Intern, Political Affairs

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently consisting of 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, human rights, and sustainable development, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi, among other locations.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Political, Peacekeeping, Humanitarian & Human Rights Unit of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG). The intern will work under the guidance of a Senior Political Affairs Officer and will be involved in supporting the Unit's work, which includes analysis, policy oversight, and promoting coherence across the UN system. The role is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to engage with substantive issues while also assisting with the daily operations of the Unit. Interns are expected to conduct research, compile information, and contribute to various reports and presentations, thereby gaining valuable experience in political affairs and international relations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will include: conducting research and summarizing media products and reports to support the Unit's work; contributing to the preparation of analytical notes and other documents; assisting in the coordination of unit-wide activities and special projects; helping to organize the Political Unit Annual Retreat; supporting the internal organization of workflows and knowledge management; and performing various other tasks as assigned. The intern will be expected to work independently on substantive issues while also collaborating with colleagues on day-to-day operations, demonstrating attention to detail and the ability to thrive in a multicultural environment.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (Master's degree or higher) or be enrolled in or have completed the final year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's degree). While no professional work experience is required, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship, such as International Relations, Political Science, or Public Administration. Additionally, candidates must be computer literate and have a strong interest in the work of the United Nations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess either a graduate degree or be in the final year of a Bachelor's degree program. Relevant fields of study include but are not limited to International Business, Political Economy, International Development, Law, Political Science, and Security Studies. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of the political affairs the intern will be involved in.

Experience:
No prior professional work experience is required for this internship position. However, candidates should demonstrate relevant academic training or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. The focus is on the candidate's educational background and their ability to apply their knowledge in a practical setting within the UN framework.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as both English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates should be able to effectively communicate in these languages to fulfill the internship requirements.

Additional Notes:
This internship is expected to last between 3 to 6 months and is an in-person position based in New York City. It is important to note that interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations. All costs related to travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Additionally, non-citizens may need to secure the appropriate visa and work authorization prior to starting the internship. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.