Political Intern

Job Description

Work Location: Flexible

Expected duration: 3-6 months.

Desired start date: 16 March 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is for three (3) months with a possibility of extension up to six (6) months. This internship is UNPAID, full-time (35 hours per week) and in-person working arrangement from the United Nations Headquarters in New York (USA). This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or hybrid.

The internship is located in the Europe and Central Asia Division (ECAD) in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) of the United Nations Secretariat.

The Europe and Central Asia Division (ECAD) is one of the eight regional divisions in the shared regional structure of the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The shared structure, established in 2019 following the reform of the UN’s peace and security architecture, is responsible for the entire range of UN political and operational engagements on peace and security issues, including the provision of strategic, political and operational guidance, analysis and direction, and integrated operational support for prevention and sustaining peace, as well as crisis monitoring and response.

ECAD consists of four sub-regional teams.

The intern will work as a member of the Eastern Europe team contributing to its daily work.

The Eastern Europe Team covers 12 countries and three regional organizations, and backstops the DPPA Liaison Office in Kyiv.

Duties and responsibilities of the intern may include but are not limited to:

• Monitoring media reports and political and security developments in the region;
• Conducting background research and analysis of relevant issues and trends in the region;
• Following and reporting on relevant meetings of the UN Security Council and General Assembly;
• Attending other meetings and events and preparing summary notes;
• Providing logistical and other assistance in organizing meetings and events;
• Preparing briefing material for senior officials;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

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.

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 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

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 are available 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.

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