The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is accepting applications for its 2026 Internship Programme — open to current students and recent graduates worldwide across multiple duty stations. The deadline is 30 June 2026. Internships run for 2–6 months and can be in-person or remote depending on the hosting division.
This is one of the most globally inclusive UN internship programmes currently open — specifically encouraging applications from women, people living with HIV, and nationals of non- and under-represented UN member states.
About UNAIDS
UNAIDS leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. The organisation unites the efforts of 11 UN agencies — UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, and the World Bank — working towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNAIDS operates across multiple duty stations globally and places interns across its technical, policy, communications, data, finance, and programme divisions.
About the Internship Programme
The UNAIDS Internship Programme is designed to give students and recent graduates practical exposure to UN-level work on one of the world’s most significant public health and human rights challenges. Interns are placed within specific UNAIDS divisions and work alongside international professionals contributing to the organisation’s global HIV response mandate.
The programme actively encourages gender parity and the widest possible geographic and socioeconomic diversity among its intern cohort.
Key Responsibilities
Specific duties vary by hosting division and duty station. Across all placements, interns are expected to:
- Work effectively in teams and support team objectives cooperatively
- Produce clear correspondence, written reports, and presentations
- Apply their academic knowledge and skills directly to assigned tasks
- Show initiative, manage their time effectively, and deliver results aligned with agreed objectives
- Bring innovative thinking to their work while maintaining strong service orientation
- Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and use organisational resources responsibly
Eligibility Requirements
All of the following must be met:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degree programme at a recognised educational institution OR have completed and been awarded such a degree within the past 12 months
- Recent graduates are expected to start the internship within 12 months of graduation
- Minimum age of 20 years at the date of application
- Working knowledge — oral and written — of at least one UNAIDS official language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish
Ineligibility conditions:
- Persons with immediate family members employed by the UNAIDS Secretariat (parent, sibling, or child) are not eligible
- Candidates who have previously participated in a UNAIDS internship are not eligible to apply again
UNAIDS specifically welcomes applications from:
- People living with HIV
- Women
- Nationals of non- and under-represented UN member states
- Persons with disabilities
UNAIDS is unequivocal that HIV status does not constitute a lack of fitness to work — there is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information at any stage.
For students and recent graduates building careers in global health, human rights, or international development, the UNDP careers portal and WHO careers page offer complementary internship and junior professional opportunities alongside UNAIDS that are worth tracking simultaneously.
Salary, Contract & Location Details
Compensation
Salary and stipend details are not specified in this listing — UNAIDS internship compensation varies by duty station and is governed by WHO/UNAIDS internship policies. Confirm stipend availability and amount directly through the UNAIDS e-Recruitment portal or with the hosting division at offer stage.
Contract Duration
2 to 6 months — exact duration depends on the welcoming division’s needs and project timelines.
Modality
In-person or remote — determined by the specific hiring division. Both options are available across the 2026 cohort.
Duty Stations
Multiple duty stations globally — including Geneva (headquarters), regional offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. Specific locations are assigned based on divisional needs and your profile.
Language
At least one UNAIDS official language required. English is the most widely used working language across divisions.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
30 June 2026 — 58 days remaining from the posting date. Apply early — shortlisting happens on a rolling basis throughout the open period.
How to Submit
Apply exclusively through the UNAIDS official e-Recruitment portal:
The portal provides full instructions for the online application procedure. All applications must be submitted online — no email or hard copy submissions are accepted.
Vacancy reference: UNAIDS/26/ISHIP1
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This application constitutes an expression of interest — it does not guarantee an internship offer.
UNAIDS does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Tips for a Strong UNAIDS Internship Application
Align your academic background with UNAIDS’s thematic areas. The strongest applications connect the candidate’s studies to HIV prevention, public health policy, gender equality, human rights, data and epidemiology, communications, or international development. Name the connection explicitly — don’t assume the screener will draw it for you.
Specify your language proficiency accurately. UNAIDS operates in six official languages — if you’re applying for a Francophone Africa posting, French proficiency will significantly strengthen your placement prospects.
Indicate location flexibility. Candidates open to multiple duty stations have a higher chance of placement. If you’re willing to work remotely or in-person across different regions, state that clearly in your application.
Recent graduates: act quickly. The 12-month post-graduation window is a hard rule. If you graduated in 2025, your eligibility window closes in 2026 — don’t let this deadline pass.
About UNAIDS
UNAIDS is an innovative United Nations partnership co-sponsored by 11 UN agencies and working with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNAIDS is committed to providing a work environment that respects the inherent dignity of all persons and maintains zero tolerance towards abusive conduct. The organisation actively promotes equity of access to employment for persons with disabilities and is committed to building a diverse, skilled, and representative workforce.
Learn more at www.unaids.org.
