Political Affairs Intern

Job Description

Work Location: New York or Remote

Expected duration: Three to Six Months. Desired start date: February 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

The internship is in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (O-SRSG-SVC), an office of the United Nations Secretariat that supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC). The mandate of the SRSG-SVC was established through the adoption of Security Council resolution 1888 in 2009 to tackle conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) as a peace and security issue, while also bearing in mind other serious violations of human rights that occur during armed conflict.

The SRSG-SVC serves as the United Nations spokesperson and political advocate on CRSV, including rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, trafficking in persons when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence/exploitation and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict.

The Office is currently seeking an intern to support various research tasks relating to its mandate, including on the design, implementation and adjustment of United Nations sanctions measures in relation to CRSV. Knowledge of UN sanctions would be beneficial but is not required.

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 full-time or part time, with preference for full-time. Interns are required to work four to five days per week (20-35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member of the Programme team.

The work hours during internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the requirements of the Organization and any possible time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

Applicants for this position are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the hiring process may begin before the end of the vacancy posting period. Please include a brief cover letter which explains the reason why you are interested in this role, your potential start and end dates, location, and whether you are seeking a full-time or part-time internship.

Please read the ‘Special Notice’ paragraph carefully before applying.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Within limits of delegated authority, the duties of the Intern may include, but are not limited to:

• Support monitoring of relevant developments in countries of interest.
• Conduct literature and desk reviews, and other research, on key thematic areas of priority to the O-SRSG-SVC, including situations of concern of the CRSV mandate and sanctions.
• Performing analytical research on, inter-alia, design and implementation of sanctions measures in relation to CRSV.
• Selecting, classifying and recording sanctions information in databases and spreadsheets.
• Assistance with data visualization and other innovation forms of information presentation.
• Support the mandates reporting, including by supporting inputs to reports of the Secretary-General.
• Support the Offices participation in relevant meetings of Security Council, General Assembly, subsidiary organizations, negotiating bodies, or inter-agency mechanisms (including through assistance in preparation of briefing notes, presentations, readouts, as required; assistance with note-taking during meetings).
• Assist in organizing conferences, events, and meetings, including for relevant international days.
• Support with information management.
• Assist with routine administrative and logistical tasks related to the work of the O-SRSG-SVC.
• Support the overall work of the O-SRSG-SVC and perform any other tasks required by the supervisor and management.

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 Studies, Political Science, Social Science or Gender Studies.

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.

Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Candidates with experience working, including prior internships and fellowships, on gender-based violence issues are preferred.

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. Candidates with experience working, including prior internships and fellowships, on gender-based violence issues are preferred.

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 29, 2026