CID Global Internship Program

1. International Development Workshop: Each year the program starts with an International Development Workshop taught by CID faculty and/or staff. The aim is to provide students with a fundamental toolkit of analytical and practical skills for international development, providing an overview of some current research questions for development economics and how the faculty approach these questions. Students learn about key current issues in international development and how to work with policy actors internationally. Students will also have a chance to meet their fellow interns, and build a cohort amongst themselves, forming a community we will cultivate throughout the internships. The workshop will take place May 1, 2026 at HKS.
2. International Internship: CID connects with the host organization prior to matching interns to understand internship needs and ensure consistent standards. Together, CID and the host organizations draft internship descriptions to guide students and help with matchmaking. Students will have a field supervisor to help them use the tools learned in the workshop and connect with others in their summer internship cohort as they develop their interests and expertise in international development.  

1. Social Media Content: Interns will submit one social media post for CID’s Twitter and LinkedIn by July 15, 2026. In addition to the written text for the posts, interns should include a photo or short video that can be shared publicly. Interns will include all recommended tagging and hashtags. See a social media post from summer 2025 here.
2. Blog: Interns will submit a first-person narrative blog post by August 31, 2026, describing their experience. The blog should contain at least two photos and should focus on the impact of the summer work, a specific impactful challenge or moment, or how this experience will inform future studies and career. The blog post can be used on the CID website and promoted on CID’s social media channels. If students cannot share their work publicly, please let us know. The blog should not be longer than 750-1,000 words. See a blog from summer 2025 here.  
3. A Collection of High-Resolution Photos: Along with the blog, interns will submit 5-10 high-resolution photos of their internship that CID can use to share their work with supporters and future participants by August 31, 2026. 

To apply, Harvard undergraduate students should submit an application through Carat here, including a resume, personal statement, and academic transcript. Undergraduate applicants will be asked to rank their preferred internships from the opportunities listed below for undergraduates. 

To apply, Harvard graduate students should submit an application through the Qualtrics form here, including a resume, personal statement, and academic transcript. Graduate students may apply directly to specific opportunities through the Qualtrics form for any opportunities listed below that are open to graduate students.

The deadline to apply is February 4, 2026. 

Undergraduate internships will be funded by the Harvard College Summer Funding Opportunities Office (SFO). Students can only accept funding from one Harvard-funded opportunity per summer. Please review the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy. 

Graduate internships (MA/PhD) are generally unfunded unless otherwise noted. Students are encouraged to apply for funding through their school (Example: HKS, HDS, HSPH, etc). 

Students may need to complete pre-departure requirements set forth by Harvard and may also have to complete additional documentation required by your host organization.   

Students will be responsible for booking their own travel and accommodations, as well as obtaining the necessary visa for travel. CID will be able to answer questions about this process.   

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  1-2 (graduate students) 
Dates: minimum 8 weeks 
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Preferred Qualifications: Excellent English language and communication skills especially using email; knowledge in the sector is not required (as research work will be produced by experts), only an interest in the topic. Major in economics, urban planning/development, or public policy.

In your personal statement please include: General interest in issues related to the economic and financial development in Asia and the Pacific.

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

ADBI is the Tokyo-based think tank of the Asian Development Bank, which supports a multilateral development bank for Asia and the Pacific. ADBI conducts evidence-based policy research and capacity building and training programs for eliminating poverty and promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across the region.

ADBI conducts high-level research on issues with strategic implications for development thinking and policy making in Asia and the Pacific.

Research activities include hosting presentations by distinguished experts, organizing regional and international seminars and conferences to contribute to the development policy debate, and publishing books and papers that help to identify effective development strategies and improve the capacity for sound development in the region.

Selected topics are based on ADBI’s priority sectors and themes, and inputs from regional policy makers and partners.

Internship Responsibilities

• Philanthropy: Planned publications (i.e., policy brief and book project) regarding the role of philanthropy in advancing the SDGs will require desk research and interviewing resource persons who were present in the previous roundtable. Additional event support such as support development of the agenda, desk research, and creation of event materials of the upcoming roundtable is requested as well.

• HAM: Planned publication (policy brief) on Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) in water and sanitation infrastructure will require summarizing discussions and conducting desk research especially on the operation and maintenance, technological, and policy challenges in implementing HAM.

• Women in Transport: This work will specifically examine how gender dynamics shape sustainable mobility choices, leveraging rigorous survey methodologies, and comparative policy analysis.  The research will investigate: (i) how gender shapes mobility behaviors and preferences under sustainable transportation policies in Asia; (ii) differences in adoption of active mobility, shared mobility, emerging technologies, public transportation, and online shopping; and (iii) clarify how men and women respond to sustainable transport options and climate issues.

Intern Responsibilities:

• Conducting literature review and summarizing key takeaways. Editorial work on literature, if needed
• Organization of conference/workshop, if timing works.

ADBI staff will likely continue the work from home arrangement (working in office three days a week), and therefore, students will only need to come to the ADBI offices as needed, maybe once or twice a week depending on agreement and discussion with the supervisor.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 6-10 (undergraduate or graduate students)
Dates: minimum of 8 weeks, between June and August
Location: Bengaluru, India
Preferred Qualifications: We welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds who are interested in education, learning, and social impact. Interns should be curious, reflective, and open to learning from real classroom settings. The ability to observe, ask thoughtful questions, analyse experiences, and document insights clearly will be valuable. Knowledge of any one Indian language may be an advantage, though it is not essential.

In your personal statement, please describe: 1. Have you had any teaching, mentoring, or learning facilitation experience, either formally or informally? 2. Have you designed or contributed to any teaching–learning materials or learning activities for school-aged children? 3. Have you had exposure to, or experience working with, children from remote areas or economically disadvantaged backgrounds? What did you learn from this experience? 4. What are your thoughts on how curiosity, creativity, and confidence can be encouraged in classroom learning? 5. How do you approach learning or problem-solving when there is no clear answer or fixed structure? 6. Are you interested in understanding how learning outcomes such as curiosity or confidence can be observed or evaluated in real classroom settings? If yes, why?

Open to Harvard undergraduates and graduate students

Organization Description

With a mission to spark curiosity, nurture creativity and instill confidence and care amongst economically underprivileged children, Agastya runs the largest immersive experiential learning programs.

Founded in April 1999,  Agastya International Foundation is a charitable education trust that runs one of the world's largest mobile hands-on science education programs for economically disadvantaged children and teachers. Through all its programs, Agastya has reached over 25 million children and 3,00,000 teachers in 24 states across India. By making practical, hands-on science education accessible to rural government schools, Agastya aims to transform the thinking of underprivileged children and teachers through its innovative and diverse programs which focus on STEAM related immersive learnings for children and teachers.

