Work Location

In-person in New York or remote; full-time or part-time modalities would be considered.

Expected duration

Expected duration: 3-6 months. Desired start date: January 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

The position is located in the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET). UNODET was established on 1 January 2025, with a mandate to: (a) advise the senior leadership of the United Nations on key trends in technology, so as to guide the strategic approach taken by the Organization on such issues; (b) serve as advocate and focal point for digital cooperation, through engagement with Member States, the technology industry, civil society and other stakeholders; (c) facilitate multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on digital and emerging technologies; (d) strengthen system-wide coordination within and across the United Nations system on digital and emerging technologies; (e) support the follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact (A/RES/79/1 Annex 1). Under its mandate UNODET also supports the AI governance mechanisms established within the United Nations through General Assembly resolution 79/325, including the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. Through the Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, UNODET also leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on digital cooperation by working closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation, seizing on the opportunities that are presented by technology – while mitigating the risks – so that progress towards achieving the Goals by 2030 can be made collectively, as well as carrying out other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Secretary-General, including follow up actions from the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the report "Our Common Agenda". The internship provides an opportunity to contribute to ODET’s work across one or more of the following areas: - Follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact; - Digital cooperation and United Nations system-wide coordination; - Digital acceleration of SDGs - Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including DPI safeguards; - Multistakeholder engagement, knowledge management and programme support; - AI governance and capacity development, including support to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. The intern’s assignments are intended to provide a learning experience and exposure to the work of the Office and will be carried out under appropriate supervision. Depending on the Office’s needs and the intern’s skills and interests, the intern may be assigned project-based and ad hoc tasks, which may include assisting with and supporting the following activities: - Assist with research and analysis on digital cooperation, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence governance, and other emerging technology issues, as well as related multilateral processes. - Support knowledge-management, communications, data-analysis, and digital innovation activities across ODET's portfolio, including the development and use of AI-enabled tools to improve workflows. - Assist in the preparation of briefing materials, background notes, presentations, reports, and other materials for internal and external stakeholders. - Support the planning and implementation of high-level meetings, consultations, workshops, and multistakeholder events. - Assist in the organization and servicing of meetings and dialogues, including the preparation of documentation, meeting summaries, and follow-up actions. - Support stakeholder engagement and coordination with Member States, United Nations entities, academia, civil society, the private sector, and other partners. - Assist with monitoring developments related to the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and other ODET priorities. - Assist with other related tasks, as required and under the supervision of ODET staff.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship by the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: - Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); - Be enrolled in the FINAL academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or - Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2). Preferably in the area of the below degree programme(s) in a graduate school (second university degree or higher); or if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a relevant degree. Interested candidates can pursue broad range of studies as indicated below: Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Computer Science, Data Science, International Relations, Law, Economics, Engineering, Machine Learning, Information Systems, Digital Transformation, or related fields.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Visa and Work Authorization Mandatory Requirements: For internships in the United States of America, persons who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or on another non-immigrant (such as F1 or J1 visa) status, will be required to obtain a G4 visa. The selected person will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT), allowing them to undertake the internship.

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.

Intern - Programme Management (Digital Cooperation and Emerging Technologies)