Intern for Security Institutions

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Secretariat, established in 1945, is an international organization that aims to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. It operates in multiple countries around the world, with a mission to address global challenges and foster international collaboration. The organization employs thousands of staff members and is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity within its workforce. The Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), which oversees the internship, was established in 2007 to enhance coordination in areas such as police, justice, corrections, and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants.

Job Overview:
The internship position is located within the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Section of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The DDR Section is responsible for providing planning and operational support to DDR programs and community violence reduction in various peacekeeping operations. Interns will be expected to assist in drafting and reviewing documents, conducting research on DDR developments, supporting inter-agency working groups, and developing communication materials. The internship is offered in a hybrid mode, requiring four days in the office and one day of remote work, with the possibility of extending the internship duration from three to six months based on the needs of the division.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will have a range of responsibilities, including: assisting in drafting and reviewing briefing notes, reports, and internal documents; conducting research on current developments related to DDR in assigned countries; supporting the work of the Inter-Agency Working Group on DDR; assisting in the development and dissemination of communication and public information materials; maintaining fact sheets and information repositories on peacekeeping missions; attending conferences and meetings relevant to the DDR Section and providing 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 program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or 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 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 students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in or have completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Proof of enrollment or completion must be provided with the application. The educational background should be relevant to the internship, ideally in fields related to international relations, peace studies, or similar disciplines.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, applicants should demonstrate relevant academic knowledge and skills that align with the responsibilities of the position. Experience in research, writing, or communication within a related field will be advantageous.

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 may be either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week). The expected duration is three months, with a possibility of extension to six months. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates should be aware of their visa requirements before accepting an internship offer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and applicants with previous UN internship experience or familial connections to UN staff members are ineligible.