FAO Regional Office For Africa (RAF) Internship Program 2025: A Gateway For Young African Professionals - Apply Now!

About the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Internship

The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Internship Program 2025 is now open for applications, offering young African professionals a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in global food security, sustainable agriculture, and development policies. If you are passionate about creating impact and contributing to global food systems, this is a chance to work with a leading international organization dedicated to agricultural development and food security.

The FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Internship Program is designed to provide young professionals with hands-on experience in FAO’s core focus areas. The program aims to attract talented individuals who can bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and technical expertise to FAO’s mission. Through this internship, participants will gain firsthand experience in working on projects that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the advancement of sustainable agri-food systems.

Interns will work alongside seasoned experts and professionals, supporting FAO’s Strategic Framework while getting practical exposure to international policy-making, research, and field operations in agriculture, food security, and rural development.

Eligible Fields

FAO welcomes applications from all fields of study relevant to agriculture, food security, rural development, environmental science, economics, public policy, and other disciplines aligned with FAO’s mission.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the FAO Regional Office for Africa Internship Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Enrollment in an academic program: Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a recognized educational institution or be recent graduates at the time of application. FAO only considers qualifications obtained from accredited institutions listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by UNESCO and the International Association of Universities (IAU). You can check eligible institutions at www.whed.net.
Relevant academic background: Candidates should have an educational focus related to FAO’s mandate and work areas.

Language proficiency: A working knowledge of at least one of FAO’s official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish) is required. Proficiency in multiple FAO languages is considered an asset.
Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of FAO member countries.
Age requirement: Candidates should be between 21 and 30 years old.

Adaptability and communication skills: The ideal candidates must be able to work in multicultural international environments and possess strong communication skills.
Internship restrictions:
- Candidates who have previously participated in an FAO internship program are not eligible.
- Applicants with direct family members (parents, siblings) currently employed by FAO under any type of contract are not eligible.
- FAO does not consider applications from candidates enrolled in vocational training programs or distance learning courses.

Selection Criteria

FAO uses a rigorous selection process to evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

Academic background and achievements
Relevance of studies to FAO’s work
Proficiency in FAO languages

Work experience, if any
Overall adaptability and potential for contribution

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Selected applicants will undergo a comprehensive reference and background check as part of the recruitment process.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following documents:

A completed online application via the FAO recruitment portal.
An updated CV detailing academic background, skills, and experience.

A letter of motivation explaining why they are interested in the FAO internship and how it aligns with their career goals.
Proof of enrollment or recent graduation (such as an official transcript or academic certificate from a recognized institution).

Eligible Countries

The FAO RAF Internship Program is open to all African countries that are members of FAO.

Benefits of the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) Internship

This internship provides a wealth of learning and professional development opportunities, including:

Practical Work Experience: Interns gain hands-on exposure to FAO’s projects and initiatives, contributing to global food security efforts.
International Work Environment: Experience working in a multicultural, professional setting alongside experts and policymakers in agriculture and development.

Professional Networking: Opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and fellow professionals in the field of agriculture and development.
Financial Support: FAO provides a monthly stipend to interns who are not sponsored by their universities or any other institution.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the FAO online recruitment system by following these steps:

Create an account on the FAO recruitment website and log in.
Complete your online profile, ensuring all personal, academic, and work-related details are correctly entered.
Attach all required documents, including a CV, motivation letter, and proof of enrollment.

Submit the application before the deadline.

Important Notes:

Only applications submitted through the FAO official recruitment portal will be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Information provided in the application may be shared within FAO or with external companies working on FAO’s recruitment process (e.g., for pre-screening, assessments, background checks).
Candidates who are not selected before the application deadline must reapply for future internship openings.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues.

The deadline for submitting applications is August 25, 2025, at 10:59 PM (GMT). Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute submission issues.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for young African professionals to gain practical skills, enhance their careers, and contribute to the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. Apply today and take a step toward making a real impact in global food security!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY