career applicants is that no professional legal experience is required. Eligible applicants can include current graduate law students, final-year undergraduate law students and people who graduated from an eligible law programme within the past two years.
Applications were advertised on 31 August 2026, and the deadline is 13 September 2026, Eastern Daylight Time.
UNICEF Legal Internships 2026 at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNICEF |
| Position | Legal Intern |
| Number of internships | 2 |
| Office | Office of the Executive Director / Legal Team |
| Locations | New York and Copenhagen |
| Contract type | Internship |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Professional legal experience | Not required |
| Target applicants | Law students and recent law graduates |
| Language | English required |
| Spanish | Desirable |
| Other UN languages | An asset |
| Advertised | 31 August 2026 |
| Deadline | 13 September 2026, EDT |
| Job number | 595144 |
What Are the UNICEF Legal Internships?
UNICEF’s Legal Team supports the organization’s business units around the world by providing strategic legal solutions.
Its work includes providing legal advice, identifying legal and reputational risks, anticipating emerging challenges and developing solutions that support UNICEF’s global operations.
UNICEF lawyers are based in several locations, including New York, Rome, Copenhagen and Brussels.
For this recruitment round, UNICEF is looking for two highly motivated legal interns to support the Legal Team in:
New York
and
Copenhagen
The internships are intended to provide law students and recent law graduates with practical exposure to the legal work of a major international organization.
Who Can Apply?
UNICEF provides three educational routes through which candidates can qualify.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements.
Option 1 — Graduate Law Students
You can apply if you are currently enrolled in a graduate programme in law.
UNICEF provides examples including:
- LL.M.
- J.D.
- Equivalent graduate law programmes
Option 2 — Final-Year Law Students
Applicants can also qualify if they are enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme in law.
Option 3 — Recent Law Graduates
You can also apply if you graduated from an eligible law programme within the past two years.
This makes the internship accessible to both current students and people who have recently completed their legal education.
Do You Need Previous Legal Work Experience?
One of the most important eligibility details is:
No professional legal experience is required.
That makes this opportunity particularly relevant to applicants trying to secure their first substantial international legal experience.
However, having relevant experience can still strengthen an application.
UNICEF states that academic, research, volunteer or internship experience in areas including:
- International law
- Public law
- Commercial law
- Related fields
is desirable.
Opportunities Feed insight
Don’t interpret “no professional experience required” as meaning experience is irrelevant.
The distinction is that UNICEF does not require you to have already worked professionally as a lawyer.
A student could still demonstrate relevant capabilities through:
University research
Moot court
Legal clinics
Research assistant work
Volunteer legal projects
Previous internships
Academic papers
or other relevant activities.
These can provide evidence of the legal research, writing and analytical skills UNICEF is seeking.
What Will UNICEF Legal Interns Actually Do?
Selected interns will work on practical legal assignments under the supervision of a Legal Affairs Specialist.
Responsibilities may include:
- Conducting legal research
- Preparing legal memoranda
- Drafting briefing notes
- Preparing presentations
- Drafting correspondence
- Reviewing legal materials
- Analysing policy and background materials
- Supporting knowledge-management initiatives
- Supporting Legal Team documentation
- Preparing background materials for meetings
- Attending meetings
- Preparing meeting summaries and notes
- Supporting other Legal Team projects
The exact assignments can vary depending on the Legal Team’s needs and the interests and qualifications of the selected candidate.
Why This Internship Could Be Valuable for Law Students
The strongest aspect of this internship is the type of professional exposure available.
UNICEF specifically says the internship is intended to help participants develop:
Legal research skills
Legal drafting skills
and
Analytical skills
while working alongside members of UNICEF’s Legal Team.
For someone interested in international organizations, international law or public-sector legal work, this provides an opportunity to understand how legal professionals operate inside a major UN organization.
Supervision and Professional Development
Interns will not simply be given assignments without guidance.
UNICEF states that the intern will work under the supervision of a Legal Affairs Specialist and collaborate with colleagues throughout the organization’s Legal Team.
