Political Affairs - Intern

Job Description

Work Location

• The internship is designed to be full-time and in-person.
• Adjustments may be made based on the needs of the successful candidate.

Expected Duration

• 2 to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting and Reporting

• The internship is based in the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), Geneva Branch.
• ODA provides substantive and organizational support to UN bodies working on disarmament.
• The Office delivers objective, impartial, and up-to-date information on disarmament issues to:
• • Member States and States Parties to multilateral agreements
  • Intergovernmental organizations and UN agencies
  • Research and educational institutions
  • Civil society organizations, NGOs, and the media
• The Branch supports and provides liaison services for:
  • The Conference on Disarmament
  • The Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention
  • The Biological Weapons Convention
  • The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, including the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
  • The Convention on Cluster Munitions
  • The Group of Governmental Experts on Nuclear Disarmament Verification
  • The Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats
  • The UN Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament
• The Branch also supports numerous disarmament-related conferences.
• More information: disarmament.unoda.org
• The internship is based in Geneva, Switzerland, unpaid, and full-time (five days per week, 40 hours).
• The intern works under the guidance of the Internship Coordinator and direct supervision of a staff member in the assigned Branch.
• The initial duration is at least two months, extendable up to six months based on Branch needs.

Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities will depend on the intern’s background, assigned tasks, and the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in drafting and preparing official documents, press releases, and statements.
• Maintaining records and datasets.
• Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings.
• Conducting research, including document, legal, and internet searches.
• Providing assistance during conferences.
• Supporting web content and social media activities.
• Performing other duties as required.

Competencies

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Values others’ ideas and expertise; learns from others.
• Prioritizes team objectives over personal interests.
• Supports final group decisions and shares responsibility for team outcomes.

Planning and Organization

• Develops clear goals aligned with agreed strategies.
• Identifies and prioritizes key activities and assignments.
• Allocates appropriate time and resources for completing tasks.
• Anticipates risks and plans contingencies.
• Monitors progress and adjusts actions as necessary.
• Uses time efficiently.

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Listens attentively and responds appropriately.
• Asks clarifying questions and engages in two-way communication.
• Adapts language, tone, and format to the audience.
• Demonstrates openness and transparency in communication.

Qualifications / Special Skills
To qualify for an internship under the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

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

Additional requirements:

• Field of study must be relevant to the internship.
• Computer literacy in standard software applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams).
• Demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and willingness to respect differing opinions and views.
• No prior professional work experience required.
• Applicants must provide proof of enrollment or degree completion at a later stage.

Languages

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of French or another official UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

• Not available.

Intern-Specific Information

• 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 host country must obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization.
• Successful candidates should confirm visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Deadline : Nov 11, 2025