Political Affairs Intern null

Your role

Position Summary:

The Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Middle East Division (MED) is seeking a qualified intern. The duration of the internship is three (3) months with a possibility of extension up to six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time.

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 internship is an unpaid and full-time opportunity. Interns will be assigned to a primary supervisor and must adhere to the established official working hours five days per week with one hour for lunch break.

Responsibilities:

The Intern shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor political, socio-economic, humanitarian, and other relevant developments in the Middle East region.
• Provide research analysis on policy issues related to the nexus of peace and security with development.
• Contribute to the drafting of notes, background papers, talking points, speeches, and other materials on peace and security issues relevant to the Middle East region, including for MED leadership.
• Participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, and consultations with other DPPA-DPO divisions and other UN entities, as relevant; and take notes of the proceedings.
• Provide support for meetings convened by the Middle East Division.
• Provides support to Special Political Missions and/or UNCTs in non-mission settings in the Middle East region, as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

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).
• Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• 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 students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master or PH.D. Programme.
• If you meet any of the above criteria, 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.
• If you have completed a UN Internship before, please include the UN entity as well as concrete dates.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For this position, fluency (both oral and written) in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Additional Information:

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa.
• If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.
• For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country's nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.
• The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid, or on the UN-premise duty station.
• Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization.
• 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.

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

The DPPA-DPO Middle East Division internship offers training in political and socio-economic analysis, policy research, and drafting key UN documents. Interns gain hands-on experience by supporting high-level meetings, participating in working groups, and collaborating on peace and security initiatives. Throughout the internship, they develop valuable skills in research, communication, and international relations.

Career Progression

Internships with the UN do not guarantee immediate employment, but they provide valuable experience that may lead to interest in applying for General Service or consultancy roles. For those aiming for positions at the Professional and Higher or Field Service levels, it is recommended to wait at least six months after the internship ends before applying, ensuring qualifications meet both educational and work experience requirements specified in job openings.

How to apply

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.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/job
• careers.un.org/payandbenefits
• study.sudancareer.com/?p=941
• youtube.com/@unjspf2992