Intern - UNCCD COP17 & AI Support

Job Description

Work Location: Ulaanbaatar

Expected duration: minimum 3 months up to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Resident Coordinator System encompasses all organizations of the United Nations that have operational activities in the country. As the designated Representative of the UN Secretary-General and leader of the UN Country Team (UNCT), the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), in consultation with the UNCT, assumes overall responsibility and coordination of the developmental activities of the UN carried out at the country level.

The UNCT is composed of representatives of the UN funds and programs, specialized agencies and non-resident UN agencies. The UNCT in Mongolia has various working structures to ensure coordinated inter-agency action in the country and implement joint activities under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator.

The United Nations Resident Coordinators Office (UNRCO) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, offers an internship opportunity with a minimum duration of three months, with the possibility of extension up to six months, subject to office needs. The internship is unpaid and conducted in-person. The Intern is expected to work five days per week (more than 34 hours) or under an agreed flexible arrangement, under the supervision and support of a designated staff member of the office.

This internship is designed to support the UN Country Teams preparations for UNCCD COP17 (2026) and to strengthen the RCOs use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to enhance coordination, analysis, communications, and knowledge management.

Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and direct supervision of the Head of RCO, the intern is responsible for the following duties:

• UNCCD COP17 Support
  • Conduct research and analysis on land degradation, desertification, drought, and related UNCCD priorities.
  • Support the preparation of briefing notes, talking points, background papers, and presentations related to COP17.
  • Assist in coordination with government counterparts, UN agencies, and partners on COP17-related processes.
  • Support the organization of meetings, consultations, workshops, and events linked to COP17 preparations.
  • Contribute to communications and advocacy materials related to COP17, including web, social media, and briefing content.
• AI and Digital Support to the RCO
  • Support the use of AI and digital tools for research, data synthesis, drafting, and knowledge management.
  • Assist in developing templates, dashboards, or simple analytical tools to support coordination, reporting, and planning.
  • Help streamline internal workflows through digital solutions (e.g., document management, data visualization, presentations).
  • Contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of analytical and reporting products through AI-assisted methods.
• General Support
  • Participate in RCO-organized meetings, workshops, and coordination activities.
  • Assist with special projects and tasks assigned by the supervisor and RCO staff.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Resident Coordinators Office in Mongolia, 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 bachelors degree or equivalent).

Fields of study should be relevant, such as environmental studies, climate change, sustainable development, international relations, data science, information management, public policy, or related disciplines.

Additional assets:

• Previous experience in organizing events, research projects, or conferences;
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Languages

English is the working language of the United Nations in Mongolia. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Additional Information

The internship is based in the UN Resident Coordinators Office (UNRCO) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Intern will work under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Head of RCO. The Intern will contribute to the preparation and implementation of activities related to UNCCD COP17 and provide AI-enabled analytical and operational support to the RCO in 2026.

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.

Deadline : Mar 16, 2026