OECD Affordable Housing and Homelessness Internship 2026 in Paris, France: Fully Paid Opportunity for Graduate Students

Are you a graduate student passionate about affordable housing, social policy, homelessness prevention, and evidence-based public policy? The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is offering an exciting internship opportunity within its Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS), Social Policy Division, based in Paris, France.

This highly competitive internship provides an exceptional opportunity for talented graduate students to contribute to international research, policy development, and data analysis related to affordable housing and homelessness across OECD and European Union countries.

The internship is expected to begin in Fall 2026 and will run for a duration of four to six months, offering participants the chance to work alongside leading policy experts while contributing to projects that directly influence housing and social policies worldwide.

Application Deadline: 24 June 2026

About the OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation consisting of 38 member countries dedicated to promoting policies that improve economic and social well-being around the world.

The OECD serves as a global knowledge hub, bringing together governments, policymakers, researchers, and experts to address some of the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Its work spans numerous sectors, including:

• Economic development
• Education and skills
• Employment and labour markets
• Climate change
• Digital transformation
• Healthcare
• Taxation
• Governance
• Innovation
• Social inclusion
• Housing policy

Through evidence-based research and international cooperation, the OECD develops standards, policy recommendations, and comparative analyses that help countries build stronger and more inclusive societies.

About the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS)

The Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs is the OECD’s central body for promoting inclusive growth and social well-being.

Its work focuses on:

• Creating quality jobs
• Reducing poverty and social exclusion
• Strengthening human capital
• Improving healthcare systems
• Managing migration effectively
• Enhancing social protection systems
• Supporting housing inclusion initiatives

Within ELS, the Social Policy Division leads important work on affordable housing, homelessness, housing exclusion, and broader social policy challenges affecting millions of people worldwide.

OECD Affordable Housing and Homelessness Internship Overview

The Social Policy Division is seeking a motivated and talented intern to support ongoing research, analytical work, and policy development relating to:

• Affordable housing
• Social housing
• Homelessness
• Housing exclusion
• Housing affordability monitoring
• Housing-related public policy

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of a Senior Policy Analyst and contribute to projects that inform national and international housing policies.

Internship Location

Paris, France

Internship Duration

• 4 to 6 months
• Full-time internship
• Possibility of extension depending on OECD internship policies

Preferred Start Date

Fall 2026

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will play an important role in supporting the OECD’s housing and homelessness policy agenda.

1. Support Housing Policy Research and Analysis

Interns will contribute to the development of research and analytical outputs focused on:

• Affordable housing challenges
• Homelessness trends
• Housing exclusion
• Country-specific housing policy assessments
• Policy recommendations for governments

This work will help policymakers better understand housing challenges and develop effective solutions.

2. Update the OECD Affordable Housing Database

A significant component of the internship involves supporting updates to the OECD Affordable Housing Database.

Responsibilities may include:

• Data collection
• Data validation
• Data organisation
• Quality assurance
• Comparative analysis of housing indicators

Interns will gain practical experience working with internationally recognised datasets used by governments and researchers worldwide.

3. Conduct Comparative Policy Research

The intern will perform extensive desk research examining national and local housing policies across OECD and EU countries.

Research topics may include:

• Affordable housing programmes
• Social housing systems
• Homelessness prevention strategies
• Housing support measures
• Housing affordability indicators
• Housing market interventions

The findings will contribute to OECD reports, policy briefs, and international policy discussions.

4. Support International Expert Workshops

The selected candidate will assist in organising an OECD expert workshop in Paris.

Tasks may include:

• Event coordination
• Research preparation
• Stakeholder communication
• Meeting support
• Documentation and reporting

This provides valuable exposure to international policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement.

5. Assist Policymakers and OECD Experts

Interns will support broader OECD activities aimed at helping governments:

• Monitor homelessness trends
• Assess housing affordability
• Design housing policies
• Evaluate policy effectiveness
• Promote social inclusion

Benefits of the OECD Internship

The OECD internship offers numerous professional and personal development benefits.

Financial Support

Interns based in Paris receive:

• A monthly contribution of €1,000 towards living expenses

Leave Entitlement

Interns receive:

• Two and a half working days of annual leave for every full month worked
• Recognition of French public holidays

Flexible Working Arrangements

Depending on team requirements, internships may be conducted:

• In-person
• Hybrid
• Fully remote

International Exposure

Participants gain experience in:

• International public policy
• Comparative social policy research
• Global housing issues
• International cooperation
• Multilateral institutions

Professional Networking

Interns will have opportunities to engage with:

• OECD experts
• Government officials
• Researchers
• International organisations
• Policy professionals
• Member country representatives

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for this internship, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a full-time accredited graduate degree programme throughout the internship period
• Be pursuing Master’s or Doctoral studies or equivalent qualifications

Relevant academic disciplines include:

• Housing Studies
• Economics
• Social Policy
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Urban Studies
• Urban Sociology
• Public Policy
• Population Studies
• Demography
• Related disciplines

Language Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Additional language skills are considered a strong advantage.

Technical Skills

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word
• Quantitative analysis skills
• Data management capabilities

Professional Skills

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong analytical abilities
• Excellent drafting skills
• Research experience
• Attention to detail
• Organisational skills
• Teamwork capabilities
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn

Preferred Experience

Experience in any of the following areas will be beneficial:

• Affordable housing research
• Homelessness policy analysis
• Social policy research
• Public policy analysis
• Data analysis projects

OECD Internship Selection Process

The OECD internship recruitment process consists of four stages:

Stage 1: Online Application

Applicants submit:

• Application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter

Stage 2: Pre-Screening

Applications are reviewed by the OECD Internship Office and shortlisted for relevant directorates.

Stage 3: Interview and/or Written Assessment

Selected candidates may be invited to:

• Attend interviews
• Complete written assessments
• Demonstrate relevant competencies

Stage 4: Internship Agreement

Successful candidates receive an internship offer and complete the required internship agreement.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should submit:

1. Updated CV
2. Brief cover letter

The cover letter should clearly indicate:

• Nationality
• Language skills
• Availability
• Preferred start date
• Preferred internship duration
• Confirmation of enrolment in a graduate programme throughout the internship

Why You Should Apply

This internship represents an outstanding opportunity for graduate students interested in social policy, housing research, and international development.

Participants will gain:

• Experience working with one of the world’s most respected international organisations
• Exposure to international policymaking
• Advanced research and analytical experience
• Networking opportunities with global experts
• Practical skills in housing policy and homelessness research
• Experience contributing to evidence-based policy solutions

For students aspiring to careers in public policy, international development, research, social affairs, urban planning, or housing policy, this internship provides an exceptional platform for professional growth.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the OECD Affordable Housing and Homelessness Internship is 24 June 2026.

Click here for more and to apply

Interested candidates should carefully review all eligibility requirements and prepare their application materials well before the deadline to maximise their chances of success.

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