Peace and Development Intern

Job Description

Work Location
This internship is expected to be predominantly office-based. The selected candidate should be available to perform duties primarily in person.

Expected duration
6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities
The UN Resident Coordinator system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The 2018 UN reform delinked the Resident Coordinator system from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and invigorated the authority and neutrality of Resident Coordinators. In Ecuador, the Office of the Resident Coordinator coordinates the 22 Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

The internship in the RCO Ecuador will last 6 months, depending on the needs of the Office. Candidates may be selected throughout the posting period, on an “as-needed” basis.

Under the supervision or overall guidance of the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) and the Ecuador UN Resident Coordinator, daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the internship period. Duties may include:

• The Peace and Development Intern works under the direct supervision and guidance of the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) under the guidance of the Ecuador UN Resident Coordinator, to provide substantive support in three main areas of activity, including:
• 1.) Assisting on research, information-gathering, report and analysis with specific focus on supporting and promoting peacebuilding and conflict prevention
• 2.) Identifying entry-points and support inclusive and conflict-sensitive approaches in efforts to build national capacities for conflict prevention, particularly with regard to civil society, including indigenous, rural, women’s and youth networks
• 3.) Provide technical support for peace-related UN programming

Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• (a) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
• (b) be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher)

To be a final-year undergraduate student or a first-year Master’s student in political science, conflict resolution, peace studies, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related social sciences would be considered an asset.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish are required for the internship. 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.

Additional Information
This internship is for a maximum of 6 months (35 hours per week). This internship is expected to be predominantly office-based. The selected candidate should be available to perform duties primarily in person.

DEADLINE: Mar 9, 2026