UNU Junior Fellows Internship 2026 in Tokyo, Japan (Funded)

An excellent opportunity for postgraduate students and recent graduates from Master's and doctoral programs worldwide who are interested in the work of the United Nations organisation to apply for the UN University Junior Fellows Internship Program. The UNU Junior Fellows Internship will take place at the UNU office of the Rector in Tokyo, Japan, for a period of 6 months.

About the UNU Junior Fellows Internship

The UNU Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, offers postgraduate students and recent graduates from Master's or PhD programs the opportunity to gain practical experience in a UN setting. The internship lasts approximately six months and is based at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, with some flexibility for remote work. 

UNU Junior Fellows Internship runs parallel to most university semesters. Junior Fellows are selected twice per year, once in May-June for the fall term and once in September-October for the spring term. The spring term runs from late February to late August, and the fall term runs from late August to late February.

Interns work full-time and engage in diverse areas such as research, communications, event coordination, institutional development, and administration, contributing directly to the work of the Office of the Rector. 

UNU Junior Fellows Internship Purpose

The purpose of the Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the Office of the Rector is:

- to promote interaction and dialogue between young scholars, professionals, and UNU;

- to familiarise junior fellows with the activities of the Office of the Rector and the work of UNU;

- to provide opportunities for young professionals to gain in-depth, hands-on experience in a UN agency;

- to expose young professionals to an administrative working environment, and;

- to provide support to activities within the Office of the Rector.

Eligibility | Who can apply?

- Applicants must be currently postgraduate students or have recently completed (within two years of application) postgraduate studies (master's or doctoral), preferably in a field related to the UN University's work.

- Applicants must be under 32 years of age at the time of application;

- Must not have more than 5 years of work experience in their related field;

- Applicants must have native-level or fluent written and spoken English.

- Shows strong abilities in research, writing, and analysis.

- Able to work effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

- Thinks creatively and approaches challenges with resourcefulness.

- Has advanced digital skills, including solid practical experience with Microsoft Office (especially Excel); familiarity with ICT tools is a plus.

- Shows a demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and, more specifically, in the work of the United Nations University.

Expenses and Benefits

- Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources, such as universities or other institutions, will receive a stipend from UNU to partially subsidise their basic living costs for the duration of the internship.

- The monthly stipend amount will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates in effect.

- Junior Fellows are expected to have access to a personal laptop or desktop with basic functionalities and internet for the duration of their internship

- Junior Fellows enjoy free on-site and online access to the headquarters’ library and gym (as available) 

- Interns have the unique opportunity to learn about, contribute to, and provide assistance in organising conferences, lectures, academic forums, and symposiums (offline and online) that take place throughout the year.

- Junior Fellows are entitled to 1.5 days of leave per month. 

Timeline

Application deadline: 31 October 2025 (23:59 - Japan standard time)

Expected start date: 2nd of March 2026

Expected end date: 28th of August 2026

How to apply?

To apply for the UNU Internship, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the Application Link

• Click on the official Apply link provided in the internship listing.

Step 2: Answer Position-Specific Questions

• Complete a few short questions tailored to the internship role.

Step 3: Upload Your CV

• Attach a current and complete CV in English (maximum two pages).
• Upload it in place of the P11 Form (the P11 Form is not required).

Step 4: Submit a Cover Letter

• Write and upload a one-page cover letter (in English) that includes:
• Your motivation for applying
• How can you contribute to the Office of the Rector
• How the internship fits into your future career plans

Step 5: Complete the Application Form

• Fill it out using MS Word or print and complete it by hand
• Upload the completed form via the application link

Step 6: Complete the Funding Form

• Indicate your source(s) of funding, amount, and duration
• Upload the form along with your application

Step 7: Arrange Two Letters of Recommendation

• Contact two referees (not family or friends); at least one should be a professor
• Each referee must:

• Write a recommendation letter on your behalf
• Send it directly from their official email address to: ro_internship@unu.edu
• Letters sent by applicants themselves will not be accepted

Step 8: Submit Proof of English Proficiency (if applicable)

You do not need to submit proof if:

• English is your native language, or
• Your degree program is taught entirely in English.

Otherwise, submit a valid TOEFL, IELTS, or TOEIC score (original or photocopy)

More Details

For more details about "UNU Junior Fellows Internship 2026", check the opportunity details on the UN University from HERE 

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Opportunity Website⇗

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