Intern for Security Institutions

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is located within the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Branch of the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The PBPSO was established in late 2025 to enhance the United Nations' capacity to prevent conflict and sustain peace. It supports various peacebuilding initiatives across the conflict continuum, including early warning, crisis response, and post-mission engagement. The DDR Branch specifically focuses on providing planning and operational support to DDR processes, which include community violence reduction and weapons and ammunition management in several peacekeeping operations, such as MINUSCA, MONUSCO, and UNMISS. The organization aims to strengthen peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security globally through effective coordination and support mechanisms.

Job Overview:
The Intern for Security Institutions will play a crucial role in supporting the DDR Branch's mission by assisting in various tasks that contribute to the overall objectives of the organization. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field of disarmament and peacebuilding, allowing the intern to engage with current developments in DDR processes. The intern will be expected to work in a hybrid mode, spending four days in the office and one day working remotely. This position is ideal for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in international relations, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution. The internship is unpaid and can be either full-time or part-time, with the possibility of extension based on the needs of the Branch. The intern will be involved in drafting reports, conducting research, and supporting coordination mechanisms related to DDR activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: assisting in drafting and reviewing briefing notes, reports, and other internal documents; conducting research on current developments related to DDR in assigned countries; supporting DDR-related coordination mechanisms, including the Inter-Agency Working Group on DDR; assisting in the design, preparation, and logistical arrangements of capacity-building activities; developing and disseminating communication and public information materials; maintaining fact sheets and other information repositories on peacekeeping missions; attending conferences and meetings relevant to the DDR Branch and providing verbal or written briefings; assisting with administrative tasks within the DDR Branch, including organizing meetings; and performing any other duties as requested 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 for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants should 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 must 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 ideally be in fields related to international relations, political science, peace studies, or other relevant disciplines that align with the responsibilities of the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required, candidates should demonstrate relevant academic experience or internships that relate to disarmament, peacebuilding, or international relations. The internship is designed for individuals who are eager to learn and contribute to the UN's mission without prior professional experience in the field.

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 expected to last for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension up to six months depending on the needs of the Branch. Interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents may need to obtain a G-4 visa to undertake the internship. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Additionally, the UN does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.