UNFPA/LBN/2026/07: Internship for Institutional Support

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Lebanon and jointly with the Ministerial focal point, the intern will support the Government of Lebanon (selected ministry) team 
 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist host ministry relevant staff in the implementation of UNFPA workplans and joint ministry-UNFPA activities.
• Carry out any desk research and draft background documents as requested by the supervisor
• Provide technical, operational, and administrative support to ministry departments working on UNFPA priority areas, including Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Youth Empowerment, and Population Dynamics, in coordination with relevant UNFPA staff members.
• Support the ministry in the implementation of relevant activities as guided by Ministry/institution supervisor
• Track project timelines, action plans, and deliverables across active UNFPA-supported projects within the ministry

Coordination and Liaison Support:

• Support the communication between the host ministry/institution and UNFPA to ensure timely communication and alignment on shared priorities.
• Facilitate and Attend joint meetings, task force sessions, and joint working group meetings, bilateral and tracking follow-up actions.
• Facilitate document reviews and information sharing between ministry staff and UNFPA programme managers.

The intern is expected to report in person 5 times a week at the Ministry, including one day at the end of each month at UNFPA to be agreed with supervisors. The intern is expected to attend a 2 days UNFPA review and planning meeting. A work-plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the Intern enhancing her/his skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

UNFPA is setting up an internship scheme for institutional support to bridge the gap between young students and the government, providing first-hand experience of working in public administration while serving our youth and social service mandate in advancing SRHRH.

You would be responsible for:

The intern will fulfill a combination of analytical assignments and professional coordination support:

• Research and Data Analysis: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis, including dataset cleaning, desk reviews, and thematic synthesis, across UNFPA core mandate areas (SRHR, GBV, Youth, and Population) and relevant host ministry portfolios to identify service gaps, and evidence to inform policy and programmatic interventions. 
• Reporting and Documentation: Assist in drafting, compiling, and formatting summary reports, presentations, and informational briefs based on collected data, helping to document joint UNFPA-ministry activities and outputs across youth, GBV, and reproductive health initiatives, and other areas requested by the Ministry/institution. 
• Programme Implementation: Assist the host ministry/institution in the implementation of relevant programme activities within UNFPA core mandate areas (SRHR, GBV, youth empowerment, and population data).
• Programmatic Monitoring: Support the joint UNFPA-Government activities in terms of tracking of project timelines and milestones, and assist in coordinating any needed joint meeting/visit/etc.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Provide administrative and logistical support to UNFPA and ministry/institutions teams in organizing joint meetings, workshops, and capacity-building events, while assisting with routine communication and coordination with national and local partners. This also includes support in the documentation of the meeting minutes and the necessary follow-up on action items.
• Perform any requested item by the Ministry/Institution and/or UNFPA as required.
• Attend the 2 days  annual review and planning meeting happening at UNFPA in November 2026. 

Qualifying for an Internship

An intern must meet the following educational and other eligibility requirements:

Educational requirements

a. Enrolled or recently graduated with a Master’s in Social science, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Gender Studies,  Public Health, or any related field. 

Other eligibility requirements

b. Demonstrate interest in the field of development, social policy, and public policy

c. Demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in (English and Arabic) 

d. Demonstrate ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.

Have:

Technical Skills: Proven academic or practical experience working with data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel) and generating clean statistical summaries.

Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change

Core Competencies: Analytical, conceptual, and technical writing skills; ability to translate numerical trends into clear narrative takeaways.

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, high accountability, and the ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team. Prior experience volunteering or working with development or public health agencies is a strong asset.

Languages: 

• English: Fluent
• Arabic: Fluent

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern will gain the following knowledge assets:

1. Increased understanding of the UNFPA and the Programme Division within UNFPA
2. Understand the UNFPA mandate and policies, including regional set-up 
3. Understand and familiarize with UNFPA Governance and Executive Board 
4. Understand UNFPA programme design and delivery mechanisms
5. Understand the dynamics of operational and programme support and communications to the field, and at the level of HQ
6. Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms 
7. Write and formulate substantive documents
8. Network with UN colleagues 
9. Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting

Financial Aspects:

Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern's participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. However, they receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme. The stipend is based on the intern’s agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements. 

In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns. 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.