World Food Forum (WFF) & FAO Internship Programme 2026 in Italy

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for its 2026 Internship Programme within the Office of Youth and Women (OYW) at its headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The programme provides students and recent graduates with an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in an international professional environment while contributing to FAO's work on food security, sustainable agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.

The Office of Youth and Women supports youth empowerment, women's participation, advocacy, partnerships and leadership development. Its work includes activities connected to the World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Action initiative.

Selected interns will be assigned responsibilities relevant to the Office's work. Specific tasks will be outlined in the Terms of Reference prepared by the hiring office, and interns will work under an assigned supervisor.

The internship is designed to provide professional learning experience while supporting FAO's Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Nationality: Be a national of an FAO member country.

• Academic status: Be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme at a recognised institution, or be a recent graduate.

• Age: Be aged 21–30 at the beginning of the internship, with the assignment starting before the applicant turns 31.

• Language: Have working knowledge of at least one FAO official language: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

• Additional languages: Knowledge of a second FAO official language is an advantage.

• Computer skills: Be familiar with basic computer programmes.

• Communication: Demonstrate good communication skills and adaptability to an international, multicultural workplace.

• Immigration status: Have appropriate residence or immigration status in Italy before beginning the assignment.

• Family restrictions: Applicants whose parent, sibling or other specified immediate family member is employed by FAO are ineligible.

• Monthly stipend: Financial support in local currency, not exceeding US$700 per month under FAO's general internship policy.

• International experience: Practical exposure to the work of a United Nations specialised agency.

• Professional development: Experience supporting activities related to youth empowerment, advocacy, partnerships and agrifood systems.

• Supervised learning: Work under an assigned FAO supervisor with responsibilities established through Terms of Reference.

• Medical coverage: FAO-funded coverage for service-incurred medical matters.

• Networking: Opportunities to work in an international and multicultural professional environment.

• Updated CV/résumé or completed FAO candidate profile.

• Letter of motivation explaining the applicant's interest in the programme and preferred area of work.

• Evidence of university enrolment or attendance at a recognised institution.

• Relevant academic qualification details for graduates.

• Additional supporting information requested through the FAO recruitment portal.

FAO assesses applicants against the requirements of the vacancy, including:

• Relevant educational background and academic eligibility.

• Working knowledge of an FAO official language.

• Basic computer skills.

• Communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

• Suitability for assignments connected to the Office of Youth and Women's activities.

Knowledge of a second FAO official language is considered an advantage.

• Gain practical experience at FAO headquarters in Rome.

• Develop an understanding of international food security and sustainable agrifood systems.

• Gain exposure to youth and women's empowerment initiatives.

• Build professional skills through supervised international work.

• Explore career interests in international development, sustainability and global policy.

• Learn how a United Nations specialised agency contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals.