Intern - Protection of Civilian Team

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 human rights, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity within its staff, and it actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is designed for individuals interested in gaining practical experience in the field of peacekeeping operations, specifically within the Protection of Civilian (POC) Team of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The intern will engage in a variety of tasks that support the development and dissemination of policies and guidance related to POC. This role is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions by facilitating the exchange of best practices and lessons learned. The intern will work closely with team members to contribute to policy documents, assist in organizing events, and support data management efforts. This internship is unpaid and requires a commitment of 35 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work or in-person attendance at the UN premises in New York.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to: contributing to the review and development of policy and guidance documents related to POC; liaising with peacekeeping operations to support meetings and events; preparing talking points, speeches, and reports; developing presentations on POC for various audiences; representing the POC team in meetings and workshops; assisting in data collection and analysis; managing the POC team SharePoint and other databases; supporting external actors engaged in POC; drafting the POC quarterly newsletter; conducting research and statistical analysis on POC-related subjects; servicing conferences and training activities; maintaining contact lists; proofreading team documents; and developing communication products. The intern may also be asked to perform additional roles as needed by the team.

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 provide proof of their academic status and may need to submit an official certificate later in the application process. Desirable qualifications include experience in preparing and editing policy documents, organizing events, and familiarity with data visualization and multimedia communication products.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a degree in a field relevant to the internship, such as international relations, political science, public policy, or a related discipline. The internship is open to students in their final year of undergraduate studies, as well as those pursuing or having completed master's or doctoral programs. Proof of enrollment or graduation will be required during the application process.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not mandatory for this internship, any experience related to policy development, event organization, or data analysis will be considered advantageous. Interns should demonstrate a willingness to learn and contribute to the team's objectives, and any relevant experience in similar roles will enhance their application.

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 asset and may provide a competitive advantage in the selection process.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires a commitment of 35 hours per week, with a flexible duration of 3 to 6 months. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Applicants who have previously served as interns in the UN Common System for a total of six months or who are related to active UN staff members are not eligible for this internship. Candidates must submit a complete online application, including a motivational statement detailing their qualifications and interest in the position, as well as a Personal History Profile that includes past work experiences and references. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates are responsible for their own travel, visa, and living expenses.