Political Affairs Intern - Peacekeeping Knowledge Management and Guidance

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the United Nations, an international organization founded in 1945 with the mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations. The UN operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 44,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering international collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
This internship is designed to provide students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of peacekeeping operations. The intern will work within the Knowledge Management and Guidance Team of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) in the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET). The primary focus of this role is to support the development and dissemination of policies and best practices that guide peacekeeping operations. Interns will engage in various tasks that contribute to the overall mission of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts through research, communication, and information management. The internship is flexible, allowing for either full-time or part-time commitment, and can be conducted remotely or in a hybrid format at the UN premises in New York.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of tasks that support the work of the Knowledge Management and Guidance Team. Key responsibilities include: conducting research on peacekeeping-related issues, assisting in the development of strategic communications and multimedia presentations, attending and documenting events, conferences, and meetings, preparing reports and policy documents, servicing conferences and workshops, managing information databases, and creating internal communications materials such as newsletters and podcasts. The intern will also support the development of guidance and learning products, including after-action reviews, contributing to the continuous improvement of peacekeeping practices.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate program (second university degree or equivalent) or be enrolled in or have completed the final 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 provide proof of their academic status and may need to submit an official certificate later in the application process.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program in a relevant field. This may include areas such as international relations, political science, peace studies, or other disciplines that align with the responsibilities of the internship. A strong academic background is essential to effectively contribute to the team's objectives.

Experience:
While prior professional experience is not mandatory, familiarity with peacekeeping missions, international organizations, or humanitarian settings is desirable. Experience in producing professional communications products and foundational knowledge in statistics for social sciences will be beneficial. Additionally, familiarity with data analysis software and AI tools is advantageous, as these skills will enhance the intern's ability to support research and data visualization tasks.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the intern's effectiveness in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and has a duration of six months. Interns may work either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week). Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. It is important for non-citizens or permanent residents to verify their visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.