Agastya envisions a world of creators, tinkerers, solution seekers and leaders who are humane, anchored and connected.

Internship Responsibilities

Summer internship projects are still evolving. However, in response to current trends in education, this year we are exploring the following three directional ideas

1. Game-Based Pedagogy Aligned to School Curriculum to Promote Curiosity, Creativity and Conceptual Understanding

This project will focus on designing and studying game-based pedagogical approaches aligned to the school curriculum (Grade 6 and above). Interns will design and explore how structured games can be used as learning tools to support conceptual understanding, encourage exploration and reasoning, and build learner confidence during classroom sessions.

2. Research-Based Pedagogy as a Classroom Tool for Promoting Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence and building a Research Mindset

This project will focus on designing a research-oriented pedagogy that strengthens Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence through inquiry, questioning, observation, evidence gathering, and reflection. Interns will design a program with these research behaviors and try it out at classroom.

3. Designing an Evaluation Tool to Measure the Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence and Care (as an outcome) in Actual Classroom Sessions

This project will focus on developing an evaluation framework to study how Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence, and Caring manifest during live learning sessions. Interns will work on identifying observable indicators and designing practical tools to support systematic observation and reflection, including self-reflection where appropriate.

Additional project areas may be introduced as the work evolves.

Interns will work closely with the Agastya field team to explore the identified project areas and refine their scope during the internship period. By the end of the internship, interns are expected to clearly identify, agree upon, and submit their key deliverables. These may include research insights, pedagogical frameworks, tools, or documentation emerging from their work.

The outcomes of the internship are expected to provide meaningful inputs that can help strengthen, improve, or enhance existing programs, or inform the design of new program elements.

Agastya has an open work environment. The internship will involve a mix of field-based exposure and desk-based work, including classroom observations, discussions with Ignators (Agastya Teachers), and reflective analysis. Interns will have opportunities to interact regularly with team members, participate in review meetings, and share their ideas and findings.  

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  1 (graduate or undergraduate student)
Dates: prefer 12 weeks starting in May or June
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Preferred Qualifications: Third-year or fourth year undergraduate returning to Harvard in the fall or graduate student with at least one prior internship experience; Ability to work successfully as part of a team within a fast-paced, flat, start-up organizational structure; An intellectual interest or coursework in the Asia Pacific, public policy, or governance; long-term interest in working in the Asia Pacific preferred; Demonstrated excellence in writing and communication skills in English, preferably also in Mandarin Chinese; Coursework in international affairs, political science, economics, East Asian studies, or another field in the social sciences or humanities; Creativity, flexibility, and strategic thinking; 

Please provide two writing samples in English (and Chinese if applicable) with your application.

Open to Harvard graduate or undergraduate students

Organization Description

CAPRI is a Taipei-based nongovernmental, nonpartisan organization that was established in 2022 to enhance global resilience and promote innovative policy by drawing on the experience of the Asia-Pacific region through comparative public policy research. CAPRI’s research is meant to provide informed and insightful policy analysis to governments, academic and business leaders, the media, civil society organizations, and the informed public. CAPRI is funded by some of Taiwan’s leading corporations and philanthropists. Its board of directors includes policy analysts as well as corporate and civic leaders from Europe, Taiwan, and the United States. CAPRI’s founder and chair Professor Syaru Shirley Lin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs, is a faculty member at the University of Virginia, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and National Chengchi University in Taiwan. CAPRI’s work is also guided by an International Advisory Council chaired by Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Internship Responsibilities

CAPRI is looking for a student committed to driving policy impact and interdisciplinary dialogue in the Asia Pacific. As part of CAPRI, the intern will take on administrative, project coordination, communications and social media, and research support duties in accordance with CAPRI’s partnerships, research agenda, and operational needs. The intern will have opportunities to organize and attend various talks and discussions with experts on fields related to CAPRI’s interests and will join CAPRI’s team of globally minded individuals in developing and promoting Asia-Pacific perspectives on public policy and governance.

In addition to the above tasks, the intern’s main project will be an interview with an influential individual or thought leader on Asia-Pacific policy. The student will select the interviewee, design the interview questions, conduct the interview, and write a piece based on the interview to be published on CAPRI’s website.

The intern will:

• Work with a small team to carry out operational and administrative tasks
• Support the work of the research team in coordinating projects and conducting research
• Search for and summarize current events, news, and literature relevant to CAPRI’s research and convening
• Monitor and create content for CAPRI’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts
• Assist CAPRI staff with the planning and logistics of independent and joint events

All full-time staff, fellows, and interns work in our Taipei office five days a week from 9am to 6pm, with 1 hour for lunch. Since the office is a collaborative environment, interns will interact and work with all members of our team. CAPRI hosts a number of guests in closed-door discussions and public events with partner organizations that the intern will be able to engage with.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  3 (Graduate or PhD students)  *this internship may come with funding 
Dates: minimum 8 weeks 
Location: Atlanta, Ga (or remote location in the US)
Preferred Qualifications: Graduate students, PhD candidate strongly preferred. Alternatively, at least 1 year of Master of Public Health or Master of Development Practice education. Desired Technical Skills: Microsoft Office, database management, data analysis; Preference for experience with SharePoint; Preference for curious mind and laser sharp attention to detail. Language Skills: In addition to English, Spanish, or French preferred. Computer Skills: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word Press, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, and Dedoose

In your personal statement, please include: How do you approach bringing a variety of data from different data sources and methodologies together to provide insights into complex problems in the world? How do handle questions where the answers—and even the paths to finding an answer—are not already laid out?

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

CARE supports a range of programs globally in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.  More than 1,033 programs in 100 countries implement CARE programs in the technical areas of Food and Nutrition, Health, Water, Women and Girls, Education, Climate Change, Economic Growth, and Humanitarian Response. We are looking for an intern to help with the exciting work of synthesizing the best of our learning and program work to continuously improve CARE’s programming, impact, and advocacy.

Internship Responsibilities

The Knowledge Management and Learning functional area includes synthesizing and compiling documentation and learning from across the network on key priority areas. It also involves supporting and maintaining our key online learning platforms to ensure that our content is curated and readily accessible to others.

