01 October, 2010

In a bid to address the high unemployment rate among young people in Lesotho, the United Nations System in Lesotho, through the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) office, offers an Internship Programme.

Graduates from tertiary institutions are eligible to apply for an internship for a period of not less than six weeks and no more than six months.

The programme’s aim

One of the many development challenges Lesotho faces is a high rate of unemployment estimated at 40% among the youth. It is also estimated that of 7,500 graduates who enter the labour market each year, half of them do not find jobs. 

The internship programme is a critical bridge between the world of study and the work place for young professionals as it is intended to familiarise graduates with the working environment and help them gain practical experience working in an international environment, to provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UN agencies in Lesotho, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments.

Students will also be exposed to the work of the UN with the objective of deepening their knowledge and understanding of UN Lesotho’s goals, principles and activities. At the same time, students will provide UN agencies in Lesotho with the assistance of qualified personnel specialized in various professional fields.

International interns cannot be accepted at the UN in Lesotho due to high cost of security measures.

Students who wish to apply should:

• have completed at least two years of full-time studies at the tertiary,
• not graduated prior to the beginning of the internship,
• have enrolled in a degree or post secondary education programme at the time of application and during the internship. 

If a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, he/she is no longer eligible.

Placement

The interns can be placed at any UN agency in Lesotho.

Financial remuneration

There is no financial remuneration available for interns from the UN agencies.  Interns are expected to bear all costs related to their participation in the programme (including subsistence and travel) either through sponsors or other means. 

However, costs related to official travel at the request of a particular UN agency in the discharge of functions related to the internship activities shall be paid by the UN agency on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members, including payment of Daily Subsistence Allowance, as applicable.

How to apply 

Interested students must fill in and send the Application Form directly to the office (UN Agency) where they have a particular interest in serving as interns.

Click here for the full UN Lesotho Internship Policy.