Find Paid Jobs and Internships 2025: 20 Hot Roles This Festive Season (From Full-Time Leads to a $5,000 Scholarship)

The holidays are supposed to slow us down. Instead, this season brought a different kind of gift: opportunity. A fresh batch of 20 roles — internships, full-time posts, consultancies, traineeships, even a $5,000 CAD scholarship tied to a tech internship — landed in one curated list. If you want to move from scrolling to applying, this is the list to read.

These openings span continents and sectors: program leads and communications specialists, climate and environmental internships, gender and GBV positions, academic lecturing, and technical co-op programs. Some are paid, some volunteer, and others blend short-term contract work with meaningful experience. Think of this as a holiday buffet for your career — pick a plate that fits your appetite and appetite for change.

Below I walk you through what these roles offer, who they’re best for, how to prioritize your applications, and concrete steps to present yourself like someone they have to interview. I’ll also include a realistic timeline and the exact documents you’ll need to prepare so you can stop guessing and start applying.

At a Glance

Why These Roles Matter Right Now

You could treat these listings as a scattershot job search: apply to everything and hope for the best. Or you can be strategic. Many of these positions are with international agencies and reputable organizations — places that give you transferable experience, a widened network, and stronger resumes. A spring internship at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center looks different on a CV than a generic summer job. Likewise, a Programs and Partnership Lead role based in Calabar could position you as the person who runs multi-district programs in the region.

Some roles are explicitly for early-career applicants — co-op programs, graduate trainee academies, and internships. Others are specialized and senior — senior advisor roles, consultancy contracts, or coordinator positions that require technical leadership. There’s also value in shorter-term packets of experience: a storytelling pool in Kenya or a traineeship in Brussels can give you project-based achievements you can point to during interviews.

Finally, note the timing. Many deadlines fall in the first three weeks of January, which means hiring managers are planning for spring and summer cycles now. If you want to start work between March and June, act fast.

What This Opportunity Offers (Detailed Breakdown)

These 20 openings collectively offer a handful of concrete benefits that make them worth your attention.

First, direct, paid experience. Several listings are explicitly paid (e.g., Smithsonian internship, NYCEDC summer program, the Canada Life + Lime Connect internship with its $5,000 CAD scholarship). Paid opportunities matter — they let you invest time without financial strain and show employers you were selected through a competitive, compensated process.

Second, structured professional development. Programs like the RBC Borealis Technical Co-op and Coronation Graduate Trainee Programme are designed with learning outcomes. You’re not just doing tasks; you’ll get mentorship, training sessions, and a chance to work on projects with measurable deliverables. That accelerates skill acquisition in ways ad-hoc jobs rarely do.

Third, sector-specific credibility. Roles with UNFCCC, GIZ, UNAIDS, and Conservation International offer experience with international policy, program design, and grant-linked projects. These are the kinds of positions that let you say, with specificity, what you worked on — and that clarity matters in future hiring rounds.

Fourth, leadership and management exposure. Senior and coordinator positions (GBV Coordinator, Programs & Partnerships Lead, Senior Advisor SOGIESC) require strategy, stakeholder management, and often representation at high-level meetings. These postings are for people ready to influence program direction rather than only execute tasks.

Fifth, portfolio-building opportunities. Content Officer roles, storyteller assignments, and research positions allow you to produce demonstrable outputs — articles, campaign materials, evaluation reports — that you can show during interviews and in applications.

If you want a taste of international development, public policy, tech co-ops, or academic roles, this list has options that can quickly build credibility.

Who Should Apply (Real-World Examples)

Let’s be blunt: not every role fits everyone. Below are the best-fit profiles for the major clusters of roles, written like you’re talking to a hiring-minded mentor.

• Early-career tech and engineering students: If you’re in computer science or systems engineering and want applied experience, the RBC Borealis Technical Co-op Program or the Canada Life DevOps internship are prime targets. These programs expect technical curiosity, the ability to work in teams, and a learning mindset. Example: a third-year computer science student with coursework in cloud computing and a small GitHub portfolio.

• Recent graduates aiming for public service: The NYCEDC internship and Coronation Graduate Trainee Programme suit graduates who want structured exposure to policy, economic development, or corporate trainee pipelines. Example: a BA in public administration who wants to test public service before committing to a master’s.

• Environmental communicators and educators: The Smithsonian SERC internship and UNFCCC internship are ideal if you care about environmental education, outreach, or science communication. Example: a graduate with volunteer experience at a local nature center and a portfolio of educational materials.