Regular:
- Guidance
- Feedback
- Monitoring
will be provided throughout the internship.
For students and recent graduates, this is particularly useful because constructive feedback can help turn academic legal skills into professional ones.
Skills UNICEF Is Looking For
UNICEF identifies several important skills for successful applicants.
Strong Legal Research and Analytical Skills
Candidates should be capable of researching legal issues, interpreting information and developing reasoned conclusions.
Strong Writing and Drafting
Interns may contribute to legal memoranda, briefing notes, correspondence and other documents.
Strong written communication is therefore essential.
Problem Solving
UNICEF specifically requires a constructive and client-oriented approach to resolving problems.
Multicultural Collaboration
Candidates should be able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
This is particularly important in an organization operating across more than 190 countries and territories.
Organization and Attention to Detail
Legal work requires accuracy, and UNICEF specifically identifies strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Microsoft Office
Applicants should also be proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an asset, including:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- Russian
Opportunities Feed application tip
If you speak more than one relevant language, make your language proficiency easy to identify on your CV.
State your level accurately rather than simply listing languages without proficiency levels.
UNICEF Competencies Applicants Should Understand
The vacancy identifies seven UNICEF competencies relevant to the position:
- Builds and maintains partnerships
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
- Drive to achieve results for impact
- Innovates and embraces change
- Manages ambiguity and complexity
- Thinks and acts strategically
- Works collaboratively with others
Applicants should not simply copy these competencies into their CV or cover letter.
Instead, demonstrate them through evidence.
For example, if you want to show collaboration, briefly describe a legal research project, moot court, student organization or internship where you worked effectively with others.
New York or Copenhagen — Which Should You Choose?
UNICEF is recruiting two interns for the New York and Copenhagen offices and specifically asks candidates to indicate their location preference, if any, in their cover letter.
If you have a genuine preference, state it clearly.
For example:
Preferred location: New York
or
Preferred location: Copenhagen
You can also briefly explain why that location fits your professional interests if the explanation adds value.
Do not invent a preference simply because you think one office sounds more prestigious.
How to Write a Strong Cover Letter
Because UNICEF specifically asks candidates to indicate their location preference in the cover letter, this document deserves careful attention.
A strong cover letter should answer four questions.
Why UNICEF?
Explain why the organization’s mandate and legal work interest you.
Avoid generic statements such as:
I have always dreamed of working for the United Nations.
Instead, connect your legal interests with UNICEF’s work.
Why This Legal Internship?
Explain how the internship fits your professional direction.
For example, you might be interested in:
- International organizations
- International law
- Public law
- Commercial law
- Institutional legal work
- Children’s rights
- Development-related legal issues
Only mention interests that genuinely apply to you.
What Can You Contribute?
Provide evidence of:
- Research ability
- Legal writing
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
Which Location Do You Prefer?
State New York or Copenhagen, if you have a preference.
Opportunities Feed CV Strategy
For this internship, your CV should make your legal capabilities visible quickly.
A useful order could be:
Education
Relevant legal experience
Research and academic projects
Legal skills
Languages
Technical skills
Leadership and volunteering
Because professional legal experience is not required, students should not worry about having an empty “Employment History” section.
Instead, identify experiences that demonstrate the capabilities UNICEF actually wants.
How to Turn Academic Experience Into Strong CV Evidence
Suppose you completed a substantial research paper on international law.
Instead of writing:
Completed international law research project.
you could write:
Conducted legal research on international law issues, analysed primary and secondary legal sources and produced a structured research paper presenting evidence-based legal arguments.
Similarly, instead of:
Participated in moot court.
you might write:
Researched legal authorities, prepared written arguments and collaborated with team members to develop submissions for a university moot court competition.
These examples demonstrate skills rather than simply naming activities.
Documents You Should Prepare
The supplied vacancy does not provide a complete universal document checklist.
However, candidates should prepare the materials required by the official application system and pay particular attention to their:
- CV or resume
- Cover letter
- Education information
- Relevant academic experience
- Research experience
- Language information
Because UNICEF specifically requests location preference in the cover letter, applicants should not overlook that instruction.
