Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

This internship is for a period from 2 to 6 months. This internship is designed to be full-time and in person, starting on 1st September 2026. The modality can be handled flexibly on request of the successful candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is based in the Facilities Management Section (FMS), Central Support Services (CSS), Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in infrastructure and facilities management within the United Nations Office at Geneva. Working alongside the Infrastructure Team, the intern will contribute to the maintenance, preservation and technical documentation of the Palais des Nations, as well as its annexes. This internship combines site-based activities with technical documentation and coordination, providing practical exposure to building maintenance, asset management and infrastructure projects in an international and multicultural environment. The intern will support the FMS team in the following key areas:

Participate in on-site inspections, building assessments and technical walk-throughs throughout the Palais des Nations and its annexes to support preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
Assist in updating architectural drawings, building plans and technical documentation through site surveys and comparison with existing records, including the use of AutoCAD under supervision.
Support the verification and updating of building inventories, technical databases and infrastructure records.
Support Infrastructure Team technicians and artisans in coordination, inventory and documentation activities, including work related to historical furniture and heritage building elements.
Gain practical knowledge of infrastructure management within a historic and operational United Nations campus, including applicable technical standards and regulations such as SIA (Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects) standards and AEAI (Swiss Fire Protection Association) requirements.
Assist with ad hoc technical and administrative activities supporting the Infrastructure Team and ongoing infrastructure projects.

Qualifications/special skills

The intern is expected to have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations. 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 you are applying 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. Computer literacy – command of standard applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and AutoCAD. Knowledge of Revit is a plus. Knowledge or academic exposure to building maintenance, facilities management, construction, or building systems is desirable. Interested candidates must be pursuing or have completed studies in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Facility Management, or another field related to this Job Opening, including construction or building-related studies.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English or French is required for the internship Programme. Working knowledge of the other is an advantage.

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.

Building Maintenance Intern