Internship at the United Nations Headquarters

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various fields, including humanitarian assistance, human rights, and sustainable development, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering international collaboration.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is offered by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) within the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG). The primary focus of this role is to support the implementation of the SDGs by engaging in various activities that promote stakeholder collaboration and capacity building. Interns will gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment, contributing to both in-person and virtual events, including intergovernmental conferences, webinars, and training sessions. The role provides an opportunity to engage in research, analysis, and document drafting, while collaborating with diverse stakeholders from different sectors and regions. Interns will be integral to the team, participating in real-time negotiations and projects, thereby enhancing their organizational and political skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to: drafting concept notes for events aimed at mobilizing stakeholders towards SDG engagement; contributing to stakeholder engagement strategies by compiling and summarizing inputs from consultations; assisting in the organization of both in-person and virtual events, including preparing agendas and background materials; monitoring live exchanges during events; drafting public information materials; reviewing SDG partnerships and following up on their implementation; supporting research for papers and reports related to the SDGs; attending intergovernmental meetings and preparing summaries; providing general virtual office support; and assisting staff with outreach and website content updates. Interns may also engage in ad hoc activities related to the SDGs as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). Additionally, candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications. While professional work experience is not required, knowledge of sustainable development issues is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in the UN's work and a commitment to its ideals, as well as the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate program or in their final year of undergraduate studies, indicating a strong academic background relevant to the internship. This educational requirement ensures that interns possess the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the UN's mission and activities.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should demonstrate relevant academic experience or involvement in projects related to sustainable development, international relations, or similar fields. This experience can be gained through academic coursework, volunteer work, or participation in relevant extracurricular activities.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for the internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is expected to last between 2 to 6 months, with flexible work arrangements available, including fully remote, hybrid, or part-time options. Interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations, and they are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Candidates must submit a completed online application, including a Cover Note and Personal History Profile, detailing their academic program, graduation date, IT skills, areas of interest, and reasons for applying. Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.