Key focus areas for summer 2026 include:

1. Supporting our ongoing thought leadership work, particularly on pieces related to localization, health systems, and food security.
2. Doing robust data analysis, including regressions, data modelling, and verifying data quality, on both CARE and publicly available datasets. This includes leading analysis of data from CARE’s partnership with Gallup World Poll (i.e.: from the World Bank or the UN)
3. Assisting with our external engagement work as CARE aims to ramp up our presence in critical communities of influential practitioners.
4. Supporting and maintaining our knowledge management and learning systems, including CARE’s evaluation library, our CARE Shares content, and our collaborations and communities of practice

Exact projects will be determined based on candidate skills and interest areas. We will do our best to match students to projects that are of interest to them and their academic work and professional growth. Potential projects include:

• Research on financial inclusion: helping analyze large datasets of behavior from savings groups and women who receive microloans to understand more about what works for different profiles of women, and how to best target support for savers and borrowers.
• Research on resilient agriculture: working with our climate teams to do more research on regenerative agriculture, food loss and waste, and what is most needed to deliver better results for small scale farmers.
• World Poll: CARE is partnering with Gallup World Poll to do targeted research in 6 countries, and we are looking for a skilled data analyst to analyze key trends, identify insights, and help us determine what stories we can tell from the data to inform our overall thought leadership work.
• Cost effectiveness analysis: CARE has recently set up an economic evaluation unit to help us broadly improve our cost effectiveness across the entire portfolio so we can deliver more impact for the resources available. There are several projects in our food, humanitarian, and health portfolios that are ripe for broader analysis and publication on what programming is most cost effective and how to improve those results for our program participants.

1. Data-driven reports that provide new statistical insights into key questions on health workers, climate change, food security, and gender equality. Building statistical data models for our flagship reports (such as: https://www.care.org/news-and-stories/resources/growth-is-not-enough/)
2. Building and maintaining key knowledge management platforms, including regular updates of content on our existing CARE platforms
3. Creating project briefs based on program evaluations and existing technical content
4. Supporting summaries of existing evidence and best practices; researching stats for talking points and presentations
5. Creating key knowledge products such as reports, social media posts, websites, and position papers.
6. Assist with other assigned duties as assigned

Availability of office resources depends on working arrangements that are necessary (in-person versus remote). Access to workspace, email account, office supplies, and access to printer.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students) 
Dates: 12 weeks preferred, early to mid May start if possible 
Location:  Kampala, Uganda
Preferred Qualifications: 1. Data Analysis & Causal Inference - Quantitative Analysis, Empirical Methods and Analytic Frameworks; 2. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) - Learning from Evidence in Indirect Settings and Operations Management; 3. Entrepreneurial Ecosystems - Economic Development: Theory and Evidence; 4. Digital Transformation (IT Skills); 5. Interpersonal & Strategic Communication

In your personal statement, please note the following: Interest in working with Rural Communities; Experience/Interest in working with Businesses in the Informal Economy; Demonstrate Strong Data analysis Skills

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Enterprise Uganda is one of the 34 Empretec Centres operating in Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America to promote development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and corporate institutions as the main vehicle for expanding production, providing sustainable jobs and enhancing economic growth in the host countries. Enterprise Uganda’s entrepreneurship and business development services delivery philosophy is based on United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s Empretec Program Model, which is designed as one-stop program providing an integrated and comprehensive range of business support services for MSMEs and corporate organizations using a hands-on approach.

EUg has been active in various types of private sector development activities in Uganda since its establishment in 2001. To-date, over 200,000 MSMEs have benefited from Enterprise Uganda services including training, business advisory, mentoring, and business linkages services. As a result of these and other business support services, some of Enterprise Uganda’s clients are industry leaders in their respective sectors, winning highly coveted national, continental and global awards for quality, entrepreneurship and their role in poverty reduction.   

Internship Responsibilities

MSME Ecosystem Development (Women & Youth-led Enterprises)

As Uganda transitions into a lower-middle-income economy, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have become the primary engine of national growth—contributing approximately 75% of GDP and 90% of private sector production. This internship offers a unique opportunity to participate in a data analysis project assessing the efficacy of Business Development Services (BDS). You will analyze how targeted training interventions translate into measurable gains in productivity, digital adoption, and socio-economic resilience especially for women and youth entrepreneurs. Your work will intersect with the most critical themes currently shaping the African and Ugandan entrepreneurial landscape:

• The Gender Dividend: Moving beyond "micro-loans" to assessing high-value growth for women in sectors like Agri-business, Tourism, manufacturing and ICT.
• Digital Transformation: Evaluating how MSMEs are bridging the "digital divide" through mobile-first business management and e-commerce.
• Value Chain Integration: Analyzing how training helps local MSMEs graduate from subsistence operations to becoming national or regional players.
• Green Entrepreneurship: Investigating the "Just Transition" as small businesses adopt climate-smart practices.

The interns shall be embedded within the Enterprise Uganda Team. They shall work closely with other team members to collect data, make inquiries and sometimes support other ongoing assignments.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (graduate student) 
Dates: 8 weeks, preferred start date in July if possible but other dates available 
Location:  Barranquilla, Colombia (Headquarters), Cartagena, Colombia (Satellite office), Bogotá, Colombia (Satellite office) 
Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have experience working with diverse types of quantitative and qualitative data, including the ability to analyze, interpret and present findings effectively. Strong communication skills and the capacity to engage with local communities are essential for the success of this project, therefore knowledge of Spanish language is essential, as the intern will be directly interacting with community members and collaborating with Fundación´s Team. Given that the intern will be working within the Department of Habitat and Urban Development, we encourage applications from students with a background interest in Urban Development and marketing. Addressing urban challenges and contributing to inclusive, community-centered projects.

In your personal statement, please note the following: Fundación Santo Domingo´s Department of Habitat and Urban Development adopts a holistic approach, combining the construction of housing and public infrastructure with the implementation of diverse social programs. This integrated strategy aims to provide communities with a robust base for pursuing their life projects. Therefore, we would like to know:
1. What motivates you to work with vulnerable communities in Colombia, and how do you envision contributing to their development? 2. What skills and experiences will you bring to this role? Please include examples from relevant academic, professional, or international experiences. 3. In your view, how can marketing and communications influence urban development and attract investment in emerging communities?

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

The Fundación Santo Domingo leads high-impact projects for social transformation in the country through 4 main areas: education, health, and environment. With more than 200 employees and a wide spectrum of action, the Fundación Santo Domingo is one of the leading social institutions in Colombia. Along its 60 years history, the Fundación has implemented numerous social projects with a special focus in the Caribbean region and more specifically in the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena. It has also collaborated with the national government and led the introduction of substantial reforms in the sectors of education and environment. Besides its focus on education, health, and environment, the Fundación leads an innovative approach to Urban Development, in which the construction of housing and infrastructure is acompassed with the implementation of social programs that aim to provide a solid platform for people to thrive.

The Fundación Santo Domingo’s Department of Habitat and Urban Development focuses on designing and building sustainable urban environments that provide infrastructure and services that promote the communities’ social and economic prosperity. The Fundación leads the development of two masterplans in the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena, with the potential of building more than 60.000 homes and 740.000 m² of public space. Alongside of the construction of housing and public infrastructure, Fundación Santo Domingo implements numerous social programs with an emphasis on education, healthcare, environment, and community development. To date, the two masterplans are home to more than 45.000 people. Although these communities belong to low-income levels, in the masterplans they find a solid platform with guaranteed access to public services and quality infrastructure to develop their life projects. The Fundación also supports the consolidation of grassroots organizations promotes local economic development and employment opportunities for the masterplan’s residents.

