Instructional Design

Internship Programme & Policy

Overview

Assist in designing and developing training content for the UN.

You have:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, be enrolled in, or have completed, the FINAL academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent).
• Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed within the last six months, a graduate programme (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Education, or a closely related field.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
• For internships in the United States, requirement to obtain a G4 visa for non-U.S. citizens, ensuring valid visa and approved employment authorization.
• Ability to assist in designing, developing, and updating training content across a variety of subjects relevant to UN staff, applying instructional design principles and methodologies.
• Ability to create engaging learning materials, including presentations, facilitator guides, learner handouts, exercises, and assessments.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

This full-time internship requires physical presence in New York for the duration of the assignment. Interns may be permitted to work remotely up to two days per week but must reside in the New York area to report to the office as required.

Expected duration

Expected duration: 6 months Desired start date: 8 September 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

OFFICE BACKGROUND: The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Capacity Development and Operational Training Service (CDOTS) provides operational training, language and communications training, training on enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, knowledge management, and leads as the main facilitator of business process management activities in the UN Secretariat. This internship position is located in the Data and AI Training Team (DATT) within the Capacity Development and Operational Training Service (CDOTS) of the Department of Operational Support (DOS). DATT leads the design and delivery of training programmes that strengthen data and AI capabilities across the UN Secretariat, directly supporting the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy and UN 2.0 objectives. The intern will report to the Team Lead and work under the daily guidance of Instructional Designers and Subject Matter Experts. OFFICE DUTIES: Under the supervision of the Team Leader and instructional design staff, the intern will: • Assist in designing, developing, and updating training content across a variety of subjects relevant to UN staff, applying instructional design principles and adult learning methodologies. • Help create engaging learning materials, including presentations, facilitator guides, learner handouts, exercises, and assessments. • Support the team in preparing both instructor-led training (virtual or in-person) and self-paced e-learning modules, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with learning objectives. • Conduct research on best practices in instructional design and adult learning to keep training content current and innovative. • Assist in reviewing course materials for quality, accuracy, and learner engagement, incorporating feedback from peers and subject matter experts. • Participate in meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews, documenting discussions and following up on assigned tasks.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, 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). For this internship, applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed within the last six months, a graduate programme (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Education, or a closely related field. COMPETENCIES required to undertake the internship • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens actively and seeks clarification; tailors communication to different audiences; shares information openly. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; monitors and adjusts plans as necessary. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve shared goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: careers.un.org