Political Affairs Intern: Supporting the Work of the Central African Republic Integrated Operational Team (CAR IOT)

Job Description

Work Location: In-person/ New York, USA

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is for six (6) months. This internship is UNPAID, in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from New York, USA.

The Intern will support the work of the Central African Republic Integrated Operational Team (CAR IOT), which covers the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Responsibilities:

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 implementation of mandate of MINUSCA;
• 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 peacekeeping;
• Draft weekly reports on the political and security situation for the Security Council;
• Assist in the preparation of communication materials, including presentations;
• Participate in meetings and draft minutes/meeting summaries;
• Carry out individual research assignments and contribute to briefing materials on peacekeeping related issues;
• Perform any other duties as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

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);
• (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

Languages

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

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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.

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.

DEADLINE: Feb 20, 2026