Internship Responsibilities

Fundación Santo Domingo (FSD) is leading two of Colombia’s most ambitious urban development projects. Villas de San Pablo in Barranquilla and Ciudad del Bicentenario in Cartagena. These megaprojects aim to create inclusive, sustainable communities with thousands of homes, public spaces and social programs that foster economic growth and improve quality of life.

Despite the scale and impact of these developments, there is a critical need to increase visibility and engagement among potential residents, investors and stakeholders. Many opportunities remain underexposed in the market. A well-structured marketing strategy is essential to position these communities as vibrant hubs for living, commerce among other opportunities.

This is where the intern’s role becomes pivotal. By combining research, creative communications and strategic planning, the intern will help design and implement a marketing plan that not only promotes the project but also strengthens FSD’s mission of driving social transformation through urban development. Their contribution will directly influence how these communities are perceived and embraced by the public, unlocking new opportunities for growth and investment.

Phase 1: Data Collection and Analysis
-Collaborate with the FSD Department of Urban Development and Communications team to collect and analyze data from the FSD existing repositories, as well as public and private sources relevant to the development of infrastructure and equipment for masterplans.
-Organize and process data collected from various formats and tools, ensuring it is usable and actionable for the next phase of the project.
-Develop a derivable that includes:
o A comprehensive analysis of the collected data.
o Key insights and takeaway points that inform recommendations for improving existing marketing plan.
o Suggestions for more effective method of data collection and management to enhance future decision-making.

Phase 2: Community Engagement and Validation
-Engage directly with community on-site to validate and contrast analyzed data with the realities of the territories, ensuring alignment with actual needs and challenges.
-Participate in workshops and activities organized by FSD within the megaprojects to gain firsthand understanding of community dynamics and infrastructure usage.
-Collaborate with the FSD team to develop and innovative recommendations for enhancing current programs and ideating new approaches with a focus on exposure for a more accelerated development.
-Produce a detailed report summarizing community engagement findings, along with a presentation that includes:
o Recommendation to optimize the marketing program.
o Ideas for new projects aimed at addressing identified gaps and fostering megaproject prosperity.

The intern will collaborate closely with Fundación Santo Domingo´s Department of Habitat and Urban Development, a multidisciplinary team that includes architects, engineers, economists and social workers. Fundación´s headquarter is located in Barranquilla, a promissory city in the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where the intern will be based. Frequent visits to the satellite offices in the masterplans of Barranquilla and Cartagena will be required, ensuring direct engagement with ongoing projects. Additionally, if needed, the intern may attend meetings at Fundación´s offices in Bogota.

Throughout the internship, the intern will work closely with Fundación Team, who will provide continuous guidance and support for the development of this project. Participation in activities conducted within the masterplans will be integral to the role, enabling the intern to gain a deeper understanding of the community´s needs and challenges.

While supported by Fundación Santo Domingo´s team, the intern is expected to demonstrate autonomy and initiative in carrying out their responsibilities and contributing to project outcomes.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1-2 (graduate students) 
Dates: 8 weeks min, May to August 
Location:  Ankara, Turkiye
Preferred Qualifications: University degree in economics, agriculture economics, public policy or related fields (including but not limited to sociology, international relations); Previous professional work experience, research expertise and coursework related to the description of tasks; Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Russian preferred.

In your personal statement, please note the following: How can agrifood systems be transformed to promote better social, health and economic outcomes? What concrete research tools, policy skills and methodologies will you be employing to support FAO’s work? 

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides analysis and advice in policy reform for agriculture, land tenure and natural resources. The Organization’s technical assistance covers institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

Internship Responsibilities

The intern will accomplish the following tasks during their time at the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (FAOSEC):

• Develop agrifood systems profiles for the member countries of FAOSEC (including, but not limited, to a focus on natural resources – land management, forestry, water –  climate change, food security, livestock and animal health, and crop production),
• Support the development of an interface document linking regional priorities with the operational projects,
• Develop investment cases for FAOSEC’s work for resource mobilization,
• Provide support to any other tasks assigned by the Senior Policy Officer.

The intern will accomplish the following tasks during their time at the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (FAOSEC):

• Support the Gender Focal Point and Alternate Focal Point in the implementation of the gender equality work plan for FAOSEC,
• Support the office in running trainings, workshops and technical events on gender,
• Support the gender stock tacking exercise in FAOSEC in close collaboration with the Gender Focal Point and Alternate Focal Point,
• Provide support to the drafting of technical
• Support the Food Security Officer and the Senior Policy Officer in the management of the Regional Nutrition Capacity Development and Partnership Platform in Central Asia and Caucasus (RNPP),
• Develop guidelines on integrating nutrition in FAOSEC’s climate change work (including through developing an assessment methodology),
• Provide support to any other tasks assigned by the Gender Focal Point, Alternate Focal Point, and the Senior Policy Officer. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 4 (undergraduate students)
Dates: 8 weeks, starting tentatively in July to August 2024
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Preferred Qualifications: Interns are expected to have a background in economics or a related subject. Skills in quantitative analysis are desirable. Soft skills such as being adaptable to new environments and being able to work in teams are also desirable.

In your personal statement, please describe an expression of interest in reasons behind your intention to work in Indonesia. This would be very helpful in order for IBER to understand which organization/institution and supervisor to assign to interns.

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

Launched on January 26, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia Bureau of Economic Research is a consortium of several faculties of economics and business of top Indonesian state universities and research centers. Inspired by a view of a platform of economist research network for Indonesia, IBER wishes to support quality research in economics for publication in national and international journals by providing intellectual input through high-level professional engagement; building capacity for younger economists; and building a platform to contribute to evidence- based public analysis of key issues for Indonesia and objective policy input.

Internship Responsibilities:

We aim to match interns to projects that fit their interests. Within our internship interview we will assess which areas of research and policy interns are specifically drawn too. We will then contact our consortium members to inform them of these interests and assign supervisors whose work best matches these interests. Supervisors will be professors and senior researchers based within universities and think tanks that are members of our consortium.

Past intern projects include : The role of Shariah Finance in Indonesia, understanding the impact of mining on heavy metal exposure in Indonesia's nickel producing areas, Program Keluarga Harapan and Social Protection in Indonesia, the use of digital satellite imaging in monitoring disaster impact.

Intern’s responsibilities:

• Committing to the internship for the full duration, a minimum of 8 weeks.
• Fulfilling the obligations of the internship to the best of their ability.
• Completing all internship-related requirements before, during, and after the internship.
• Completing a post-internship evaluation and feedback on the internship and internship program.

