Work Location

Flexible (Hybrid, all remote, or in-person)

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is for six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and may be either full-time or part-time. It should be noted that full-time internship working hours are 35 hours per week, while part-time internship working hours are 20 hours per week. The internship will be undertaken either remotely outside the duty station or in a hybrid working arrangement at the UN Premise, New York, United States. This internship is located in the Knowledge Management and Guidance Team in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners. The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of the Policy Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations. It provides support to both DPO and DOS. The core function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, and thematic policy support in selected areas. PBPS also leads several reform processes. Responsibilities of this internship will encompass many aspects of the Peacekeeping Policy and Best Practices Service's work. The intern will support the Knowledge Management and Guidance Team with tasks, including the following: - Assistance in conducting research on issues related to peacekeeping, including knowledge management. - Assistance in the development of strategic communications and multimedia, presentations and visualizations, and data analysis. - Attending and taking notes at events, conferences and meetings. - Assistance in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles and other materials related to the work of the team. - Assistance in servicing conferences, meetings, and workshops (including online events/webinars); - Assistance in information management, including maintaining databases, such as the Policy and Practice Database. - Assistance in preparing internal communications, including newsletters, podcasts, videos, one-pagers and other documents. - Support on other guidance and learning products, including after-action reviews.

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. Foundational knowledge/background in producing professional communications products is desirable. Knowledge/background in statistics for social sciences, and use of various software for data analysis and data visualization (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, EFM Verint, Power BI, SharePoint) or related field is desirable. Familiarity with AI tools and technologies (such as Microsoft Copilot, generative AI applications, AI agents, and AI-assisted workflows) is desirable, including the ability to use them to support research, drafting, data analysis, and process efficiency.

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.

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.

Political Affairs Intern: Peacekeeping Knowledge Management and Guidance