The internship duration is three (3) months, with a possible extension to a maximum of six (6) months, based on the Division’s needs.
This internship is UNPAID, in-person, and full-time (35 hours/week) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.
The internship is located in the Western Africa Division (WAD) of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO).
The Division covers 15 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Responsibilities of the Division include monitoring political/security developments and advising on risks and threats, with specific attention to the Sahel region and implementation of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS).
The Intern will report to a Senior Political Affairs Officer and perform the following tasks:
Monitor and analyze key political and security developments in West Africa and the Sahel
Provide a daily news feed based on situation reports, press clippings, and media sources
Summarize public and academic articles on West Africa and the Sahel, with special focus on climate security and ECOWAS
Prepare weekly reports on developments in countries under WAD’s purview
Track progress in implementing the UNISS and create a repository/database on the Sahel
Assist in preparing briefing materials for senior UN officials
Participate in meetings and draft minutes or summaries
Conduct individual research assignments
Perform any other duties as requested
Qualifications/Special Skills
At the time of application, applicants must meet one of the following:
Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate programme (Master’s, PhD, or equivalent), or
Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final year of a first university degree (minimum bachelor’s level)
No prior professional experience is required, but the field of study must relate to the internship area.
Experience in drafting analytical papers, briefs, meeting minutes, or reports is required.
Languages
Working languages: English and French
Fluency in both spoken and written English and French is required
Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is an asset
Additional Information
The UN Secretariat is committed to gender balance (50/50) and geographic diversity
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
Applicants cannot be:
Interns who have already served six months in total in the UN Common System
Children, siblings, or in-laws of active UN Common System staff (including step/half-siblings or stepchildren)
In your Motivational Statement, please include:
The degree title you are pursuing
Your graduation date (actual or expected)
Why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
Why you are interested in the UN Internship Programme
In your Personal History Profile, include:
All past work experience
IT skills
Three references
Intern-Specific Text
Interns are not financially compensated by the UN.
All costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsor.
Non-citizens or residents of the internship country may require a visa or work authorization; successful candidates should confirm these details before accepting the offer.
No Fee
The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the application or recruitment process.
Deadline : Aug 9, 2025
Start your application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
