Description

The African Union Internship Program 2026 is an internship opportunity offered by the African Union. The African Union Internship Program allows candidates from member states to learn about the inner workings of a continental organization and to contribute to administrative or technical activities in various departments. This SkillReFlex fact sheet summarizes key information to help you understand the target audience, funding level, dates, required documents, program limitations, and important considerations before applying. Program Objective - The objective is to provide an initial pan-African professional experience, expose young people to the AU’s institutional agenda, and strengthen their skills in a multicultural environment related to African integration. Proposed Experience - Interns may be assigned to various departments: the Executive Office, Education, Peace and Security, Health, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Human Resources, Communications, Legal Affairs, Diaspora, Finance, or Partnerships, depending on the organization’s needs. Funding and Benefits : The support offered is as follows: Unpaid internship. Travel, housing, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern, unless otherwise specified by the African Union. Key takeaways include: Professional experience at a pan-African institution; Exposure to various departments of the African Union Commission; Strengthening of administrative, technical, and intercultural skills; Opportunity to build a continental network early in one’s career; A strong line on a resume for those in public policy, cooperation, or development fields. When an opportunity combines mentorship, training, awards, travel, or visibility, it is important to distinguish between what is guaranteed, what depends on the final selection, and what remains the responsibility of the candidate. Target Profile : This opportunity is aimed at students in their final year of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program, or recent graduates, who are nationals of an AU member state, motivated by African public policy, and capable of working with multicultural teams. The main criteria to check are: Be a national of an African Union member state; Be enrolled in at least the final year of a bachelor’s degree program or hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or equivalent degree; Be no older than 32 years of age at the time of selection; Be fluent in at least one of the AU’s working languages; Demonstrate impeccable moral character and integrity; Use the African Union’s official resume template, which is required. Timeline - The date set for public posting is December 31, 2026, according to the official announcement. Official milestones: Publication of the announcement: February 16, 2026; Posted deadline: December 31, 2026; Assignments and contacts based on the AU’s internal needs. If the official page mentions multiple application rounds, countries, categories, or time zones, always confirm the date that applies to your situation before finalizing your application. Application : Recommended Procedure: Create or update your profile on the African Union’s career portal; download the official AU resume template in English or French; complete your profile and attach the required documents; click “Apply” on the official job posting; Monitor messages from the portal and the AU recruitment team. Documents you should prepare include: a resume in the official African Union format, proof of enrollment or degree, ID card or passport, academic and professional information, and any additional documents requested by the portal. Clearly indicate the AU department or field that best aligns with your background. Be specific about your availability and working languages. Plan for personal expenses, as the internship is advertised as unpaid. Keep a copy of every document you submit, use a permanent email address, and note the time zone for the deadline. Important Note : This post does not replace the official source. Verified details: the official African Union Careers page was consulted; the internship is advertised as unpaid; eligibility is open to AU Member States. Use only the jobs.au.int portal. The official resume template is required, as stated on the recruitment page. Be wary of messages requesting selection or processing fees. Apply only through the official channels listed and refuse any promise of selection in exchange for payment, any unmentioned fee requests, or any contact that urges you to deviate from the official channel.

Official source and verification

Eligibility criteria

• Be a national of a member state of the African Union
• Be enrolled in at least the final year of a bachelor's degree program or hold a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or equivalent degree
• Be 32 years old or younger at the time of selection
• Be proficient in at least one of the AU's working languages
• Demonstrate impeccable moral conduct and integrity
• Use the African Union’s official resume template; this is required

Application procedure