Discover | International Organisations

Discover | International Organisations is our careers programme for LSE students looking to understand what different international organisations do, how they are structured, and what they might be looking for in applicants.

As well as showcasing useful resources and opportunities throughout the year, Discover | International Organisations features a series of careers events where you can hear from employers who are especially keen to meet with LSE students. These events will include in-person and online sessions like employer information presentations with student Q&As, panel discussions, and careers fair-style stalls to facilitate networking opportunities.

At the heart of this programme is our flagship ‘Discover International Organisations Day’ – a day-long, on-campus event where you can attend employer recruitment presentations, enjoy panel discussions featuring representatives from across the sector and speak to employers during morning and afternoon fair sessions.

Read on to find out how our Discover | International Organisations programme can support you in your career planning.

What's on: Browse the full timetable of events for LSE students

This year’s Discover | International Organisations events will primarily take place in Autumn Term.

View upcoming Discover | International Organisations events on CareerHub.


Organisations: Check out which organisations are attending this year’s events

The following organisations are scheduled to join us for Discover International Organisations Day on Saturday 11 November 2023:

  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Website: jobs.ebrd.com

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established to help build a new, post-Cold War era in Central and Eastern Europe. It has since played a historic role and gained unique expertise in fostering change in the region - and beyond - investing more than €180 billion in over 6,800 projects. Through our projects, business services and involvement in high-level policy reform, we're doing more than ever before across three continents.

  • UN World Food Programme (WFP)

Website: wfp.org/careers

UN World Food Programme (WFP) 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.

  • The World Bank Group

Website: worldbank.org/en/about/careers

With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. Our vision is to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

Example opportunities: Climate Change Specialists, Economists, Finance Officers, Investment Officers, IT Analysts, Operations Officers. (Minimum of a bachelor's degree and two years of relevant professional experience.)

  • UNICEF

Website: jobs.unicef.org/en-us/listing

  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Website: careers.unido.org

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development.

Our mandate is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, but UNIDO’s activities contribute to all the SDGs.

UNIDO’s vision is a world without poverty and hunger, where industry drives low-emission economies, improves living standards, and preserves the livable environment for present and future generations, leaving no one behind.

  • United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV)

Website: app.unv.org

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme provides over 12,000 opportunities annually for the global citizen to volunteer with United Nations organizations, funds, and programmes in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In-person (onsite) volunteering opportunities are full-time professional commitments for an average of 12-24 months. Volunteers receive allowances and other benefits to ensure they can maintain a modest but secure standard of living at their duty station. Online (virtual) volunteering is informal, part-time, and short-term. It therefore comes without any financial compensation.

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

Website: aiib.org/en/opportunities/career/index

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrow - infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and have since grown to 106 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized up to USD100 billion and Triple-A-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Working with partners, AIIB meets clients’ needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.

AIIB’s Graduate Program is a two-year rotational program to recruit and develop a team of outstanding talents at the early stage of their career to contribute to the realization of AIIB’s mission. Young talents who qualify for the program will have an opportunity to contribute to international development and sustainable infrastructure investment, while growing their career with AIIB and helping to create a prosperous and sustainable Asia.

In addition we will be recruiting for a variety of opportunities for early, mid-career, and experienced levels across a variety of disciplines. Please visit our careers page for further information.

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Website: jobs.undp.org/cj_view_jobs.cfm

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Website: unhcr.org/careers-unhcr

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR’s staff work in 130 countries around the world, from major capitals to remote and often dangerous locations, using their expertise to protect and care for millions of people. Wherever refugees arrive, UNHCR works closely with governments to ensure the 1951 Refugee Convention is honored.

  • United Nations Population Fund, London Representation Office (UNFPA)

Website: unfpa.org

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

We promote gender equality and empower women, girls and young people to take control of their bodies and their futures. We work with partners in more than 150 countries to provide access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. Our goal is ending unmet need for family planning, preventable maternal death, and gender-based violence and harmful practices including child marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

  • European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

Website: esm.europa.eu

The European Stability Mechanism is an intergovernmental organisation established by member states of the euro area in 2012. Its mission is to enable the countries of the euro area to avoid and overcome financial crises and to maintain long-term financial stability and prosperity.

The ESM carries out this mission by providing loans and other types of financial assistance to member states that are experiencing or are threatened by severe financial distress. In other words, the ESM acts as a “lender of last resort” for euro area countries when they are unable to refinance their government debt in financial markets at sustainable rates. The ESM raises funds for its financial assistance through the sale of bonds and bills to investors.

