Internship at the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET) was established on January 1, 202

• Its mission is to advise the senior leadership of the United Nations on key trends in technology, guiding the strategic approach of the Organization on these issues. UNODET serves as an advocate and focal point for digital cooperation, engaging with Member States, the technology industry, civil society, and other stakeholders. The office facilitates multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on digital and emerging technologies and strengthens system-wide coordination within the United Nations system on these topics. UNODET also supports the follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact, working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups to accelerate global digital cooperation and mitigate risks associated with technology, all while striving to achieve the Goals by 2030.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UNODET is designed to provide valuable experience in the fields of digital policy and stakeholder engagement. Interns will have the opportunity to work on two distinct tracks: Research Digital Policy and Technical Content, or Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Coordination. Interns in the Research track will support the drafting, editing, and structuring of high-quality technical reports and presentations, conduct background research, and assist with technical editing and content architecture. Those in the Stakeholder Engagement track will focus on implementing the Global Digital Compact, engaging stakeholders across sectors, planning public information events, and developing content for the GDC online platform. This internship is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic international environment, contributing to significant global initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will have specific duties based on their chosen track. For Track 1 (Research Digital Policy and Technical Content), responsibilities include supporting the drafting and editing of technical reports, conducting background research on digital policy, assisting with technical editing, and contributing to the integration of technical content in digital formats. For Track 2 (Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Coordination), interns will engage stakeholders to promote awareness of the Global Digital Compact, plan public information events, develop and curate content for the GDC online platform, collect and organize data, monitor developments in relevant UN mechanisms, and contribute to system-wide UN coordination on digital and emerging technologies.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent). Additionally, familiarity with technological governance, strong research and data management skills, and experience with website content management and digital communication platforms are desired. Excellent organizational, event planning, and communication skills are also essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
For Track 1, candidates should be graduate students (Master’s or PhD) in fields such as Computer Science, Technology Governance, Data Governance, or Information Technology. For Track 2, candidates should be graduate students (Master’s) in International Relations, Political Affairs, Law, Economics, Public or Business Administration, Technology Governance, Data Governance, Internet Governance, Communications, Media Studies, or Sociology. A strong academic background in a relevant field is crucial for this internship.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for applicants to the UN Internship Programme, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship type they are applying for. This means that relevant academic experience or coursework is essential to ensure that interns can effectively contribute to the work of UNODET.

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

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Additionally, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.