Internship in the Office of Military Affairs

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 nations. The UN operates in various countries around the world, focusing on a wide range of issues including human rights, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development. The Office of Military Affairs (OMA) is part of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), which is dedicated to managing and supporting peace operations globally. The DPO serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to, and managing conflict, as well as sustaining peace in regions where peace operations are deployed. The UN employs thousands of individuals across various departments and offices, working collaboratively to address global challenges and foster international cooperation.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located within the Office of Military Affairs (OMA) of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) at the United Nations. This internship is designed to provide students and recent graduates with practical experience in the field of peace operations and military affairs. The incumbent will report to the Peacekeeping Affairs Officer (Military Strategic Communications) and other Desk Officers as required. The internship is flexible, allowing for either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week) engagement, and can be conducted remotely or in a hybrid arrangement at the UN premises in New York. The intern will be expected to support various communication and outreach initiatives, contributing to the UN's mission of promoting peace and security. This role will involve working on social media campaigns, preparing presentations, organizing events, and developing communication materials that highlight the UN's efforts in peace operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the intern will vary based on their background and the specific office they are assigned to. Key responsibilities may include: supporting social media campaigns; preparing presentations and audiovisual content; organizing events; updating web pages; developing communication materials based on best practices; creating social media content for platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn; monitoring information environments relevant to UN field missions; conducting research and creating resource guides; proofreading documents; assisting in editing and drafting messages, reports, and articles; gathering social media content at events; contributing to internal communications; and supporting messaging materials for OMA leadership. The intern may also assist with special projects as assigned, providing a comprehensive learning experience in the field of military affairs and peace operations.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (a) be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (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 must demonstrate proficiency in 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 capability to develop strategic communications campaigns.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be pursuing or have completed a degree in a relevant field, such as communications, international relations, political science, or a related discipline. Applicants should be in their final year of a bachelor's degree program, or enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Proof of enrollment or completion will be required during the application process.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not a prerequisite for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This internship is particularly suited for students or recent graduates looking to gain practical experience in international relations, communications, or peace operations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this 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 asset and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and is expected to last for six months. Interns may work either full-time or part-time, with flexible start and end dates. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity within its staff, and encourages female candidates to apply. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates should be cautious of any fraudulent activities related to job offers.