Intern - Electoral Assistance Division

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 fields including human rights, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi, among other locations.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is offered by the Electoral Assistance Division (EAD) within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) at the United Nations Headquarters. The EAD plays a crucial role in supporting the UN's electoral assistance efforts globally. Interns will engage in a variety of tasks that contribute to the division's mission of ensuring effective electoral processes in member states. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field of electoral assistance, allowing interns to gain insights into the workings of the UN and the complexities of international electoral processes. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced professionals and contribute to meaningful projects that support democratic governance and electoral integrity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be involved in a range of activities, including but not limited to: assisting in drafting and preparing official documents and correspondence such as background papers, talking points, briefing materials, and speeches; attending and taking notes during trainings, conferences, and meetings; assisting with preparations and logistics for these events; conducting research and media analysis; compiling statistics on various topics; supporting the maintenance of the EAD institutional memory database; gathering and analyzing country-specific information; creating dashboards and reports; performing ad-hoc data analysis and presenting results clearly; designing infographics and visual materials to accompany reports and presentations; and explaining electoral data in accessible formats. The specific duties may vary based on the intern's background, the nature of ongoing projects, and the duration of the internship.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants are not required to have prior professional work experience, but they must be pursuing or have completed a degree closely related to the internship. A strong knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, is essential. Experience with visual design tools such as Power BI or Adobe Illustrator is also beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students 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 must be provided with the application. The field of study should be relevant to the internship, such as political science, international relations, or a related discipline.

Experience:
While no professional experience is required, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. This may include research projects, volunteer work, or other internships that demonstrate a commitment to the field of electoral assistance or international relations.

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

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week, although part-time arrangements (20 hours per week) and remote work may be considered based on the successful candidate's needs. The expected duration of the internship is three months, with the possibility of extension to six months. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Applicants must provide a motivational statement detailing their interest in the internship, their degree program, and their qualifications. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and all costs related to travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.