Apply for UNU Innovation and Education Programme – Internship 2026

Application Deadline: September 7, 2026

About the Position

The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) is offering a full-time internship in the Innovation and Education (IVE) Programme. This is an on-site position based at UNU Headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. The internship provides an opportunity to support the newly established UN HESI Action Group, “Futures of Higher Education and AI,” which brings together AI experts from higher education institutions across all regions to advance a shared knowledge base on the role of AI in accelerating progress toward sustainable development.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Academic Programme Officer, the intern will:

1. Support the inter-network taskforce for three major networks of higher education: HESI, ProSPER.Net, and SDG-University Platform (SDG-UP)

1. Coordinate activities, including scheduling meetings, recording minutes, and facilitating internal communication
2. Assist in organising events such as webinars, workshops, and conferences
3. Support the production of knowledge products

1. Contribute to podcast episodes and webinars on AI, sustainability, and higher education
2. Help ensure participation of the three networks in knowledge product development
3. Support reporting and project documentation

1. Assist in drafting project reports capturing key activities, outputs, and achievements
2. Archive and maintain project records in a well-organised filing system
3. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• University studies in artificial intelligence, information technology, education, sustainable development, international development, or a related field
• Must be in the final year of undergraduate study, enrolled in a graduate degree programme, or within two years of graduation (maximum) from a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programme

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
• Organisational and coordination skills for in-person and online meetings, events, and multi-stakeholder engagement
• Experience in drafting communication materials such as newsletters, event summaries, and social media content
• Familiarity with digital design and content-creation tools such as Canva, Adobe Suite, or similar platforms

Language:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required
• Working knowledge of another UN language, including Japanese, is an advantage

Internship Details

• Duration: September 15, 2026 – March 15, 2027 (tentative)
• Location: On-site at UNU-IAS, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
• Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
• Stipend: Interns not receiving financial support from other sources will receive a stipend to partially subsidise basic living costs. The monthly amount will be determined based on duty station stipend rates.

Important Information

• UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position
• Interns do not hold international civil servant status and are not considered “staff members” under UN Staff Rules and Regulations
• UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion; applications from developing countries and women are strongly encouraged
• UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with UN aims and objectives

Application Deadline: September 7, 2026 (11:59 PM JST)

How to Apply

To apply, candidates must:

1. Apply via the provided link
2. Fill out the UNU P11 Form
3. Provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form)
4. Answer questions tailored to the position

Note: Candidates invited for an interview must submit documents confirming their education status (e.g., transcript or proof of enrolment) prior to the interview.

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