Intern, Political Affairs

This unpaid internship is designed to be in person and full-time at the United Nations premises in New York. The intern will support the Front Office in the Office of the Director, DPET/DPO, assisting with executive coordination, policy, research, and strategic partnership functions related to United Nations peacekeeping and peace operations.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Assist 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.

Requirements

• Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or 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.
• A field of study closely related to the type of internship 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.
• 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.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.
• Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

• Policy Research
• Executive Coordination
• Strategic Partnerships
• UN Peacekeeping Knowledge
• International Organizations
• Humanitarian Settings
• Research Skills
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Multilingualism

Languages

English, French