World Food Forum Internship 2025: Apply for FAO Youth and Women Office Opportunities

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has opened applications for the World Food Forum (WFF) Internship Programme 2025. This opportunity is designed for highly motivated young professionals committed to youth engagement, global food systems transformation, climate action, and sustainable development.

Interns will gain practical experience working within the FAO Office of Youth and Women (OYW) and contribute to initiatives that promote youth empowerment, innovation, and inclusive agrifood systems.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2025
Location: FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy (with global engagement roles)
Duration: 3 to 11 months
Eligibility: Students and recent graduates aged 21–30 from FAO member states

About the World Food Forum (WFF)

Launched in 2021, the World Food Forum is a youth-led global movement hosted by FAO. WFF engages young people, partners, and experts to accelerate progress toward sustainable and resilient food systems in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative strengthens youth leadership, fosters innovation, and advances inclusive policy dialogue within global food governance.

Internship Tracks Available

The WFF Office of Youth and Women is recruiting interns across multiple specializations. Positions include:

Coordination and Management (2 positions)

Support planning and execution of Office of Youth and Women initiatives and the WFF flagship forum. Contribute to project coordination, reporting, and program delivery.

Youth Assembly (1 position)

Assist with youth-led consultations, dialogues, and policy sessions. Support documentation and stakeholder engagement at global level.

Education (2 positions)

Contribute to the development of educational programs, youth learning workshops, and communication materials focused on agrifood systems and sustainability.

Culture (1 position)

Support cultural initiatives, including projects integrating traditional knowledge, food heritage, and creative storytelling to strengthen food systems.

Local Action (7 positions)

Help establish and support National Youth Chapters globally. Support project implementation, reporting, communication, and field-based storytelling.

Social Media (1 position)

Assist with content creation, digital campaigns, and platform management. Produce visual and written communication aligned with WFF youth voices and advocacy.

Partnerships (1 position)

Support mapping and coordination of strategic partnerships with global institutions, private sector, civil society, and youth networks.

Digital (1 position)

Support development and maintenance of digital tools, platforms, and online community engagement systems.

Innovation (2 positions)

Contribute to youth innovation programs, challenge platforms, and projects that support young innovators in food systems transformation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 21–30 at the time of application

• Enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited university

• Nationality of an FAO member country

• Academic background relevant to FAO’s mandate (e.g., agriculture, economics, environment, communications, international development, innovation, social sciences)

• Working knowledge of at least one FAO official language (English preferred; second language an asset)

• Ability to work in multicultural environments

• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Key Skills and Competencies

• Project coordination and organization

• Research and communication

• Youth engagement and advocacy

• Innovation and digital tools

• Media, writing, and content development

• Cross-cultural teamwork

• Policy knowledge and sustainable development interests

Internship Benefits

• Experience within a United Nations organization

• Hands-on engagement in global youth-led development initiatives

• Exposure to high-level UN events and international forums

• Professional mentorship and networking with global actors

• Capacity building in project delivery and agrifood systems transformation

Note: FAO states that fellows are unpaid. Stipends or financial support may vary and can often be arranged through universities or funding partners.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

•    Enrolled in an under-graduate, graduate degree programme in a “bona fide” educational institution at the time of application or recent graduate. Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http:// www.whed.net/.
•    Candidates must specialize in a field relevant to the mission and work of FAO.
•    Working knowledge of at least one FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish). Knowledge of a second FAO language will be considered an asset.
•    Be nationals of FAO Members.
•    Candidates should be aged between 21 and 30.
•    Candidates should be able to adapt to an international multicultural environment and have good communication skills.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Relevant working experience in one of the below listed fields would be a strong asset:

–    Thematic and academic support to policy dialogues
–    Innovation
–    Partnership/Fundraising
–    Marketing, Communications and Outreach
–    Cultural activities (film, music, culinary, art)
–    Event Management
–    Other

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

Application Process

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile

• Candidates for Fellows assignments are requested to attach a research proposal to their application.
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

Submit your application before the deadline

Link to apply: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2502596&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&%E2%80%A6

Candidates are encouraged to apply early. Incomplete applications will not be considered.