• Gender, rights, and GBV specialists: The GBV Coordinator, Senior Advisor SOGIESC, and UNAIDS gender consultancy are for people with program design, evaluation, or advocacy experience in gender-based work. Example: a mid-career practitioner with experience designing community-level GBV programs and managing donor reporting.

• Storytellers and content creators: Amref’s Country Storytellers and the Content Officer role are for people who can transform field-level data into engaging narratives. Example: a journalist who has produced multimedia stories about community health programs.

• Academics and educators: The Stanford Lecturer post in Financial Literacy is a unique academic teaching role that suits experienced instructors or early-career academics with strong teaching portfolios in finance or decision-making.

• Career pivoters and volunteers: Youth ambassador and traineeship programs (ONE Youth Ambassadors, Brussels traineeship) are for passionate people ready to volunteer or intern for a year to gain advocacy and policy experience.

If you match the role’s core functions and can cite specific examples of past work, apply. If you’re borderline, show momentum: relevant coursework, volunteer projects, certificates, or short-term freelance tasks can close the gap.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application (Practical and Tactical)

1. Tailor your application to the role’s deliverables, not the organization’s mission statement. Hiring managers want to know how you’ll contribute in month one and month six. For a Programs & Partnerships Lead, describe a program plan for your first 90 days: stakeholder mapping, schools to partner with, quick wins. For a storyteller role, include three short portfolio pieces with metrics (read time, shares, uptake).

2. Use quantified achievements. Don’t say “improved outreach”; say “increased workshop attendance from 40 to 120 participants in six months.” Numbers make your contribution concrete and memorable.

3. Write a mini-case study in your cover letter for senior roles. For coordinator or advisor positions, summarize one project you led, the problem, the actions you took, and the measurable result in 3-4 short paragraphs. Treat it like evidence rather than self-praise.

4. Prepare targeted references before applying. Let them know which jobs you’ll be applying for and which competencies you want them to highlight (e.g., grant writing, program management, stakeholder engagement). A calibrated reference beats a lukewarm general one.

5. Build a role-specific portfolio. For communications and research roles, your portfolio is often the fastest path to an interview. Include 2–5 pieces, brief context, your role, and impact. Host them on a simple Google Drive or personal site and include the link in your CV.

6. Apply early in the cycle and follow submission instructions to the letter. Many international organizations treat deadline adherence as a proxy for reliability. Upload files in the requested formats, and if they ask for a single PDF, don’t submit separate docs.

7. For international positions, acknowledge visa logistics and relocation realities in your application if relevant. If you need sponsorship, be transparent and highlight flexibility (remote availability, flexible start date). Employers appreciate practical honesty rather than last-minute surprises.

8. If a role lists desired languages or local knowledge, include a one-line example of on-the-ground experience (e.g., “Facilitated community workshops in Kiswahili in Nairobi county”).

9. Mirror language from the job description in your CV and cover letter — but do it genuinely. If the JD emphasizes partnership building and fundraising, ensure those exact phrases appear with examples.

10. For consultancy RFPs, read the deliverables and propose a realistic workplan and budget. Break down days, milestones, and expected outputs. A precise, modest proposal usually beats an inflated one.

Application Timeline (Working Backward)

Many deadlines fall between late December and late January. Here’s a realistic schedule that helps you avoid last-minute scrambles.

• Today to Day 3: Choose up to five roles to prioritize. Don’t apply to everything. Select roles you can credibly explain in interviews.

• Day 4–10: Draft role-specific cover letters and CV edits. Prepare or update portfolios and writing samples. Contact references and let them know the roles and deadlines.

• Day 11–14: Polish application documents. Have a trusted colleague or mentor read your cover letter and CV. Run PDF conversions and ensure files are under any stated size limits.

• Submit at least 48 hours before each deadline. For roles with Dec 27 deadlines, that means submitting by Dec 25 — yes, over the holiday. Don’t wait.

• After submission: Track your applications in a simple spreadsheet (role, org, deadline, date submitted, contact person, next follow-up). Plan a two-week follow-up if you haven’t heard anything after the stated decision timeline.

This is a high-volume cycle; applying early increases your odds of being noticed.

Required Materials (What to Prepare and How to Present It)

Different roles ask for different things, but the following documents cover most applications. Prepare them in advance so you can assemble tailored packages quickly.

• CV / Resume: One or two pages for early-career; two to three pages for senior roles. Use bullet points for achievements and start each with an action verb.

• Cover Letter / Motivation Statement: Tailor to the role. For internships, explain what you hope to learn. For senior roles, summarize leadership results.

• Portfolio / Writing Samples: 2–5 pieces. For content or storytelling roles include context and metrics.

