UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment Internship 2026 in Dakar, Senegal | Fully Funded UN Internship Opportunity for Young Professionals

The UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment Internship 2026 in Dakar, Senegal presents an exciting opportunity for graduate students, postgraduate trainees, and recent graduates seeking practical experience in gender equality, development policy, and international cooperation within the United Nations system.

Hosted at the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa (WCARO) in Dakar, Senegal, this six-month internship is designed for highly motivated individuals who are passionate about women’s economic empowerment, feminist economics, sustainable development, and gender-responsive policymaking in Africa.

The internship offers participants the chance to work directly with experts and policymakers on major development issues affecting women and girls across West and Central Africa. Interns will contribute to research, policy development, communications, advocacy, and regional coordination activities while gaining valuable professional exposure in an international multicultural environment.

About UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010, the organization works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls while advancing women’s rights, participation, and leadership across all sectors.

UN Women’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 focuses on addressing systemic inequalities through integrated approaches centered around:

• Women’s leadership and decision-making
• Women’s economic empowerment
• Ending violence against women and girls
• Women, peace, security, and humanitarian action

The organization operates through regional offices, country offices, and partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, youth groups, and the private sector.

Internship Location and Duration

The internship will take place in Dakar, Senegal, at the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa.

Internship Details

• Location: Dakar, Senegal
• Organization: UN Women
• Department: Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Duration: 6 Months
• Schedule: Full-Time
• Vacancy Type: Internship Programme

Application Deadline

Applicants must submit their applications before:

Deadline: 27 May 2026

Candidates are encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues or incomplete submissions.

Overview of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Team

The Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Team at UN Women WCARO collaborates with governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, women’s associations, youth organizations, and private-sector actors to strengthen women’s participation in economic development.

The team focuses on several major thematic areas, including:

1. Women’s Access to Economic Opportunities

The program supports women’s:

• Employment opportunities
• Entrepreneurship development
• Financial inclusion
• Participation in the green and blue economy

2. Care Economy Transformation

UN Women promotes:

• Improved care systems
• Access to childcare and care infrastructure
• Women-led care enterprises
• Gender-responsive social protection systems

3. Gender-Responsive Economic Policies

The organization also supports:

• Macroeconomic policy reforms
• Gender-sensitive budgeting
• Inclusive economic frameworks
• Sustainable economic development strategies

Interns joining this team will gain direct exposure to policy discussions and development programs shaping women’s economic participation across Africa.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Intern

Selected interns will report to the Regional Policy Advisor for Women’s Economic Empowerment and support the daily operations of the WEE team.

Responsibilities include:

Research and Data Collection

Interns will:

• Conduct targeted research on gender and development issues
• Collect and analyze data related to women’s economic empowerment
• Support regional studies and policy reviews

Knowledge and Communication Products

Interns will assist in:

• Drafting policy briefs
• Preparing advocacy documents
• Developing communication materials
• Producing reports on emerging development issues

Topics may include:

• Care systems transformation
• Gender and macroeconomic policy
• Women in the green economy
• Innovative financing
• Care-climate nexus

Administrative and Editorial Support

Responsibilities also include:

• Drafting reports and meeting minutes
• Supporting translation work
• Preparing PowerPoint presentations
• Assisting with project proposals

Event Coordination

Interns will help organize:

• Capacity-building webinars
• Regional workshops
• Development forums
• Stakeholder engagement events

Participation in Activities

Interns may participate in:

• Policy dialogues
• Gender equality campaigns
• Regional consultations
• Women’s empowerment events

Learning Opportunities and Professional Development

This internship provides extensive professional growth opportunities, including:

Participants Will Gain:

• Advanced knowledge of gender equality frameworks
• Practical understanding of women’s economic empowerment strategies
• Experience in international development work
• Exposure to UN operational systems
• Professional communication and policy-writing skills
• Teamwork experience in multicultural settings
• Networking opportunities with UN agencies and development professionals

Required Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following educational requirements:

Eligible Academic Status

Candidates must:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school program
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate traineeship program
• Be pursuing a master’s degree or higher
• Or have graduated within the last two years

Relevant Academic Fields

Preferred disciplines include:

• Feminist/Gender Economics
• Gender and Development
• Development Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Related Development Studies

Preferred Experience

Although not mandatory, the following will be considered an advantage:

• Experience in women’s economic empowerment projects
• Knowledge of development challenges in Africa
• Familiarity with West and Central African contexts
• Understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5

Required Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and research abilities
• Knowledge of feminist and gender economics
• Excellent drafting and writing skills
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Zoom

Language Requirements

Applicants must have:

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent written and spoken French

Personal Competencies

UN Women seeks candidates with:

• Integrity and professionalism
• Respect for diversity
• Accountability
• Effective communication skills
• Inclusive collaboration abilities
• Creative problem-solving skills

Financial Support and Stipend

UN Women provides a stipend to interns who are not receiving financial support from another institution such as a university or scholarship program.

The stipend is intended to help partially cover basic living expenses during the internship period.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

UN Women maintains a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization recruits individuals regardless of:

• Race
• Religion
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Disability
• National origin
• Age

The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for applicants requiring support during the recruitment process.

Why You Should Apply

This internship is ideal for young professionals seeking:

• UN system experience
• International development exposure
• Gender policy expertise
• Professional networking opportunities
• Research and advocacy experience
• Practical skills in women’s empowerment programming

Working with UN Women can significantly strengthen your future career prospects in:

• International development
• Gender policy
• Economic empowerment programming
• Human rights advocacy
• Public policy
• Research and academia

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official UN Women careers portal before the application deadline HERE.

Applicants are advised to:

1. Complete every section of the application form carefully
2. Include detailed education and employment history
3. Prepare supporting documents in advance
4. Ensure accuracy before submission

To learn more about this opportunity, click HERE.

Incomplete applications may be disqualified during the recruitment process.

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