Political Affairs Intern

Job Description

Work Location
In person in New York or remote, full time or part time modalities would be considered.

Expected duration
Expected duration: 3-6 months.
Desired start date: January / February 2026

Duties and Responsibilities
The Office was established by Security Council resolution (SCR) 1888 (2009), one in a series of resolutions which recognized the detrimental impact that sexual violence in conflict has on communities and acknowledged that this crime undermines efforts to ensure peace and security and rebuild societies once a conflict has ended.

The Special Representative serves as the United Nations’ spokesperson and political advocate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

The internship is in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) in the Secretariat of UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action). The Internship is for a period of three (3) months with an opportunity for an extension of up to three (3) additional months, depending on the needs of the office.

The internship is UNPAID and can be part-time or full-time. Interns are required to work four or five days per week (20-35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member of the UN Action Secretariat. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Applicants for this position are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as hiring will begin before the end of the vacancy posting period. Interested applicants should be available to start as soon as possible. Please read the ‘Special Notice’ paragraph carefully before applying.

The duties of the Intern may include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct literature and desk reviews, and other research, on key thematic areas of priority to the UN Action Network, including situations of concern of the CRSV mandate
• Draft various written materials relating to key thematic areas of priority to the UN Action Network
• Support the monitoring of UN Action’s Strategic Framework, including collating and analyzing data on its impact
• Prepare briefing notes, presentations, and hand-outs for meetings and for UN Action’s thematic working groups
• Prepare team meeting notes and event readouts. Assist with note-taking at high-level events and meetings
• Assist with background notes and talking points for technical and high-level events, various meetings and country missions
• Support UN Action in the implementation of its advocacy and communications strategy, including leading the monitoring of social media accounts, and drafting social media message content
• Lead the updating of UN Action’s website (stoprapenow.org)
• Support the overall work of the UN Action Secretariat and perform any other tasks required by the supervisor and management
• Prepare an end of internship report

Qualifications/special skills
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

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 bachelor’s level or equivalent)

The programme must be in a field of study related to International Relations, Public Policy and Administration, Law, Development Management, Political Science, or Social Science.

Applicants must also:

• 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 UN Charter
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Have you completed an UN Internship before? If yes, please include the UN entity, as well as assignment dates.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Additional Information
Visa and Work Authorization Mandatory Requirements:
For internships in the United States of America, persons who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or on another non-immigrant (such as F1 or J1 visa) status, will be required to obtain a G4 visa. The selected person will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT), allowing them to undertake the internship.

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 : Jan 6, 2026