OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) 2021 Internship Programme for International Students

The OPEC Fund offers an Internship Program enabling students from diverse academic backgrounds to experience work with an international organization.  

The Internship Program runs for between two and six months and is designed to: 

• Provide a framework to support students assigned to any OPEC Fund department so that the focus remains on enriching the student’s experience; 
• Provide an immersive experience so that students gain practical experience of working for an international organization; and
• Provide the opportunity for students to understand the OPEC Fund’s vision, mission and related values.

Interns are assigned to different departments/units depending on their interests and qualifications, and according to departmental needs. The Internship Program offers opportunities to focus on one or more of the following: public sector operations; private sector and trade finance operations; grants; financial management; risk management; strategic planning and economic services; internal audit; human resources; administration; communication; legal services; and information technology.

Work assignments undertaken by interns may include:

• Conducting research;
• Writing documents;
• Organizing information; and
• Assisting employees with their day-to-day work.

• Table of Content
• About OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)
• OFID Internship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of OFID Internship Programme
• Requirements for OFID Internship Programme Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental Organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 1014, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The five Founding Members were later joined by: Qatar (1961) terminated its membership in January 2019; Indonesia (1962) suspended its membership in January 2009, reactivated it in January 2016, but decided to suspend it again in November 2016; Libya (1962); United Arab Emirates (1967); Algeria (1969); Nigeria (1971); Ecuador (1973) suspended its membership in December 1992, rea... continue reading

OFID Internship Programme

Aim and Benefits of OFID Internship Programme

As the program is intended to be a learning experience, the interns will not receive any remuneration whatsoever, including reimbursement of costs of visas, travel, accommodation and living expenses, as well as any transportation costs incurred in connection with their commuting to OFID’s Headquarters during the program.

Requirements for OFID Internship Programme Qualification

Applicants must be between 19 to 25 years of age and enrolled in an undergraduate program (having completed at least two years) or graduate program. Alternatively, applicants may be recent graduates, having graduated a maximum of one year before the application deadline.

Applicants must be:

• Proficient in English. Knowledge of an additional language (e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic) is an asset;
• Computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office);
• Keenly interested in the work of the OPEC Fund;
• Able to demonstrate cultural awareness; and
• Able to demonstrate the OPEC Fund’s core values (Integrity, Empowerment, Excellence, Innovation, Community).

Documents Required for Application

Candidates must submit:

• The online application form;
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• A copy of their university diploma or equivalent, or an original letter of confirmation from a university/school certifying the applicant is / was an undergraduate student;
• A copy of their most recent university transcripts, showing the cumulative GPA or equivalent; and
• A short statement in English (about 150-250 words) outlining their motivation for applying.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Successful candidates must be able to present a valid health or medical insurance policy for Austria or a similar certificate proving he / she will be fully covered from a medical perspective for the duration of the program. 

Due to a large volume of applications, the OPEC Fund will only enter into further correspondence with shortlisted candidates.

Please keep in mind:

• All applications must be in English;
• Please upload the statement and transcripts under the ‘Additional documents’ section of the application form; and
• Please answer all the questions on the application form.

For more details, visit OFID website.