List of possible duties (will depend on particularly project intern will join when they are with us):

• Literature reviews on topics/ policies of interest.
• Statistical analysis of survey data (requires basic skills in statistical analysis, the use of statistical software such as Stata. Interns will be able to ask for guidance and advice from their supervisors on this).
• Possible interviews with stakeholders (if interns join a project with government stakeholder or community leaders, they might be required to join in interviews and/or FGDs).
• Writing up an internship report (this could be in short paper form, i.e., 1,500-2,000 words) or presented in a power point presentation.

The main deliverable for the internship would be the intern’s final report in the form of a power point presentation and an oral presentation with IBER Directors and their supervisors. This will be arranged at the end of their internship.

The IBER office is located in the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Salemba Campus, Jakarta, close to LPEM office and several Applied Masters programs. The main campus, at UI Depok, can be reached by train for about 30 minutes or by taxi for about 60-75 minutes.

The interns can get involved with the mentors and other research assistant at IBER as well as at the LPEM. They are also welcome to join certain classes and to get involved with workshop/seminars held in Salemba and/or Depok Campuses. We can also facilitate them if they want to visit IBER’s Partner Universities (If possible, depending on the conditions at the time).

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 3 (undergraduate student)
Dates: 12 weeks, June - August
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Preferred Qualifications: Be second or penultimate-year students across all degree backgrounds; Possess strong academic results - minimum CGPA of 3.0; Possess strong writing skills and fluent in English; Possess an interest in policy research and the multi-faceted causes and potential solutions to the issues tackled in this field; and Be able to demonstrate strength in qualitative and quantitative research, with an interest in sharpening their existing research competencies and learning other methodologies.

In your personal statement, please describe your interest in Malaysia and why you are choosing to intern at KRI.

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) is a public policy research institute dedicated to advancing evidence-based policy for a better Malaysia. Our core mission is to shed light on the nation’s most pressing economic, social, and structural issues that affect the daily lives of the rakyat (people).

By transforming rigorous research into policy recommendations and actionable insights, we aim to inform policies that strengthen Malaysian families, uplift communities, and drive inclusive national progress.

Internship Responsibilities

1. Project 1 (Dr Suraya): Policy research on developing sustainable infrastructure projects in developing countries-the case of mass transit in Greater Kuala Lumpur

• Project Description: There is undoubtedly a cost challenge in infrastructure development. The cost of delivering new and refurbished infrastructure assets is currently ‘too high’, but they are important in providing services that are essential for enabling growth. Infrastructure services are therefore foundational for the performance of the high-growth sectors in the economy, including the service-sector, inhabitants of capital cities. This project will investigate the three related costs challenges: a) the project shaping environment that led to the final investment decision, and b) performance of project delivery and c) the assets in operation

• Expected work by intern: Background research on the nature of public goods, investment goods; different models of feasibility and sustainability of infrastructure projects in developed and developing countries- (SEA region); service sectors and their link to capital cities. Assist the team in preparing position papers, policy briefs and stakeholder engagements.

2. Project 2 (Jan): Policy research on international trade issues and Malaysia

• Project Description: Two different work streams. The first work stream is to assist with the analysis of Trump tariffs. This is done by analyzing Malaysia’s imports and exports and analyzing the geopolitics of the Trump tariffs. The second works stream looks at the intersection between digital trade agreements and industrial policy for Malaysia. Ideally, this research also covers industrial policies supporting AI-related sectors.

• Expected work by intern: Background research on Trump tariffs and selected countries’ responses to these tariffs. Support the analyses of Malaysia’s imports and exports in recent years/months. Background research on digital trade agreements, industrial policy and AI policy with a focus on Malaysia.

3. Project 3 (Shao Loong): Policy research on semiconductor sector upgrading

• Project Description: The project is an industrial policy study looking at upgrading challenges in Malaysia’s semiconductor industry. We will assess the adequacy of the new generation of national policies against geopolitical policy developments and responses by competitor and leading countries. Theoretically, the study draws on approaches in modern Schumpeterian, heterodox economic thinking and geography, focused on regional innovation systems, non-traditional development pathways, and agglomeration. The implications of current US trade and investment policy will be considered.

• Expected work by intern: Background research on lead and competitor country policy trajectories (inter alia, Taiwan, US, China, Europe, Japan, Singapore, India). Data gathering and analysis.

To assist your supervisor or project team members in their research assignments and projects, which may include the following:
• Performing library research on specified topics;
• Tabulating and/or organising collected data into tables or graphs;
• Processing data from various sources of large data sets using statistical analysis software;
• Collecting and analysing data using standard statistical techniques such as multiple regression and factor analysis and providing assistance in the preparation of statistical reports and data presentations;
• Assist in the production of research reports, presentations, articles and other publications; and
• To undertake any other research-related duties that may be assigned to you.

KRI operates in an open-plan office, and interns sit together at a communal worktable. Interns may take up to two (2) optional work-from-home days per week, subject to work requirements.

Staff and interns interact regularly day-to-day, and we also hold a weekly all-hands meeting where everyone receives updates on ongoing research projects and other institute-wide matters—providing regular opportunities for interns to engage with colleagues across teams and with other interns.

Our office dress code is smart casual, and laptops will be provided to interns for the duration of their internship.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (undergraduate student)
Dates: 8 weeks, start in early June and end before August is preferable
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Preferred Qualifications: Education: Major in economics, public policy, or a closely related field including training in empirical research methods is required; Communication: Excellent writing skills; Languages: In addition to fluency in English, working proficiency in French is a strong plus; Experience and interest: Strong interest in international development or public/social policy demonstrated through coursework, study abroad, or previous internship experience; Openness: Excited to learn and enthusiastic about taking on a broad range of assignments.

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

The Morocco Innovation and Evaluation Lab (MEL) is a joint collaboration between the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Harvard Center for International Development (CID) that aims to foster development in Morocco by using scientific evidence to inform decisions, translating research into action.

To help decision makers find better solutions, MEL works closely with public, private, NGO, and philanthropic organizations in Morocco. We conduct research to understand what works and share our findings to inform decisions that improve people's lives.

The foundation of MEL’s research approach is the randomized evaluation: a methodology that randomly selects program and comparison groups, implements the program, and compares outcomes across groups to identify causal impacts.

Internship Responsibilities

The MEL is organising the J-PAL Flagship Training “Evaluating Social Programs” during the summer of 2026. The intern will have to support the organization of this event.

Specific tasks will likely include:
● Events: Support in the preparation and organisation of J-PAL's Evaluating Social Programs training (ESP).
● Communications: Assist in the drafting and dissemination of communications materials, including content for presentations and social media, particularly related to education research results.
● Policy writing: desk research and drafting of policy notes translating research into actionable insights for policymakers, with a focus on the policy sector employment as well as notes to approach newly elected or appointed partners after this year’s elections.
● Stakeholder engagement: Participate in initial conversations with prospective partners to identify promising opportunities for randomized evaluations or evidence dissemination activities. Support and attend convenings designed to bring policymakers, practitioners, and researchers together to spur new research or scale-up collaborations and share policy lessons from completed research.

