12 Early Career Opportunities in International Organisations

Many early career professionals want to pursue a career in international organisations. You can help promote global collaboration on major issues from climate change to world hunger. Whether you’re interested in environmental sustainability, economic development, or humanitarian work, there’s a wide range of early career opportunities across various international organisations. This article will unpack 12 opportunities - what the opportunity is, why you may want to apply, who can apply, and how to apply.

UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program

The UN JPO Program is a one to two-year program run by the UN and other multilateral organisations, and funded by UN donor countries. JPOs work in a UN specialised agency or multilateral organisation, across the world. Depending on the placement, JPOs often work on projects related to peacekeeping operations, sustainable development goals, or humanitarian assistance. You may want to apply for this program to gain technical experience working in the UN system and to make a positive impact on an issue you care about. Eligible Australian applicants must be Australian citizens, permanent Australian (Federal) Public Service (APS) employees, be no more than 34 years old, and meet specific qualification and experience requirements. Applications are recurring.  

Learn more about the JPO program in Australia here.

INTERPOL Internship Programme

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) internship programme is a paid six to 11-month internship in the international organisation that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. If you are interested in security and crime matters then you may want to consider internships in INTERPOL’s policing services. INTERPOL also offers internships in support services, from communications and strategic planning to human resources. Internships are usually based in the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, but there are some opportunities in other duty stations, across the world. To do an internship at INTERPOL, you must be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a post-secondary accredited academic institution within the past year, be a national of an INTERPOL member country (such as Australia), have obtained the legal age of majority, be fluent in English, and met other requirements indicated for each specific internship. Applications are reoccurring. 

Learn more about the INTERPOL internship programme here. 

World Bank Group Young Professionals Programme

The World Bank Group Young Professionals Programme is an opportunity for young professionals to join the World Bank Group as Technical Specialists, Economists, or Associate Investment Officers on an initial five-year term contract. Young professionals will work in the World Bank Group’s institutions - the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, the International Finance Corporation, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, and the International Centre for Settlements of Investment Disputes. You may want to apply if you care about promoting international development to eliminate poverty on a liveable planet. Eligible applicants are under 32 years of age, a national of a World Bank Group member country (such as Australia), and fluent in English, and possess over four years of full-time work experience, and a masters-level degree. Applications are annual and are open in September. 

Learn more about the World Bank Young Professionals Programme here.

IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) is a scholarship to study towards a master’s degree in nuclear related subjects, as well as internship opportunities facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) for up to twelve months. Named after pioneer physicist and twice Nobel Prize laureate Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the Programme aims to inspire and encourage young women to pursue a career in the nuclear field. You may want to apply for the MSCFP if you aspire to study in nuclear related fields relevant to the IAEA’s work to advance the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology such as nuclear engineering, nuclear physics and chemistry, nuclear medicine, isotopic techniques, radiation biology, nuclear safety, nuclear security, non-proliferation and nuclear law. The programme is open to students from IAEA Member States (such as Australia) who are female and are accepted by or enrolled in an accredited university in a master's programme in a nuclear related field. Applications are annual and are open in September.

Learn more about the MSCFP here.

ADB Young Professionals Program

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a three-year program aimed at attracting highly qualified and motivated individuals to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Young Professionals spend 18 months at the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and then rotate through other areas within ADB. This program may be for you if you want to promote a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Eligible applicants must be less than 32 years old, be a national of an ADB member (such as Australia), hold a university degree, and have at least three years of relevant professional experience. Applications are annual and usually are open from September to October. 

Learn more about the ADB YPP Program here.

OECD Young Associates Program

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Young Associates Program (YAP) is a two-year program to gain professional experience in multilateral policy making, research and economic analysis. Young associates work in a directorate or special body of the OECD in Paris, France. This program is recommended for you if you want to inform and advance economic policy debate, bring stakeholders together to drive progress in different policy areas, or set international standards to level the playing field. Eligible applicants must have recently obtained or will soon obtain a Bachelor degree, be from an OECD member country (such as Australia), demonstrate academic excellence, and be fluent in English or French. Applications are annual and typically open from November to December. 

