Work Location

In-person (New York) (preferred), Remote, and/or Hybrid

Expected duration

The expected duration of internship is three to six months and preferably in-person in New York. Three-month internships may qualify for an extension of an additional three months. Internship duration and modality may be altered at the request of successful candidates, dependent on the needs of the Research and Liaison Unit/Prevention Team. (This is a Generic Job Opening used to build a pool of qualified candidates and will be used to fill unpaid internship vacancies between May 2026 and May 2027.)

Duties and Responsibilities

We seek motivated interns to support the work of the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC). The interns take up assignments within the Research and Liaison Unit (RLU) or the Prevention Team of UNOCC. The RLU and Prevention Team deliver cross-pillar analysis, research, and data-driven services for senior UN interagency leadership that integrates peace and security, humanitarian, sustainable development, human rights, and operational perspectives. The UNOCC is a multi-party entity reporting to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU), and on peacekeeping matters, with oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS). The UNOCC also receives strategic oversight from a Client Board of principals from each of the client entities. The UNOCC provides global situational awareness, crisis management, as well as cross-pillar integrated analysis to inform senior decision making in the UN. The UNOCC is operationally positioned under the ODCSS between the Department of Political and Peace building Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations. Under the overall supervision of the respective RLU or Prevention team leader, the intern may:

Support the monitoring, research and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) of context specific political and security developments, human rights situations, economic and social developments, and humanitarian issues aligned with UN system-wide activities and priorities;
Assist in preparing visual slides and analytical briefs for cross-pillar and integrated analytical outputs for senior UN leadership including analytical maps, graphs and other visuals using Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Think-Cell, possibly a Geographic Information System program and other standard methodology and templates;
Assist in identifying sources of data, maintaining established records and datasets and the further development of responsive sets of data/indicators for use on analysis products;
Support delivery of presentations to Member States, including by compiling, processing, and visualizing information in a collaborative setting under time pressure; and
Participate in meetings and draft minutes/meeting summaries as required.
Assist to process, organize, and transcribe structured surveys to support evidence-based decision making
Assist in the preparation of talking points and other senior-level correspondence; participate in meetings and prepare summaries; support the tracking and analysis of senior-level decisions and their implementation

Qualifications/special skills

Competency: Demonstrates strong performance across the UN core competencies of Communication, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, Accountability, and Technological Awareness. Works collaboratively and constructively with colleagues to achieve shared objectives, contributing to a positive and results-oriented team environment. Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, adapting messages to different audiences. Plans and organizes work efficiently, managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, and using resources effectively to deliver results. Takes ownership of responsibilities, honours commitments, and delivers outputs with reliability and professionalism. Actively leverages technology to enhance efficiency, support analysis, and improve work processes. Skills: We seek candidates with degree programmes and relevant coursework in international relations, political science, social science, public policy/policy analysis, economics, law, data analysis, statistics, or a related area. Strong research and analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative) including data visualization and data management are highly desirable for this role. Experience with Geographic Information Systems and mapping is also desirable. Academic Qualifications: The minimum educational qualification required is HS diploma. The applicant must also meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or (b) be enrolled in, or have recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent). Language: 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.

Additional Information

The Prevention Team intern will contribute to the research and preparation of visual analytics to support between 10-15 high-level internal interagency meetings focused on UN preventive engagement at the thematic, regional, and national level. The RLU intern will contribute to the research and analysis of situations of concern pertaining to country and regional dynamics and developments, including the preparation of visual analytics for UN senior leadership on situations of concern. Responsibilities:

Support the monitoring and analysis (qualitative and quantitative) of country and thematic risks, aligned to UN system-wide priorities
Assist in preparing visual slides and analytics (charts, graphs, infographics, maps) for senior UN leadership using standard methodology and templates; help process, organize, and transcribe structured surveys to support evidence-based decision making
Assist in the preparation of talking points and other senior-level correspondence; participate in meetings and prepare summaries; support the tracking and analysis of senior-level decisions and their implementation
Identify data sources, maintain and develop data sets, dashboards, and standard briefing material
Support delivery of presentations to Member States, including by compiling, processing, and visualizing information in a collaborative setting under time pressure

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: Information analysis and data visualisation