Political Affairs Intern: Research and Analysis on Security Council practice

Work Location

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

Expected duration

6 months. Desired start date is 3 August 2026, or sooner.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is six (6) months. This internship is in-person, unpaid, and full-time (35 hours per week) in a hybrid working arrangement at the United Nations premise (New York, USA). This internship is located in the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch (SCPCRB) of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The Branch serves as the advisory and research arm of SCAD, preparing the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, providing guidance on Council practice, supporting outreach, and acting as the Secretariat’s focal point on Security Council reform. The intern will report to the Chief of the Branch and will be supervised by the Senior/Political Affairs Officer. The intern will contribute to research, analysis, and drafting related to Security Council practice and support public awareness of SCPCRB tools and outputs. Key responsibilities include: - Conduct research on political developments, especially those related to Security Council agenda items - Assist with documentation and cataloguing of information on evolving Council practices and working methods - Conduct research, analysis, and drafting of studies for the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council - Support outreach efforts, including preparation of social media content - Assist in developing and updating databases on Security Council practices and subsidiary bodies - Perform other duties as required

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); or (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. Applicants should have strong research and drafting skills are required. Applicants should have good knowledge of and proficiency in standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, and MS PowerBI. Applicants should have knowledg...