Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping-Programme Management Intern (Start ASAP)

Your role

The team:

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world. It maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental, and nongovernmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action, and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. The DET leads on the implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) which sets out an approach to deliver a future UN Peacekeeping that is innovative, data-driven, and technology-enabled. The team oversees, coordinates, and facilitates the implementation of the strategy, providing guidance and support to those leading on various workstreams and initiatives. 

About this internship:

Interns report to full-time professional staff and focus on one of the two tracks set out under responsibilities. The internship is six (6) months with a possibility of extension. The internship is unpaid and is full-time. It should be noted that full-time internship working hours are 35 hours per week, while part-time internship working hours are 20 hours per week. The internship will be undertaken in a hybrid working arrangement at the UN Premise, New York, United States.

Area of Duties and Responsibilities:

Interns work as full members of its team and pursue projects that are designed to make UN Peacekeeping innovative, data-driven and technology-enabled.

Area 1: Coordination and Programme Management. This track resembles consulting-like work and focuses on the Governance and Programme Management aspects of the DTS:

• Support work on designing and implementing a Governance framework for the digital transformation of UN Peacekeeping
• Support the planning and programme management of the digital transformation of the UN Peacekeeping
• Support the preparation of senior-level meetings, conferences, and engagements
• Support the tracking and analysis of decisions and their implementation
• Develop and provide user support for visualizations/deliverables for senior managers

Area 2: Communications and Strategic Support. This track will focus on crafting a sustainable narrative for the DTS and will require good writing, planning, and organizing skills, as well as some experience in developing visuals, slide decks, and information packets:

• Support the preparation of senior-level meetings, conferences, engagements
• Attend meetings with UN counterparts and committees, draft action points and terms of
  • Reference for other stakeholders, as well as overall notetaking
  • Assist in speechwriting, messaging, and preparation of reports
  • Provide design support across a range of print/digital products, including presentations, factsheets, one-pagers, and other core identity products that illustrate the corporate vision, mission, values, and scope
• Support the development and management of websites (layout and content).

About you

Qualifications/Special Skills Required:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school 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 degree or equivalent)
• 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.
• The ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable.
• The ability to design surveys and polls is desirable

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

Intern Specific text:

• 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.

Compensation & benefits

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.

If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Rental subsidy
• Dependency allowances
• Travel and shipping expenses
• Danger pay and rest and recuperation break
• Health insurance
• Holidays and leave
• Retirement pension

Training & development

Interns receive comprehensive training in governance, program management, and strategic communications, contributing to the digital transformation of UN Peacekeeping. They gain experience in supporting senior-level meetings, creating visual deliverables, and crafting narratives for high-impact initiatives. This hands-on training equips interns with skills in project management, strategic planning, and effective communication, preparing them for innovative roles in technology-enabled environments.

Career Progression

UN personnel actively manage their career journeys by setting realistic goals and creating actionable career plans. Managers support this by aligning individual aspirations with career opportunities within the UN, while the Organization provides the necessary skill development and cohesive talent management practices.

Staff are supported and encouraged to develop their unique career paths at the United Nations. The program emphasizes mentorship and professional development, preparing interns for future roles within the UN and beyond.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription
• careers.un.org/payandbenefits
• careers.un.org/career-development
• instagram.com/uncareers/p/C59QcwVSFnc/?img_index=1
• youtube.com/@unitednations