The MEL team works in a hybrid format with three days a week in the office and two days remote work (from within Rabat). Interns will get to interact with the team and associates in a modern open office space.
The MEL office is located on a modern and dynamic university campus (UM6P) which offers access to a wide range of facilities including a cafeteria, gym, swimming pool as well as university-sponsored events (e.g. panel talks, seminars and lectures).

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students)
Dates: 8-12 weeks, preference to start in early June
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Preferred Qualifications: MMF seeks interns with strong analytical and communication skills and a demonstrated interest in international development, public policy, or social impact. Relevant academic backgrounds may include economics, public policy, international development, political science, sociology, education, public health, gender studies, or related social science fields. Experience with research and writing, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, or program and operations support is highly valued, whether gained through coursework, fieldwork, or prior internships. Desired characteristics include intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to work independently in dynamic, resource-constrained environments.

In your personal statement, please describe your understanding of and sensitivity to the cultural, social, and institutional context in which MMF operates, particularly within Nigeria and broader African settings, and how they approach working respectfully in diverse environments; your interest in working within a mission-driven, nonprofit organization and how they navigate ambiguity, resource constraints, and evolving priorities in social impact work; and your ability to communicate insights responsibly, including how they would represent MMF’s work within their academic, professional, and social networks.

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

The Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) is a Pan-African social impact institution based in Nigeria, working across education, humanitarian response, women’s economic empowerment, and institutional capacity building. Founded in 2001, MMF designs and delivers evidence-driven programs that address structural barriers facing marginalized and crisis-affected communities, with reach across all 36 states of Nigeria and growing regional partnerships across Africa.

MMF’s work combines field implementation with policy engagement, research translation, and systems strengthening to advance inclusive growth, gender equity, and resilient institutions. The Foundation’s current agenda emphasizes data-informed program design, disaster risk governance, safe and inclusive education systems, and credible social impact measurement. MMF provides interns with hands-on exposure to applied development work, bridging academic research and real-world practice in complex African development contexts.

Internship Responsibilities

MMF does not assign interns to a single fixed project in advance; projects are shaped by ongoing program priorities and the intern’s skills, and are designed to be substantive and applied. A typical project may involve applied research and analysis (such as desk reviews on education access, gender equity, or humanitarian governance; synthesis of field data into program and policy insights), monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) (including support for M&E frameworks, indicators, and learning briefs), and knowledge translation and communications (writing research summaries, impact reports, policy briefs, or digital content that bridges research and practice).
Interns may also support the operational planning and execution of MMF programs and convenings, including stakeholder engagement, program design support, logistics planning, and post-event learning documentation. Across all projects, interns work closely with MMF’s strategy and programs team.

Interns at MMF support both strategic and operational work across the Foundation’s programs. Anticipated duties include conducting desk research and literature reviews, synthesizing program and field data into clear insights, supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities, and contributing to program and event planning. Interns may also assist with stakeholder coordination, internal planning documents, and the preparation of materials for convenings, training, or cross-sector engagements. Work is closely supervised by MMF’s strategy and programs team and is designed to expose interns to real-world development operations in African contexts.
Typical deliverables may include research briefs or memos, draft M&E frameworks or indicator trackers, program concept notes, event run-of-show and post-event reports, policy or learning summaries, and communications outputs such as impact narratives or web-ready summaries. Depending on timing and priorities, interns may also support the documentation of lessons learned from MMF programs and events, translating operational experience into knowledge products that bridge research and practice.

MMF is a dynamic and inclusive hybrid model, reflecting a combination of remote support staff, on-the-ground field officers in program locations, and full-time staff working at our offices in Lagos and Abuja.

Interns will experience a blend of virtual and in-person engagement opportunities. We utilise various digital platforms, including WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Workspaces, and email, to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration. With the blend of physical workspace involvement, this virtual setup will ensure effective interaction with team members, regardless of location or work arrangement.

Interns can engage with and learn from every team member through collaborative sprints. This approach fosters teamwork, allowing interns to contribute to ongoing projects and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Additionally, there are plans for community involvement activities, providing interns with opportunities to connect with the broader community and witness the impact of our programs firsthand. Exposure to program partners across Nigeria will further enrich the internship experience, offering insights into diverse perspectives and approaches to addressing social challenges.

Overall, the MMF work environment is designed to provide interns with a comprehensive and interactive experience, blending remote and in-person engagement for a well-rounded internship journey.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 3 (undergraduate students)
Dates: 8-10 weeks
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Preferred Qualifications: Students should have taken courses and have advanced background in data science/data analytics/econometrics; Prior experience in working with big data/administrative data; Students should have good quantitative and analytical skills as well as good communication and writing skills; Students should be a team player, be able to work independently; Prior practical working experience as research assistant or data analyst would be a plus. 

In your personal statement, please include relevant skills and experiences you will bring or contribute to internship at PIER

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has founded the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER) to foster economic research, provide a centralized platform for disseminating high-quality research, and connect researchers with necessary resources. PIER is a quasi-independent institution governed by a board composed of senior BOT officials and distinguished external members.

PIER’s mission is to produce, coordinate, and maximize the impact of research as follows:

 Produce in-depth research and support BOT’s conduct of policy in the areas of economics and related fields.

Coordinate research and foster academic collaboration by strengthening research networks and pooling resources such as knowledge, data, seminars, and research funding together.

Disseminate research and synthesize key findings to the public to raise the prominence of research among policymakers and society at large.

Internship Responsibilities:

This year, PIER is developing a data platform centered on high-granularity administrative data to provide evidence-based policy insights. Interns will be assigned to one of four key projects:

1. The Price Project: Utilizing alternative data—such as supermarket pricing and delivery platform metrics—to construct near real-time inflation measures. This platform supports the central bank’s inflation-related policymaking.
2. Household Debt Tracker: Using account-level data from the National Credit Bureau (NCB) to monitor household debt trends, financial access, and the efficacy of debt relief programs.
3. Export Firm Atlas: Addressing current challenges like geopolitical risks and non-tariff barriers (e.g., CBAM). Interns will use granular customs data to build an atlas that helps the central bank monitor and mitigate the impacts of external shocks on Thai exporters.
4. Climate Risk Atlas: This initiative involves mapping climate risk data against firm-level exposure to assess environmental vulnerabilities within the private sector. This data is essential for "Climate Stress Testing." By mapping physical risks (like floods) and transition risks (like carbon taxes) to specific firms, the bank can assess the potential impact on the banking sector's loan portfolios.

