DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS10 August 2025-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Time (New York)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security. Its efforts focus on emergency assistance, relief and rehabilitation, development aid and special operations. Two-thirds of the work is in conflict-affected countries where people are three times more likely to be undernourished than those living in countries without conflict.
WFP is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP received the 2020 Nobel Prize for Peace, because providing assistance to increase food security not only prevents hunger but can also help to improve prospects for stability and peace.
The UN System and Multilateral Engagement Division, based in New York, is a key interface between WFP and international political, peace and security, development, and humanitarian actors. The Division works to galvanize WFP’s government partners to fulfil their commitments under the 2030 Agenda, mobilizing attention and efforts towards a world without hunger.
General Information
Title of Post: Internship – Data Engineering Intern
Supervisor: Deputy Director of NYC office
Unit: WFP New York Global Office
Country: United States of America
Duty Station: New York
Address: 733 3rd Avenue, #23, 10017, New York, NY, USA
Duration of internship: 3 months renewable
Working arrangement: In person
Expected Start Date: 15 August 2025
End Date: TBD
Duties and responsibilities
The Data & Analytics team at World Food Programme is responsible for designing and maintaining data infrastructure, pipelines, and tools that enable data-driven decision-making across the organization. The Data Engineering Intern will support the team in building and maintaining scalable data systems and processes.
Objectives of the Assignment
The primary objective of the internship is to provide hands-on experience in modern data engineering practices while contributing to real-world projects that support the organization’s intelligence, reporting, and data operations.
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Director of office and the ICT Assistant, the candidate will perform the following duties:
Help integrate data from various internal and external sources.
Support the cleaning, transformation, and structuring of raw data for analytics.
Work with cloud services (SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.) and/or data platforms
Video conferencing setup, management and execution.
Document processes and assist with data quality checks and debugging.
Collaborate with analysts, network administrators, and software engineers on data-related projects.
Ability to perform detailed work, work of a confidential nature and/or to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.
Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Any additional tasks as determined by the circumstances and qualifications of the incumbent.
Deliverables
Working on updated data pipelines for internal use.
Documentation of workflows and system architecture.
Weekly progress reports or check-ins.
Qualifications and experience
Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate programme (for example, Bachelor’s degree) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field from a recognized university and have completed at least two years of the programme; OR
Be currently enrolled in a graduate programme (for example, Master degree) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field; OR
Be a recent graduate from an undergraduate or graduate programme in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme);
Classes attendance in the last 12 months of enrolment in a recognized university in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
Familiarity with SQL, Python, or similar programming languages.
Basic understanding of data structures, APIs, and database concepts.
Exposure to cloud computing or big data tools.
Eagerness to learn and contribute in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
Excellent command of English, excellent writing skills
Data visualization, design, information products (e.g. Tableau, Publisher) and analysis is preferred.
Working Languages
Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required. Another UN language preferred (Chinese, Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian)
Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)
Under the direct supervision of Deputy Director and the ICT Assistant, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision.
Training components
Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, WeLearn.
Information on the Country of Assignment
Living conditions in New York, USA
New York City is composed of five boroughs: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. While Manhattan and Staten Island are islands, Brooklyn and Queens are geographically part of Long Island, and the Bronx is attached to the US mainland. The islands are linked by bridges, tunnels and ferries. A Broad range of rental opportunities exist – living near the UN is pricey. Other areas of NY are more affordable such as some areas of Brooklyn (Flatbush), Staten Island, Bronx and Queens etc or even suburbs outside of the 5 boroughs (New Jersey, Westchester) are also options to consider but travel times and commuter prices increase as well). Transportation costs depend on where you commute. See the MTA site. There are many rental options online.
HQ
United Nations HQ occupies an 18-acre tract of land on Manhattan Island. The site is owned by the United Nations and is international territory. The complex has 5 mine structures that are all connected *GA, Library, South Annex, Conference building (which includes the Security Council, Trusteeship council, and the Secretariat (main 39 storey building). There are several adjacent buildings that house UN offices including DC1, DC2, FF building etc.
Security
The United States is at security level 1 (Minimal) and is considered non-restrictive regarding travel and family accompaniment at the duty station. Currently there are no significant security threats in general nor direct threats to UN personnel or assets within the country. Travelers should be aware of petty crime which may include pick pocketing and street scams, and exercise caution while transiting in public areas as well as when using ATM machines or money exchange tellers.
Terms and Conditions:
Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1,000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, VISA requests and related costs.
WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
Sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters of current WFP employees are not eligible to apply.
Potential candidates must either be US residents, citizens or F-1 (international student visa) and must have OPT (optional Practical Training) authorization.
Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply (OPT required). WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Saving Lives. Changing Lives.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.