UNICEF Internship Salary and Financial Support
The supplied vacancy information does not state a specific stipend or salary amount for these two Legal Internships.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on an invented or unofficial amount when evaluating the opportunity.
Any applicable internship stipend, financial support or other arrangements should be confirmed through UNICEF’s official recruitment information.
How Competitive Are the UNICEF Legal Internships?
UNICEF does not publish an acceptance rate or applicant count for this specific vacancy in the material provided.
It would therefore be inaccurate to claim a particular acceptance rate.
However, Opportunities Feed would classify this as a potentially highly competitive opportunity because:
- Only two internships are advertised
- Both are within UNICEF’s Legal Team
- Professional legal experience is not mandatory
- Final-year law students can qualify
- Recent graduates can qualify
- Graduate law students can qualify
The relatively broad early-career eligibility combined with only two advertised positions could attract significant interest.
This is an Opportunities Feed assessment, not an official UNICEF competitiveness rating.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting Your Location Preference
UNICEF specifically asks candidates to indicate their preferred location, if any, in their cover letter.
Assuming You Need Professional Legal Experience
You don’t.
UNICEF explicitly states that professional legal experience is not required.
Submitting a Generic Cover Letter
Your application should explain why your legal background connects with UNICEF’s work.
Listing Legal Skills Without Evidence
Don’t simply write:
Legal research, drafting, analysis.
Show where you developed those capabilities.
Ignoring Language Skills
English is mandatory, while Spanish is desirable and other official UN languages can be assets.
Paying Someone Who Claims They Can Secure the Internship
UNICEF explicitly states that it does not charge processing fees at any stage of recruitment, selection or hiring and will not ask applicants for bank account information during recruitment.
What Happens After Applying?
UNICEF states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Selected candidates are also subject to reference and background checks.
These checks can include verification of:
- Academic credentials
- Employment history
Additional information may be requested where necessary for background checks.
Application Deadline
The vacancy was advertised on:
31 August 2026
Applications close:
13 September 2026 — Eastern Daylight Time.
Applicants should submit ahead of the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UNICEF Legal Internships are available?
UNICEF is recruiting two legal interns, with placements in New York and Copenhagen.
How long is the internship?
The vacancy states that the internships are six months.
Where are the internships located?
The opportunities are with UNICEF’s Legal Team in New York, United States, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
Can undergraduate law students apply?
Yes, if they are enrolled in the final academic year of their first university degree programme in law.
Can LL.M. students apply?
Yes. Applicants enrolled in graduate law programmes such as an LL.M., J.D. or equivalent can qualify.
Can recent law graduates apply?
Yes, provided they graduated from an eligible programme within the past two years.
Do I need previous professional legal experience?
No. UNICEF explicitly states that no professional legal experience is required.
Is English required?
Yes. Fluency in English is required.
Is Spanish required?
No. Spanish is described as desirable, rather than mandatory.
Can I choose between New York and Copenhagen?
UNICEF asks applicants to indicate their preferred location, if any, in their cover letter.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on 13 September 2026, Eastern Daylight Time.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The UNICEF Legal Internships in New York and Copenhagen are particularly strong opportunities for law students and recent graduates seeking their first substantial exposure to legal work within the United Nations system.
The biggest advantage is accessibility at the early-career level. UNICEF explicitly states that no professional legal experience is required, while graduate law students, final-year first-degree law students and eligible graduates from the previous two years can qualify.
The professional exposure is another major strength. Selected interns can contribute to legal research, memoranda, briefing notes, legal and policy analysis, meetings and knowledge-management work while receiving regular guidance and feedback from UNICEF’s Legal Team.
The biggest limitation is competition. There are only two advertised internships, so applicants should make their legal research, analytical and drafting capabilities clear rather than relying solely on the reputation of their university or degree.
For a law student or recent law graduate interested in international organizations, international law, public law, commercial law or institutional legal practice, this is an opportunity worth serious consideration.
Application deadline: 13 September 2026, Eastern Daylight Time.
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