Duties undertaken by the intern will be those expected of a research assistant namely: Analysis of data and development of data platform; Presentation of research/findings at weekly update sessions; Writing of short paper or final report based on the research findings.

The Puey Institute for Economic Research has a co-working area as well as individual desks where the student would be able to work and interact with other PIER colleagues.

The student will also be able to participate and see Bank of Thailand activities as the office is located on the Bank of Thailand premises. Other facilities include a canteen, fitness, badminton court, library, and coffee shops. The compound is located next to the Chaopraya River near the historic center of Bangkok. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students)
Dates: Flexible between late May/ early June to August, min 8 weeks
Location: Remote and/or Washington, D.C. (US Headquarters)
Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge management experience; Excellent attention to detail; Experience with inferential and descriptive statistics; Proficient in Stata or R; Interest in education programming and/or measuring child level learning outcomes; Professional proficiency in spoken and written English; Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams; Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging

 In your personal statement, please describe: How has your coursework and past experience led to your interest in working in global education? After reviewing the job description for this role, where do you believe you’d exhibit strength? What areas will be more of a learning opportunity for you?

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Save the Impact & Evidence (I&E) division is committed to ensuring evidence-based solutions address the underlying causes of marginalization and developing insights into the inhibiting factors for child protection. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) is a team of applied researchers and knowledge professionals that collaboratively generate and disseminate research across all sectors, including education, child protection, health, and livelihoods, that bridges the humanitarian and development nexus. We support program colleagues with evidence to inform high-quality programs. The evidence we generate and share drives thought leadership and advocacy globally. We are seeking an intern to support the MERL team to strengthen knowledge management systems, organize resources, and assist with data cleaning, analysis, and visualization for education and early learning projects, as well as support special initiatives based on the interns interests.

Internship Responsibilities:

Graduate interns will support knowledge management and data analysis for learning assessment and education projects, specifically supporting the International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA) and other measures. This includes organizing resources, improving data accessibility, and contributing to reporting and learning products.

Key Tasks:

• Organize and streamline knowledge resources across platforms for easy access.
• Assist with cleaning, validating, and analyzing datasets using statistical tools.
• Develop summaries, visualizations, and briefs to communicate key findings.

Deliverables:

• Improved resource organization and documentation.
• At least one data visualization or dashboard.
• A short knowledge product summarizing insights from project data.
• Recommendations for knowledge management strategy related to learning assessment data

Remote or DC-based. All interns will participate in the MERL Team’s weekly meetings and may join other meetings as they are interested. Interns will be supported in identifying staff for informational interviews and mentoring based on their interests.

• Meaningful work under the direct supervision of an experienced Save the Children staff member
• Highly collaborative and innovative team
• Flexible schedule
• Remote opportunity
• The knowledge that your internship is changing the lives of children all around the world

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students)
Dates: 8 weeks minimum
Location: Prishtine, Kosovo
Preferred Qualifications: Candidates should have taken courses in economic development and quant research at HKS. Also, knowledge of different data analysis programs, such as R or Python, is preferred. Good communication, attention to detail and technical skills, and critical thinking.

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

UBT was established in 2001. UBT has created a small-scale, entrepreneurial innovation-based ecosystem university in Kosovo with more than 150 accredited majors, 10,000 students, 1,000 staff, a science and technology park, research and development institutes, centers, entrepreneurship and innovation labs, various technology hubs, and spin-offs.

Since its establishment, UBT has consistently kept up with socioeconomic and technological trends and advancements, while also taking the lead on forward-thinking projects and solutions. As per the Augmented and Virtual Reality Platform, UBT has started two initiatives in virtual and augmented reality valued 30 million euros. All faculties (students and staff) can contribute to the platform's efforts to simplify and improve daily life in terms of research and study.

UBT is recognized for excellence and awarded by EFQM, a member of EUA, Positive IMPACT Rating: First Worldwide – Level 5 - Pioneer, 1st in Western Balkan THE Impact Ranking, 1st innovation price for technology in education / classroom 3.0.

UBT Research and Development Strategy, contains research activities that take in the institutional, departmental, and individual level.

These research activities are categorized into the following:

Applied Research: Using the ICT in Health Care System, Energy Efficiency, Managing Industrial/Enterprise Zones in Kosova, Media, City Planning, etc.

Opinion Research: Quality Product/Service Perception, FDI, Diaspora, etc.

Basic Research: Intelligent Systems, Robotics, Innovation, Transportation and Logistics, Complex Systems Design and Management

Education Research: University Management Models, University – Industry Cooperation's, Curriculums Developments, Learning Outcomes, Capacity Building and Quality Assurance, Knowledge Management, etc. 

Internship Responsibilities:

Project 1: Interactive platform to follow the development of UN SDG’s in Kosovo.

Project 2: Health Insurance System in Kosovo.

Project 3: Food security in Kosovo.

Project 4: Kosova National Innovation Ecosystem.   

During the internship, some of the duties that we plan to be undertaken by the intern include: Performing clerical tasks, conducting desktop research, and gathering and analyzing data. Analyzing and interpreting patterns and trends, field research, written reports, etc. We expect them to produce a final publishable paper. 

UBT has Campuses in different cities around Kosovo as well as hundreds of laboratories and offices space. Part of the work environment may also include fieldwork suitable for research. Engaging with other staff would be valuable to their experiences as they could exchange experience in the process. 

Funding: will provide the accommodation, a living stipend (amount TBD). $3250 expected to cover accommodation, transportation and food. Does not include flight costs.

Internship Details

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 

Internship Opportunities: check opportunities below (graduate or PhD students)
Dates: Preference for 12 weeks to enable time for interns to be fully onboarded, contribute meaningfully to the work of the Organization, and benefit from learning opportunities. The start date depends on the location and nature of the assignment. However, given the summer holiday period when many staff are on leave, it would be preferable to aim for a May /early June start date, to give interns the opportunity to meet as many colleagues as possible and settle in before staff start to go on leave. 
Location: Paris Headquarters, one of the UNESCO Regional offices, or a UNESCO field office.
Preferred Qualifications:  In addition to an excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English, another United Nations official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) may be a requirement depending on the location of the internship. Language requirements or preferences will be communicated based on the specificities of the proposed assignments. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the work of the United Nations, and of UNESCO in particular. Candidates should have an understanding of working in a highly multi-cultural environment. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with the four core values and abilities in the seven core competencies of the  UNESCO Competency Framework which articulates standards of behaviours and performance for the Organization. 

In your personal statement, please include: The elements that would be of most interest to UNESCO are the skills applicants will bring to the position and any examples of international or multi-cultural experience, in particular experience within the United Nations system.  Applicants may apply to as many internships as they wish listed below. Each application should clearly indicate the internship to which they are applying, and should be targeted to the tasks and objectives outlined in the Terms of Reference. We also request that applicants complete the simple application form at this link to allow for ease of identifying key information.

