UN Intern - Political Affairs

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 humanitarian assistance, development, and human rights, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering international collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The UN Intern in Political Affairs will engage in a comprehensive internship program designed to provide practical experience in the field of political and peacebuilding affairs. The intern will work closely with the Leadership Support Section (LSS), which plays a crucial role in supporting the UN's Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. The intern's primary responsibilities will include conducting research, managing databases, and supporting outreach initiatives aimed at enhancing the recruitment processes for senior leadership positions within UN Field Missions. This internship is a full-time, in-person role, with a strong preference for candidates who can work on-site at the UN premises in New York. The intern will gain valuable insights into the UN's operations and contribute to the organization's mission of promoting peace and stability globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including: conducting online research to update and maintain a database of potential candidates for senior leadership roles; performing due diligence checks on candidates using open-source information; preparing mission and country profiles that include background documentation and stakeholder mapping; assisting in the preparation of meeting documents and promotional materials, which may involve basic graphic design skills; monitoring global leadership news and providing weekly reports; collecting data on leadership trends and preparing internal reports using software applications such as Excel and PowerPoint; attending webinars and summarizing key information; and providing support for ongoing projects related to leadership initiatives and assessment processes.

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, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Candidates must demonstrate a strong interest in the work of the United Nations, particularly in peace and security, and a commitment to the principles of the UN Charter. Additionally, candidates should possess the ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, especially MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

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, with a focus on political science, international relations, peace studies, or a related field. 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 a requirement for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. Demonstrated interest in the UN's work, particularly in peace and security, is essential. Candidates should also have experience in research, data management, or related fields, which can be gained through academic projects or volunteer work.

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 advantage. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in English and demonstrate the ability to draft articles or social media posts.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of 35 hours per week. The expected duration is three to six months, with a desired start date of September 25, 2026, or sooner. The UN Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates should be aware of their visa requirements before accepting an internship offer.