Political Affairs Intern

Assist in research and projects related to gender equality and peace.

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UN DPO - Department of Peace Operations

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Application deadline 9 days ago: Friday 22 May 2026 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Assist in research and projects related to gender equality and peace.

You have:

  • 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)
  • Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word and MS PowerPoint
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship
  • Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage

Contract

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

Work Location

Flexible (Remote, Hybrid or in-person)

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is for six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and may be either full-time or part-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-person, in a hybrid or remote working arrangement at the UN Premise, New York, United States. This internship is located in the Gender Unit of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Departments intend to recruit two intern to support the Gender Unit. Responsibilities: • Assist in conducting research on issues related to women, peace and security, such as gender equality, gender-sensitive conflict analysis, women's political participation, women’s participation in mediation, peace processes and peace agreement implementation mechanisms, protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, integration of gender in UN processes, and gender and digital technologies. • Assist in preparing summary notes of meetings, conferences, and seminars through attending meetings with partner entities, Member States and regional and other organizations. • Proactively contribute to providing logistical and other assistance in organizing conferences, seminars, meetings, and interactive workshops and trainings, as needed. • Assisting in project planning and evaluation; and assist in preparing briefing materials and talking points for managers and senior officials. • Assist in collating and analyzing data and information to promote learning and knowledge management on women, peace and security in the peace and security pillar. • Assist in the planning and organizing of training initiatives on WPS, contribute to the development of learning and knowledge products, including coordinating with peacekeeping missions when needed. • Drafting and preparing internal and official documents for review. • Contribute to the implementation of the WPS communications strategy. Assist in developing content for WPS strategic communications products, including related to drafting of blog posts, articles and other digital products as well as the maintenance of the DPPA-DPO WPS Community of Practice.

Qualifications/special skills

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. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, and MS PowerPoint.

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

Not available.

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

Can you explain how your studies have prepared you for this internship? This question is aimed at understanding your academic background in relation to the internship. Discuss relevant coursework, projects, and skills gained from your studies.
Describe a time when you had to conduct research on a complex issue. What was your approach? This question assesses your research skills and methodology. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you contribute to the Gender Unit's objectives during this internship? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Give an example of a successful group project and your role in it. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you consider for effective knowledge management on women, peace, and security? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you stay informed about current issues related to gender equality and peace? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share your experience with organizing events or workshops? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you understand by gender-sensitive conflict analysis? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 23 days ago - Updated 9 days ago - Source: careers.un.org