Intern for Security Institutions

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is located within the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Section of the Office of Rule of Law and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of the United Nations. The DDR Section provides planning and operational support to DDR programmes and community violence reduction in various peacekeeping operations, including missions in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Libya, and the African Union. Established in 2007, OROLIS aims to strengthen coordination in police, justice, corrections, mine action, and security sector reform.

Job Overview:
The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. Interns will engage in various tasks that support the DDR Section's mission, including drafting documents, conducting research, and assisting in communication efforts. The position offers flexibility in work arrangements, allowing for remote, hybrid, or in-person participation at the UN premises in New York. Interns will gain insights into the workings of the UN and contribute to meaningful projects that impact peacekeeping efforts globally. The internship is unpaid and can be either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week), with a duration of three months and a possibility of extension to six months based on the needs of the Division.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: assisting in drafting briefing notes, reports, and internal documents; conducting research on current developments related to DDR in assigned countries; supporting the Inter-Agency Working Group on DDR; assisting in the development and dissemination of communication materials; maintaining fact sheets and information repositories on peacekeeping missions; attending conferences and meetings relevant to the DDR Section; providing verbal or written briefings; assisting with administrative tasks, including organizing meetings; and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants should also possess good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. The ability to draft news articles and social media posts is desirable, as is the ability to design surveys and polls.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme. Proof of enrollment or completion must be provided with the application. The educational background should ideally be in a field related to international relations, peace studies, or a similar discipline that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship.

Experience:
While no prior professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should demonstrate relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the duties of the position. This could include research projects, volunteer work, or other internships in related fields.

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

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. The organization encourages applications from female candidates and is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Applicants must provide a motivational statement detailing their interest in the internship, their degree title, graduation date, and reasons for being the best candidate for the position.