Political Affairs Intern

Work Location

Hybrid (a few days per week in-person in New York, USA, and a few days per week remote)

Expected duration

3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Political Affairs Intern will support the work of the Northern Africa Division (NAD) within the joint regional structure of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). The Division is tasked with monitoring and reporting on major developments in the countries and situations under its purview, and recommending actions for addressing the related challenges, risks and threats. It covers Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara. The Division provides headquarters back-stopping support to one peace operation, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and two special political missions, the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara (OPESG) and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The duration of the internship is three (3) months with a possibility of extension up to six (6) months. The duration of the internship is for three (3) months with a possibility of extension. This internship is UNPAID in person and full-time (35 hours per week), in a hybrid working arrangement, working both in-person at the United Nations premise in New York, and a few days per week remote. The Intern will report to a Political Affairs Officer in the Northern Africa Division. Responsibilities Within the delegated authority the Political Affairs Intern will perform the following duties:

• Monitor and analyze key political and security developments in the region, including as they relate to the implementation of mandate of one or more of the field missions supported by the Division;
• Based on situation reports, press clippings, and media reports from the mission area, contribute to reporting and other products and activities of the Division;
• Undertake social media monitoring;
• Monitor general issues and summarize key public and academic articles, correspondences relating to the Division's files;
• Assist in the preparation of communication materials, including presentations;
• Participate in meetings and draft minutes/meeting summaries;
• Carry out individual research assignments and contribute to briefing materials;
• Contribute to the Division’s innovation mainstreaming;
• Perform any other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). 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. Please describe how you meet the criterion. Applic...