• Academic Transcripts or Proof of Enrollment: Often required for internships and co-op programs.

• References or Letters of Recommendation: Check whether the process asks for names and contact details or full letters.

• Technical Attachments: Project plans, monitoring frameworks, or sample deliverables for consultancy RFPs.

• Identification & Work Authorization Proof: Passport scan, visa status, or documentation universities require for co-ops.

• Certifications: First aid, safeguarding training, data protection, or language certificates where relevant.

Preparation advice: assemble master versions of each document. For every application, create a cleaned, tailored subset. Name files clearly (e.g., Firstname_Lastname_CV_RBC2026.pdf).

What Makes an Application Stand Out (How Reviewers Decide)

Review panels and hiring managers usually consider three or four factors. Here’s what really moves the needle.

• Evidence of impact. Demonstrable results beat excellent intentions. Show how your past work changed an outcome.

• Fit between skills and deliverables. The closer your documented skills align with the tasks listed, the better. If the job needs program monitoring, show examples of M&E work.

• Clarity of communication. If your cover letter reads smoothly and your CV is scannable, it signals you can present findings clearly — a must in NGOs and policy roles.

• Cultural and contextual awareness. International roles often require local stakeholder engagement. Show familiarity with local norms and systems.

• Feasibility and realism. For consultancies and senior roles, present realistic timelines and budgets. Hiring managers prefer candidates who set feasible expectations.

• Learning orientation and mentorship potential. For trainee programs, show how you’ll accept feedback and grow. Programs invest in people they think will stay curious.

If you can package these elements into concise documents, your application will be hard to ignore.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

1. Generic Cover Letters: Rework your letter to address the specific role and one or two key achievements. Use the organization’s priorities as the frame, not your life story.

2. Over-stuffed CVs: Keep descriptions tight and relevant. Remove unrelated early jobs or turn them into a single “other experience” line.

3. Missing Supporting Documents: Check the job ad twice for attachments. If they ask for transcripts and you upload only a CV, you might be screened out.

4. Ignoring Word Limits: Some application portals truncate long answers. Respect character counts and answer precisely.

5. Failing to Quantify: Replace vague verbs with metrics. Instead of “helped increase engagement,” say “grew engagement by 150% over six months.”

6. Late Submission: Technical glitches happen. Submit at least two days early to avoid portal errors and time-zone confusion.

Fixes are straightforward — plan, tailor, and proofread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are these roles all open to international applicants? A: It depends. Internships with international agencies often accept global applicants, though some positions require local residency or work authorization due to funding or project constraints. Always read the eligibility section on the specific job posting.

Q: Do unpaid volunteer postings matter on my CV? A: Yes — if they demonstrate skills relevant to the role you want. Describe tangible outputs and responsibilities, not just time served.

Q: How many roles should I apply to? A: Focus on quality over quantity. Prioritize three to five roles where you meet most requirements and can present strong evidence of fit.

Q: How do I handle ongoing or rolling deadlines? A: Apply early. For positions marked “ongoing,” hiring may be continuous. Contact the HR or recruiting email for clarity on selection windows.

Q: What if I need visa sponsorship? A: State your status in the application where relevant. If sponsorship is needed and not offered, ask whether remote work is possible or whether local affiliates exist.

Q: Will I get feedback if I’m not selected? A: Many organizations don’t provide individualized feedback due to volume, but some programs (especially graduate traineeships) do offer general feedback. If you’re seriously interested, politely ask HR for advice if you’re rejected.

Q: How long before I hear back? A: Response times vary widely — from a few weeks for internships to several months for senior positions. The job posting often indicates a timeline.

Q: Can I apply to multiple roles at the same organization? A: Often yes, but check the organization’s policy. If permitted, ensure each application is tailored and not identical.

Next Steps — How to Apply

Ready to act? Here’s a step-by-step playbook.

1. Choose your top 3 roles from this list and mark their deadlines. Immediate priority: Programs & Partnerships Lead and Admin & Office Assistant (both Dec 27 deadlines).

2. Prepare or update the documents listed above: CV, tailored cover letters, portfolio links, and references.

3. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline. Keep screenshots or confirmation emails.

4. Track your applications in a simple spreadsheet: position, org, date submitted, contact, next milestone.

5. If you don’t hear back within the stated timeframe, send a polite follow-up after two weeks.

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page to access full job descriptions and the application portal: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/287111

If you want, tell me which three roles you’re targeting and paste your current CV or a job description. I’ll help you draft a targeted cover letter and pull a short, compelling mini-case study you can include. Consider that my seasonal gift to your job hunt.