Political Affairs Intern

Assist in various political affairs tasks related to disarmament.

This opening expired 6 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNODA - Office for Disarmament Affairs

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Application deadline 6 months ago: Friday 12 Dec 2025 at 04:59 UTC

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Overview

Assist in various political affairs tasks related to disarmament.

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 degree or equivalent).
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.
  • Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
  • Field of study that is closely related to the type of internship is required.

Contract

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

Work Location

In-Person

Expected duration

4-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is hosted by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) through its Conventional Arms Branch (CAB). ODA/CAB is seeking qualified interns for a period of 4–6 months, depending on the needs of the Branch and the availability of the selected applicant. ODA advises and assists the Secretary-General in the discharge of his responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and implements mandates given by the General Assembly, the Security Council, and other organs of the United Nations system in the areas of disarmament and related security. For more information, please refer to: https://www.un.org/disarmament ODA/CAB provides substantive support in the area of conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons control; weapons and ammunition management; arms transfers; transparency in armaments; military confidence-building measures; and armed violence reduction. For more information, please refer to: https://disarmament.unoda.org/conventional-arms/ The Political Affairs intern works under the overall guidance of the Chief of CAB and the direct supervision of the internship coordinator. This internship is unpaid and is designed to be full-time and in-person at the New York duty station. Interns will be assigned to a primary supervisor and are expected to adhere to official working hours, five days per week, with one hour for lunch. Flexible time arrangements may be considered at the request of the selected intern. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, assigned tasks, and the internship period. The intern may undertake the following duties, which include but are not limited to: • Draft and prepare official documents, summaries, talking points, speeches, remarks, and web content • Attend and summarize conferences and meetings • Conduct research, including document, media, and internet searches • Provide support during conferences and meetings • Perform other duties as required

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

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

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 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.

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.

Potential interview questions

Describe a time when you conducted research on a complex topic. What was your process? This question assesses your research skills and ability to manage complex information. Focus on a specific example, detail your research methods, and highlight any valuable findings.
How would you draft an official document for a meeting? The interviewer is evaluating your drafting and writing skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you would summarize a meeting or conference? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to communicate effectively with a diverse audience? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain how you manage your time and prioritize tasks, especially in a busy environment. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Tell us about a time you faced a significant challenge during an internship or project. How did you handle it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Why are you interested in this internship position at the United Nations? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 8 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.un.org