What's an internship at the OSCE like? 

The OSCE Internship Programme provides a framework for graduate/postgraduate students or recent graduates or postgraduates to develop their professional skills and gain practical work experience in an international environment.  The aim of the programme is to expose interns to the work of the OSCE and to provide OSCE departments with qualified and specialized assistance in various professional fields.

The OSCE offers a limited number of places for interns that are filled subject to the current needs and facilities of various Departments. Internships usually last between two to six months and do not constitute a commitment to future employment with the OSCE.

Please note that in line with other international and multilateral organizations, the OSCE does not provide remuneration to interns or reimbursement for their travel expenses for relocation to/from Vienna. However, selected national and international interns who do not hold permanent residence in Vienna may be eligible for receiving an allowance to contribute towards their living costs in Vienna.

 

Where are internships available?

Please note the following institutions and field operations accept interns to support their activities. Any future openings will be announced in advance via vacancy notice. Interested candidates should check open internship vacancies on a regular basis and apply for one of these vacancies using the online application form. 

  • OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
  • Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Vienna
  • High Commissioner on National Minorities, The Hague
  • OSCE Presence in Albania
  • OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • OSCE Mission in Kosovo
  • OSCE Mission to Skopje
  • OSCE Mission to Moldova (Russian or Romanian working knowledge is required)
  • OSCE Mission to Serbia
  • OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine
  • OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek
  • OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

Institutions and field operations not listed above are currently not accepting applications for internships.

 

What are the requirements?

  • Students in the final year of higher education (university or other accredited institution) at graduate or postgraduate level; or recent graduates or postgraduates, i.e. within two years of graduation.
  • The upper age limit for applicants is 30 years.
  • Applicants should have professional fluency in English, both oral and written, and computer literacy.
  • Be able to adapt to an international, multicultural working environment.
  • In addition to these minimal requirements, some field operations may require working knowledge of Russian or additional requirements, which will be listed in the vacancy notice.

 

How to apply?

Please apply online at OSCE Careers - Jobs against a specific vacancy notice in the institution or field operation where you wish to work.

Please note that only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Direct (offline) applications will not be considered.