The IFAD Internship Program offers young graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of the United Nations’ specialised agencies in Rome, Italy. The International Fund for Agricultural Development focuses on reducing poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries, and its internship programme is fully funded — covering a monthly living allowance and travel costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, making this a rare open-window opportunity at a multilateral institution.
The internship application is currently available through the official Careers Centre on an Open Until Filled basis.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Internship
- Host Organization: International Fund for Agricultural Development
- Location: IFAD duty stations; Rome, Italy is the headquarters
- Duration: 6 months
- Mode: Depends on the internship assignment; remote or flexible arrangements may be possible where permitted
- Nationality: IFAD member country except Rome
- Age Limit: 30 years or younger
- Minimum Degree Required: At least two years of undergraduate study completed, or a recently completed undergraduate/postgraduate degree
- Eligible Fields: Fields relevant to IFAD’s mission, including agriculture, rural development, economics, finance, environment, climate, food security, nutrition, communications, business administration, IT and related areas
- Work Experience Required: No specific professional work-experience requirement stated
- Stipend / Financial Support: Monthly allowance calculated at 10% of the applicable duty-station DSA, capped at US$800/month. Eligible Enhanced Internship Programme participants may receive 14% of DSA plus housing and travel support
- Enhanced Support: Eligible interns from developing countries who need to travel to their duty station may receive a higher monthly allowance contributing to housing and travel expenses
- Application Fee: None
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
- Additional Internship: Interns may be eligible for an additional six-month internship providing a different learning experience
- Language Requirement: Fluency in English; additional languages may be required depending on the assignment
What Is This Opportunity?
The International Fund for Agricultural Development — is a United Nations specialised agency and international financial institution headquartered in Rome, Italy. Its mission is to end rural poverty by investing in rural people, especially smallholder farmers and women, in developing countries. The IFAD Internship Program integrates young professionals into the work of the fund, giving interns the chance to contribute to real projects in areas like agricultural finance, rural development, gender equity, climate resilience, and institutional operations. The programme also offers an enhanced allowance for interns from IFAD’s least developed member countries, recognising the additional barriers faced by candidates from lower-income nations.
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible to apply if you:
- Are 30 years old or under at the time of application
- Are a national of an IFAD member country (IFAD has over 170 member states)
- Are currently enrolled in a degree programme, or have recently completed one (typically within the last 12 months)
- Have a background in agriculture, rural development, economics, environmental science, development studies, nutrition, gender studies, data analysis, or a related field
- Have proficiency in English; knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is an asset
What Do You Get?
- Monthly living allowance for the 6-month internship period
- Travel allowance at the beginning and end of the assignment
- Higher allowance for nationals of IFAD’s least developed member countries
- Real-world UN work experience on active development programmes
- Access to IFAD’s professional network and international development community in Rome
What Will You Do?
As an IFAD intern, you will be integrated into a division or programme team. Responsibilities typically include:
- Supporting research, analysis, and report writing related to agricultural development and rural finance
- Contributing to project documentation, evaluations, and knowledge products
- Assisting with data collection, processing, and visualisation
- Participating in team meetings and stakeholder engagements
- Supporting cross-divisional work across IFAD’s operations, communications, and policy teams
Fields / Areas
IFAD internship openings span a range of technical and operational areas, including:
- Agricultural economics and rural finance
- Environmental science and climate resilience
- Gender equality and social inclusion
- Nutrition and food systems
- Data, monitoring, and evaluation
- Communications, knowledge management, and policy
How to Apply
- Visit the official IFAD internship page: ifad.org/en/work-with-us/internship-programmes
- Review available internship openings listed on the IFAD careers portal
- Create an account and complete your online profile
- Upload your CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts
- Apply to the position that matches your academic background — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Important Deadline
Rolling applications — no fixed closing date
IFAD internship positions are posted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. There is no single application deadline — check the IFAD careers portal regularly and apply as soon as you find a relevant opening, as positions close once filled.
Six months at a UN agency in Rome, fully funded — this is the kind of internship that changes career trajectories. Share it with a young development professional in your network, and subscribe to Potenue for more fully funded opportunities delivered directly to your inbox.
