Job Description
Job Opening ID: 272443
Job Network : -
Job Family : Political Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : USA - Other cities
Department/Office : Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Date Posted : Feb 19, 2026
Deadline : Mar 5, 2026
Work Location: In-person, New York
Expected Duration: The duration is for three (3) months with the possibility of extension to six (6) months. The desired start date is 23 March 2026 or sooner.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Intern will support the work of the Great Lakes and Southern Africa Team (GLSAT).
- The GLSAT is located within the Central and Southern Africa Division, in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs - Department of Peace Operations.
- The duration of the internship is for a period of three (3) months with the possibility of extension to six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Department.
- The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days (35 hours) per week under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned.
- Within the delegated authority, the Political Affairs Intern will perform the following duties:
- Monitor and analyze key political and security developments, including as they relate to the countries/region of the Great Lakes and Southern Africa;
- Based on situation reports, press clippings, and media reports from the mission area, provide a daily news feed for principals;
- Monitor general issues and summarize key public and academic articles, correspondences relating to the region;
- Cover Security Council and General Assembly deliberations on relevant political issues;
- Assist in the preparation of communication materials, including presentations;
- Participate in meetings and draft minutes/meeting summaries;
- Carry out individual research assignments, support data-driven approaches, and contribute to briefing materials on political economy in the respective area of responsibility, and other topics relevant to the team’s work;
- Perform any other duties as requested.
Qualifications/Special Skills:
- Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
- (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
- (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation;
- Field of study to be preferably in political science, history, international relations, law or a related field;
- Be computer literate in standard software applications;
- Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Additional Information:
- The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
- The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
- For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa.
- If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.
- For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country’s nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.
- The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid or on the UN-premise duty station.
- Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization.
- Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems cannot be engaged as an intern.
- Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System cannot be engaged as an intern.
- In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible.
- A complete online application is required. The Motivational Statement must also include:
- Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
- Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?)
- Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
- Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
- In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.
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: March 5, 2026
