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:
- Updated CV
- 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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