African Union (AU)
Applications are now open for the 2026 African Union Internship Program, an exciting opportunity for young Africans to gain hands-on professional experience within the African Union (AU).
This full-time internship is designed to help students and recent graduates strengthen their academic knowledge with practical exposure while contributing to the AU’s mission of promoting unity, development, and cooperation across Africa.
The program offers participants the chance to:
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Gain real-world experience in a multicultural environment
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Develop professional and interpersonal skills
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Build networks across the continent
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Understand how continental policies and programs are implemented
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Position themselves for future leadership opportunities in Africa
Internship Focus Areas
Interns provide administrative and technical support across various AU departments and directorates, including but not limited to:
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Cabinet of the Chairperson
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Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson
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Office of the Director General
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy & Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
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Economic Development, Trade, Industry & Mining (ETIM)
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Education, Science, Technology & Innovation (ESTI)
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Infrastructure & Energy (IE)
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Political Affairs, Peace & Security (PAPS)
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Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development (HHS)
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Human Resources Management (HRM)
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Operations Support Services
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Management Information Systems (MIS)
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
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Conference Management & Publications
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Citizens and Diaspora (CIDO)
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Women, Gender & Youth (WGY)
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Information and Communication
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Peace Fund Secretariat
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Office of Legal Counsel
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Ethics, Integrity & Standards
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New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
This broad range of departments allows interns from diverse academic backgrounds to find meaningful placement opportunities aligned with their field of study.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the AU Internship Program, applicants must:
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Be enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree or
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Have completed a Bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline
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Be a citizen of an African Union Member State
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Be no older than 32 years at the time of selection
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Be fluent in at least one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, or Portuguese)
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Demonstrate high moral standards and integrity
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Have no record of serious criminal convictions
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Show interest in the work and mission of the AU
📌 Prior work experience is not required.
📌 Internship Terms & Conditions
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The internship is full-time.
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Duration: 3 months, renewable once (maximum 6 months).
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Interns are responsible for their travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
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No financial compensation or travel allowance will be provided.
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Interns must have valid health insurance throughout the internship period.
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The AU may assist with visa processes where necessary.
Required Skills
Successful candidates should possess:
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
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Good email and internet skills
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Strong written and verbal communication abilities
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Good interpersonal skills
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Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments
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Fluency in at least one AU official language (knowledge of additional AU languages is an advantage)
Core Competencies
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Clear and concise communication
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Professional writing ability
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Strong work ethic and commitment
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Integrity and ethical conduct
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Teamwork in diverse settings
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the official AU recruitment portal.
Applicants are required to upload:
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A motivation letter outlining their expectations from the internship
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A copy of a valid passport or national ID
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Certified copies of academic certificates
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An updated CV
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A recommendation letter from their current institution (for students)
Upon successful submission, applicants will receive an email confirmation.
Application Deadline
December 31, 2026
To apply for this job please visit jobs.au.int.