Intern, Political Affairs

### Work Location New York ### Expected duration 6 months, first intern desired start date is 19 Oct 2026, or later. Second intern desired start date is 25 November 2026. ### Duties and Responsibilities This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise (New York, USA). This internship can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. A full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial four months. Internships may be extended to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division. This internship is in Office of the Director, DPET/DPO. Under the supervision of Special Assistant, the intern will support the Front Office in carrying out its executive coordination, policy, research and strategic partnership functions. Duties may include: • Assist in conducting research and analysis on issues related to United Nations peacekeeping, peace operations, policy development, innovation, digital transformation, strategic partnerships and organizational reform. • Assist in the preparation of reports, concept notes, policy papers, briefing materials, talking points, speeches, correspondence, presentations and other documents in support of the Director’s engagements and the Division’s strategic priorities. • Review and analyse policies, guidance, reports and other documents relevant to the work of DPO and prepare concise summaries and background papers for senior management. • Assist in collecting, managing and analysing qualitative and quantitative data, including maintaining databases, compiling statistics and preparing analytical products to support decision-making. • Support project management and coordination across the Division, including tracking deliverables, monitoring implementation of action items and following up on cross-service initiatives. • Assist in the planning, coordination and servicing of high-level meetings, conferences, workshops and consultations, including preparing agendas, participant lists, meeting materials and records of discussions. • Attend meetings and conferences, take notes and prepare meeting summaries and action points. • Assist in developing communication products, including presentations, articles, digital content, newsletters and other outreach materials to support internal and external engagement. • Provide editorial support, including drafting, proofreading, formatting and quality assurance of official documents and knowledge products. • Assists the Staff Assistant within the Division with tasks as needed • Support the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships with Member States, United Nations entities, academic institutions, think tanks and other external partners. • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the work of the Office of the Director. ### Qualifications/special skills Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that is being applied for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.  Experience or research knowledge on peacekeeping missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and/or humanitarian settings is desirable. Experience working in an engaging and interactive work environment is desirable. ### Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. ### Additional Information The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country's nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship. The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work in the country where the internship will be undertaken, either remotely, hybrid, or on the UN-premise duty station. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Entities in the UN Secretariat cannot be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Secretariat cannot be engaged as an intern. ### Intern Specific text Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. ### No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS. Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.