Political Affairs Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Secretariat is an international organization founded in 1945, with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. It employs over 37,000 staff members from various countries and operates in multiple regions around the world, addressing global challenges through diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, and development initiatives. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity within its workforce, ensuring that its staff reflects the diversity of the global population.

Job Overview:
The Political intern" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Affairs Intern will play a crucial role in supporting the Northern Africa Division (NAD) within the joint regional structure of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). This division is responsible for monitoring and reporting on significant political developments in countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. The intern will assist in analyzing political and security developments, contributing to reports, and preparing communication materials. The internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in political affairs, with a focus on the implementation of mandates related to peace operations and special political missions. The intern will work under the supervision of a Political Affairs Officer and will be expected to engage in various tasks that enhance their understanding of international relations and political analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Political Affairs Intern will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including: monitoring and analyzing key political and security developments in the Northern Africa region; contributing to the preparation of reports and other documentation based on situation reports, press clippings, and media coverage; conducting social media monitoring to gather relevant information; summarizing key public and academic articles related to the Division's work; assisting in the creation of communication materials, including presentations; participating in meetings and drafting minutes or summaries; conducting individual research assignments and contributing to briefing materials; supporting the Division’s innovation initiatives; and performing any other duties as assigned by the supervisor. This role requires a proactive approach and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must be currently enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). While professional work experience is not mandatory for the UN Internship Programme, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Applicants must demonstrate their qualifications by providing proof of enrollment or completion of their degree. Additionally, candidates should possess good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. The ability to conduct political analysis and summarize news articles or social media posts is essential for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in their final year of a bachelor's degree program (or equivalent), 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 educational background should be relevant to the political affairs and international relations field, ensuring that the intern can effectively contribute to the Division's work.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not required for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that demonstrates their understanding of political analysis, international relations, or related fields. The internship is designed for individuals who are eager to learn and gain practical experience in a professional setting, particularly within the context of the United Nations.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or Arabic is desirable, as these languages are also used within the organization. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in English and have the ability to summarize information in both written and spoken formats.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week. The work arrangement is hybrid, with some days required in-person at the United Nations premises in New York and other days remote. The internship duration is initially three months, with the possibility of extension up 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 must ensure they have the appropriate visa and work authorization to undertake the internship.