Intern in the Information Integrity Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the United Nations, an international organization founded in 1945, with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. The UN operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 44,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering international collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
This internship is situated within the Information Integrity Unit of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), which is part of the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DEPT) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The primary focus of the unit is to support peacekeeping missions in combating harmful speech, including misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, which pose risks to the safety of peacekeepers and the successful execution of their mandates. The intern will work closely with the Senior Programme Management Officer and will be involved in various tasks aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through research, analysis, and the development of strategic communications. The internship is designed to be full-time, requiring 35 hours per week, but can be adjusted to part-time or remote work based on the candidate's needs. The internship is unpaid and can last between two to six months, with the possibility of extension depending on the division's requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: conducting research on issues related to misinformation and hate speech; monitoring and analyzing information environments within peacekeeping contexts using digital platforms; assisting in the production and review of policies, papers, and other documents; preparing reports, concept papers, and policy documents; developing strategic communications and visual presentations; attending conferences and meetings to take notes; servicing conferences and meetings; managing databases; and performing other duties as required by the unit.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must be students in their final year of a bachelor's degree, or enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. While professional work experience is not mandatory, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship, such as political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, communications, media studies, journalism, or data science. Desirable qualifications include experience in policy development, research, and analysis, as well as the ability to create training materials and presentations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be pursuing or have completed a degree in a relevant field, such as political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, communications, media and information studies, journalism, or data science. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of the issues addressed by the Information Integrity Unit.

Experience:
While prior professional experience is not required for this internship, any relevant experience in research, policy development, or communications will be considered advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to conduct thorough research and analysis, as well as their familiarity with the development of strategic communications and presentations.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and candidates are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The United Nations emphasizes gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Applicants who have previously interned for six months in the UN Common System or are related to current UN staff members are ineligible. The application process requires a complete online application, including a motivational statement detailing the candidate's degree, graduation date, and reasons for applying. The internship can be adjusted in terms of hours and location based on the successful candidate's needs.