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. 

Internship Responsibilities:

There are several opportunities across the UNESCO regional and field offices. Click on the links below to learn more. You will need to apply for each opportunity you are interested in. 

Depending on the nature of the programme/project, the duties may include:

• Contributing to the preparation of documents, reports, work plans and communication content including briefings, project documents, talking points, speeches and online content.
• Assisting in conducting research, and drafting and preparing materials pertaining to the implementation of UNESCO’s programmes and projects.
• Sourcing, compiling, analysing and presenting data.
• Assisting with the planning and implementation of meetings, training workshops, events, webinars and conferences organized by UNESCO for internal and/or external participants.
• Assisting in building and maintaining working relationships with other entities within UNESCO, the UN system, and with donors and partners outside the Organization. 

Opportunities - click on each opportunity below for details and apply to each one you are interested in:

• Paris HQ, France "The Basic Sciences, Research, Innovation and Engineering Section"
• Paris HQ, France "Division of Planning and Programming of the Bureau of Strategic Planning"
• Paris HQ, France "Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Rule of Law and Freedom of Expression Team"
• Paris HQ, France "The Cultural Heritage Protection Treaties Unit"
• Paris HQ, France "Illicit Trafficking and Return and Restitution Unit"
• Paris HQ, France "Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit"
• Regional Office in Santiago, Chile "Education Monitoring"
• Regional Office in Santiago, Chile "Education Policy and Planning"
• Regional Office in San Jose, Costa Rica "United Nations Coordination"
• Bonn, Germany "Technical & Vocational Education & Training Systems"
• Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Venice, Italy "Communication activities"
• International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy "International Center for Theoretical Physics"
• Global Assessment of Water Resources in Perugia, Italy "Natural Science Sector"
• Regional Office in Amman, Jordan "Inclusive Education Support"
• Regional Office in Amman, Jordan "Transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training  Program Support"
• National Office in Maputo, Mozambique "Support Systems Thinking"
• National Office in Kathmandu, Nepal "Communication and Information"
• International Bureau of Education in Geneva, Switzerland "Knowledge Creation and Management"
• Regional Office in Montevideo, Uruguay "Ethics of Artificial Intelligence & Private Sector Engagement"
• Regional Office in Montevideo, Uruguay "Open Science and Science Policy"
• Remote Opportunity with the UNESCO Office in Baghdad, Iraq "Cross-Sectoral"

The level of supervision will depend on the nature of the assignment. Interns will have a named supervisor who is responsible for over-seeing their work.  The frequency and type of interaction will depend on the nature of the tasks and the assignment, and the working styles of the intern(s) and the supervisor(s). A minimum level of supervision is required by the Organization. The Human Resources team over-seeing internships will also arrange for regular check-ins with the intern(s) and supervisor(s). 

The office and work environment depends on the duty station - whether Headquarters or a field office, and the location of the office.  There will always be opportunities for interns to engage with other UNESCO employees, including other interns. At the level of the immediate team, interns will be included where possible in formal and informal meetings in order to enhance the richness of the internship.

Interns will be also be invited to participate in regular online Brown Bag Lunches and learning & development initiatives for colleagues across the Organization. They are given access to the UNESCO learning and development platform, with Organizational-specific materials for self-paced learning.

Selected candidates will be required to complete additional paperwork as a formality, including providing proof of academic eligibility (enrolled or recently graduated); medical insurance for the location and full period of the internship; a statement of medical fitness; Passport or national ID card.

Internship Details

UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students)
Dates: 8-12 weeks (preference for 12)
Location: Paris, France
Preferred Qualifications:  Excellent knowledge of English; good knowledge of French or Spanish an asset; Good writing and analytical skills; Mastering of Microsoft Office programme; Ability to work independently; Experience in website content management an asset

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

As the only specialized organization with the mandate to support educational policy, planning and management, IIEP plays a unique role within the United Nations system. It was established in 1963 as an integral part of UNESCO. The Institute is fully aligned with the objectives of the Organization and contributes to its education planning. It develops the capacities of education actors to plan and manage their systems through its programmes of training, technical assistance, policy research and knowledge sharing.

IIEP has a long tradition of producing and sharing actionable research, evidence, and knowledge products in educational planning and management for policymakers, planners, and other education actors. Its accessible research and knowledge drives decision-making for transforming education by strengthening links between research and planning processes, and between plans and their implementation.

IIEP’s research agenda is guided and enriched by its expertise in six key areas that are central to the Education 2030 Agenda for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all, i.e.:

• Planning and management to improve learning
• Planning and management for equity, gender equality and inclusion in education
• Promoting good governance and transparency in educational management and financing
• Enhancing digital technology to transform education
• Planning and management for crises, climate change, and natural hazards
• Ensuring skills for the future and the transition to work

For more details, see: Our six priorities | International Institute for Educational Planning

Internship Responsibilities:

The intern will have the opportunity to support the research and capacity-building work of IIEP on one of the two following major topics, namely: (i) the use of new digital tools (including AI) to renew planning and management techniques; (ii) transformative higher education policies. In addition, he/she will contribute to the development of a new international Observatory dedicated to educational planning.

More specifically, under the supervision of IIEP’s Director and Team Leader of Knowledge Generation and Mobilization, the intern will:

• Conduct applied research benefiting from the help of the Institute’s experts, as well as IIEP’s widely developed Library and its highly experienced staff
• Carry out an in-depth analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Help prepare synthesis notes and policy briefs on this basis
• Participate in the design and preparation of policy fora, seminars, online training courses or other meetings organized in the field
• Assist in developing the structure and content of IIEP’s new international Observatory, which will serve as a worldwide reference in the domain
• Liaise with various international partners (development agencies, international organizations, civil society institutions, etc.) as needed
• Attend events organised at IIEP premises on a variety of topics
• Assist in other programme activities as required

The main products to be produced as part of the internship are as follows:

• Notes summarizing the main findings of data analysis
• Consolidated list of resources collected/mobilized as part of the research
• Web articles/blogs to be displayed on IIEP’s website or other online Observatory/platform
• Social posts to help disseminate the main outcomes of IIEP’s research work

The intern will be able to develop and exercise his/her skills in the following areas, with adequate technological support from competent colleagues:

• Applied research and training
• Networking with various international partners
• Web and social media strategy development
• Working in an international environment
• Working within the UN context

He/she will have opportunities to engage with other members of the Knowledge Generation and Mobilization team involved in research dissemination and uptake, but also with other teams from the Institute – including that related to training and to technical assistance work. He/she will also be able to exchange with other interns hosted by the Institute, that come from a diversity of universities worldwide.