UN DPO Civil Affairs Intern - Research, Drafting, Data Collection and Innovation

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, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and human rights. The UN operates in various countries around the world, with a significant presence in conflict zones and areas requiring humanitarian assistance. The organization employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with numerous partners to implement its programs and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The UN DPO Civil intern" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Affairs Intern position is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience within the Civil Affairs Team of the Policy and Best Practices Service, part of the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations. The intern will engage in a variety of tasks that support the development and dissemination of policies and practices related to peacekeeping operations. This internship is unpaid and requires a commitment of 35 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work or part-time arrangements based on the intern's needs and the Division's requirements. The intern will gain hands-on experience in research, drafting, and data collection, contributing to the UN's mission of enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will include assisting in research and drafting related to Civil Affairs policy and guidance, preparing reports and policy documents, capturing lessons learned from peacekeeping missions, developing communication products, attending and summarizing conferences and meetings, managing project coordination, proofreading team documents, and exploring the use of AI tools for data analysis and workflow automation. The intern will play a vital role in supporting the Civil Affairs Team's efforts to improve peacekeeping operations through effective communication and documentation of best practices.

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 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. Candidates should demonstrate strong research, drafting, and communication skills, with experience in organizing events and working with databases being desirable. Knowledge of machine learning and AI tools is an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program. The educational background should be relevant to the internship, ideally in fields such as international relations, political science, social sciences, or related disciplines. Proof of enrollment or completion of the relevant degree program must be provided during the application process.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not mandatory for this internship, candidates with experience in research, report drafting, event organization, and data management will be viewed favorably. Familiarity with data visualization software, such as Power BI, and strategic communications is also desirable. Knowledge of AI tools relevant to data analysis and policy research support will enhance a candidate's application.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and candidates are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The United Nations encourages applications from female candidates and is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity. Interns who have previously served six months in total as an intern in the UN Common Systems are not eligible for this position. The application process requires a complete online submission, including a motivational statement detailing the candidate's qualifications and interest in the internship. The start and end dates of the internship are flexible, with a desired start date of September 1, 2026, or sooner. Interns must also be aware that the UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.