Learn more about the OECD YAP here.

WTO Young Professionals Programme

The World Trade Organization’s Young Professionals Programme is an opportunity for qualified young professionals to enhance their understanding of the WTO and capabilities in tackling international trade issues. Selected young professionals work in the WTO Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. You may want to apply for this programme if you are interested in negotiating international trade agreements, implementing and monitoring agreements, settling trade disputes or building trade capacity. Eligible candidates must be a national of a WTO member state, have an advanced degree in law, economic and other trade-related issues, possess a minimum two years’ relevant experience, be fluent in English, and be 32 years of age or younger. Applications are annual and are usually open from March to April. 

Learn more about the WTO Young Professionals Programme here.

UNEP UNV Young Talent Pipeline

The Young Talent Pipeline is a one-year program to attract young talented future leaders across environment, pollution, and climate action to the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Volunteers (UNV). Successful candidates are based in UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. You may want to pursue this opportunity if you are interested in helping countries transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient economies, strengthen environmental governance and law, safeguard ecosystems, or provide evidence-based data to inform policy decisions. Candidates are required to be 33 years of age or younger, and possess academic degrees in relevant areas along with three years of professional experience. Applications are annual and are open from June to August.

Learn more about the UNEP UNV Young Talent Pipeline here. 

UNESCO Young Professionals Programme

The UNESCO Young Professional Programme is a recruitment initiative aiming to improve the geographical representation, promote gender parity in the Organization at international level. Young professionals join UNESCO and work either in the headquarters based in Paris, France, or one of the 53 Field Offices and Institutes worldwide. If you are passionate about promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture, then this may be the programme for you. Applicants must be from non and under-represented Member States, be less than 32 years old, fluent in English, and hold an advanced university degree. Applications are biennial and the launch date varies from year to year. 

Learn more about the UNESCO Young Professionals Programme here. 

IMF Youth Fellowship Program

The International Monetary Fund’s Youth Fellowship Program is a fully-funded fellowship during the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund. Participants engage in workshops led by IMF leaders, experts, and external specialists. The program is ideal for young game-changers passionate about building resilient and inclusive growth and serves as a strong foundation for future roles in global financial institutions, government, or academia. Eligible applicants must be a citizen of an IMF member country (such as Australia), be between 20 and 30 years of age, and have graduated from or be currently enrolled in international relations and development, communications, economics, or related fields. The application dates are not specified, so keep an eye out.

Learn more about the IMF Youth Fellowship Program here. 

WWF Young Adult Volunteer & Internship Programme

The World Wildlife Fund’s Young Adult Volunteer and Internship Programme is a three to six months volunteer/internship experience working with the WWF across Africa, the Pacific and South America. Participants will work on conservation initiatives on the ground, in the field, protecting endangered species, preserving natural habitats, and promoting sustainable living practices. You may want to apply if you relate to the WWF’s mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. Applicants should be committed to conservation, able to work in changing situations, respectful of cross-cultural situations, take direction from supervisors, work collaboratively, and demonstrate a willingness to learn continuously. The application dates are not specified, so keep an eye out.

Learn more about the WWF Young Adult Volunteer and Internship Programme here. 

International Committee of the Red Cross Graduate Program

The International Committee of the Red Cross Graduate Program is an opportunity to develop your expertise and benefit from an enriching professional experience in a leading humanitarian organisation. This opportunity may suit you if you are passionate about developing and promoting international humanitarian law. For up to 12 months in Geneva, Switzerland, you will join one of the ICRC departments - International Law and Policy, Communication and Information Management, Operations, Financial Resources and Logistics, and Human Resources - and work in fields of research, evaluation, analysis and/or writing. Eligible applicants are recent graduates and have no more than one year of professional experience since graduation or two years if you have been in previous traineeships. The application dates are not specified, so keep an eye out.

Learn more about the International Committee of the Red Cross Graduate Program here.