If you’ve been dreaming about contributing to education in crisis-hit parts of the world—but you’re wondering where to even begin—the ECW Hosted Fund at UNICEF is opening a door in 2026.
They’ve launched applications for their next remote internship program, a spot designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals who want to dip their toes into real humanitarian and development work.
It’s paid, it’s international, and it’s genuinely meaningful.
What Makes This Internship Worth Considering
One of the biggest draws is the monthly stipend—USD 1,700 for interns aligned with duty stations like Geneva, New York, or Copenhagen.
The hours are full-time, about 35 hours a week, but the rhythm is flexible since the work is remote.
Interns usually begin around February or March and commit to six months of learning and contributing.
But this isn’t the kind of internship where you’re fetching coffee for anyone.
You’ll be working directly on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tasks—things like analyzing data, helping track project outcomes, contributing to reports, and supporting how ECW evaluates its impact globally.
In other words: real work, real responsibility, and real skill-building.
A Chance to See the World From Your Laptop
Even though the internship is remote, you won’t feel tucked away.
ECW’s Secretariat brings together people from all over the world.
Interns collaborate with teams who are working daily to improve access to education for children in emergency settings—from conflict zones to climate-affected regions.
It’s a chance to widen your perspective and build relationships in the humanitarian and development space, no travel required.
Skills You’ll Leave With
By the end of the program, interns typically gain hands-on experience with:
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Data analysis and research
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Evaluation tools and methodologies
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Professional communication
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Global education strategies
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Cross-cultural teamwork
In short, you’ll walk away with the sort of experience that employers in development and humanitarian fields actively look for.
Who They’re Looking For
The eligibility list is pretty straightforward. To qualify, you’ll need to:
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Be at least 18
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Be enrolled in a Master’s program OR have graduated (Bachelor’s or Master’s) within the past three years
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Have an academic background connected to education, development, humanitarian studies, social sciences—or something along those lines
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Bring some data-analysis talent (Excel, R, STATA, Power Query… any of that is a plus)
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Be fluent in English, with French or Spanish being extra helpful
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Be available full-time and able to align your hours with Geneva’s schedule (CET)
UNICEF also strongly encourages applicants from low- and middle-income countries, and they make it clear that diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they’re priorities.
What the Work Conditions Actually Look Like
This internship usually spans five to six months, with six being preferred.
You’ll work full-time, though supervisors can allow some flexibility in scheduling.
Interns can take up to about 2.5 days off each month; anything more than that triggers a stipend adjustment.
Everything is remote-first, but if you really want or need physical workspace, you may be able to use UNICEF’s offices in Geneva or New York.
How To Submit Your Application
If this sounds like the kind of experience you want to jump into, here’s what you’ll need to do:
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Head to the UNICEF Careers Portal.
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Search for: Job Ref 588321 — Internships M&E – ECW Hosted Fund.
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Make sure your CV, credentials, and a short, thoughtful cover letter are ready to upload.
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Submit everything before 19 December 2025, midnight EST.
Candidates with strong data analysis backgrounds, previous exposure to humanitarian or development settings, or lived experience in low- or middle-income countries tend to stand out.
What Happens After You Apply?
Once your application is in, the selection team reviews submissions and reaches out to shortlisted candidates.
If you’re chosen, you’ll receive the next steps directly—usually involving a brief interview or follow-up conversation.
If you’re planning to build a future in humanitarian work, development, or global education, this internship could be a powerful way to get your foot in the door.
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