  • African Development Bank (AfDB)

Website: afdb.org/en/about-careers/current-vacancies

The African Development Bank Group (the Bank) is the premier pan-African development institution promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. It is composed of 81 member states, including 54 Regional Member Countries (African Countries) and 27 non-regional member countries.

The Bank mobilises and allocates resources to African countries, individually and collectively, for investment in public and private capital projects and programmes. To ensure greater developmental impacts and accelerate the implementation of its Ten-Year Strategy (2013 to 2022), the Bank’s operational focus has been placed on the High Fives: powering Africa, feeding Africa, industrializing Africa, integrating Africa, and improving the quality of life of Africans.

  • UN World Food Programme (WFP)

Website: wfp.org/careers

The United Nations 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.

WFP is always looking for Interns who are currently enrolled in a recognized university or graduated in the last six months.  There are also opportunities for consultants and fixed term staff. All roles go through a competitive process and can be found on our careers site.

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Website: oecd.org/careers/apply

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries that works to build better policies for better lives.

Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies.

The OECD seeks to recruit talented individuals with excellent academic achievements, professional credentials, and a successful record of demonstrated performance and results. Candidates from different backgrounds are welcome to apply as we seek to broaden and enrich our knowledge base and staff diversity. Opportunities are available in Policy Research, Analysis and Advice as well as in Corporate Management and Administration.

Career opportunities particularly relevant to students: Internship Programme and Young Associates Programme.

  • EU Institutions (EPSO)

Website: epso.europa.eu/en

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) selects staff for all EU institutions and agencies through generalist and specialist competitions. Year round, we offer a variety of career opportunities for people from all backgrounds.

We offer opportunities for both young graduates and for experienced professionals.

  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Website: iom.int/careers

The International Organization for Migration is the leading inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with a presence in over 100 countries, and supporting 175 member states to improve migration management. In 2021, IOM´s work on the mobility dimensions of crisis reached 31.7 million persons. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, be they refugees, displaced persons or other uprooted people.

Example opportunities include P-1s, P-2s, Consultants, Ungraded Contracts, JPOs, UNVs.

  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Website: imf.org/jobs

The IMF was established in 1944 in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. 44 founding member countries sought to build a framework for international economic cooperation. Today, its membership embraces 190 countries, with staff drawn from 150 nations.

Example opportunities include: Economists (PhD); Research Analysts (bachelor's); Interns (enrolled in Economics PhD).

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Website: adb.org/work-with-us/careers

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines, and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

We are looking for professionals who are interested in a career in development in the following areas: Counsel, Economics, Education, Energy, Evaluation, Financial Management, Human Resources, Investment, Information Technology, Procurement, Risk Management, Safeguards, Social Development (Safeguards), Transport, Urban Development, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management, Water Resource Management, Water Supply and Sanitation. 

Qualifications needed:

- Minimum six years' relevant experience

- University degree

- Excellent communication and people skills

- International experience

- Leadership and management skills

- Specialization, core area of expertise

 

Prepare: Browse our top tips for making the most of the events

Joining our Discover | International Organisations events? Make the most of your time by following the tips below...

  1. Do your research
  2. Know what's on offer
  3. Ask questions
  4. Plan your environment and dress appropriately
  5. Take notes - they might be useful in future applications
  6. Update your CV
  7. Follow up after the events - follow speakers on Linkedin



Online tools, resources, and job opportunities

Check out other LSE Careers resources relevant to working in international organisations

Found our Discover | International Organisations sessions insightful and wondering what's next? Or waiting for next year's events?

Here are some related LSE Careers resources you might like to check out:

Talk to one of our careers consultants

Get confidential one-to-one guidance from one of our professional and dedicated team of careers consultants.

Our consultants can help with:

  • careers advice and planning;
  • CV, cover letter and application form feedback;
  • practice interviews;
  • specialist careers support for disabled students and PhD students.

Read about different types of careers appointments online

Book a careers appointment on CareerHub

Gain new skills at our career skills workshops

Throughout the year we provide a range of events to equip you with the skills to succeed including:

  • CV, cover letter and application workshops;
  • mock assessment centres;
  • sector insights;
  • seminars on case studies and psychometric tests.

Browse all of our events on CareerHub

Browse jobs and opportunities in international organisations