Interns: Legal Affairs

Job Description

Work Location: New York

Expected Duration: 3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Applications are sought for an internship within the Conduct and Discipline Service (CDS) of the Administrative Law Division (ALD) in the Office of Human Resources (OHR), Department of Management Strategy, Policy, and Compliance (DMSPC).

The internship is located in New York and is available for Spring (1 April 2026), Summer (1 July 2026), and Fall (1 October 2026); for a total of 6 candidates. The internship is for three months with an opportunity for extension up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of CDS. The internship is UNPAID.

This internship is designed to be in person and full-time. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also be conducted remotely and/or in part-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned.

CDS is in charge of the implementation of the United Nations (UN) standards of conduct for all categories of personnel, including both civilian and uniformed personnel, across the Global UN Secretariat. CDS advises on efforts and actions, including risk management, to prevent and respond to unsatisfactory conduct, to enforce the United Nations standards of conduct, to provide assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse and children born from sexual exploitation and abuse. CDS/ALD also works closely with Heads of Mission and Conduct and Discipline Teams based in peacekeeping operations in the exercise of their responsibilities to address conduct and discipline matters.

CDS is seeking highly motivated interns who wish to gain professional experience in the conduct and discipline field within an international organization. This internship offers a practical educational experience and provides interns with the opportunity to work in a multicultural, intergovernmental organization. Interns perform tasks under the supervision of a Conduct and Discipline Officer.

The responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in preparing advice on conduct and discipline matters.
• Assisting in the review of conduct and discipline-related policy documents with a view to supporting necessary revisions and/or updates.
• Assisting in drafting various legal documents and communications.
• Attending and taking notes at conferences and meetings.
• Supporting information and knowledge management practices.
• Working on the Conduct and Discipline website and/or presentations.

Additional Information

A completed online application (cover note and Personal History Profile (PHP)) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

• The exact title and receipt date of your most recent degree and the title of any degree currently being pursued
• The graduation date (when will you be graduating from the programme in which you are enrolled)
• List the IT skills and programmes in which you are proficient
• Explanation as to why you are the best candidate for CDS and how the internship fits within your career plans.
• The period for which you will be available during 2026, along with your estimated and preferred start and end dates of the internship.

Qualifications/Special Skills

Applicants at the time of application must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or,
2. Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level 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.

Knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint is required.

Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable.

Languages

• 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 French is desirable. 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.

DEADLINE: Feb 26, 2026