Political Affairs Intern: Research and Analysis on Security Council practice
Assist in research and analysis on Security Council practice.
Overview
Assist in research and analysis on Security Council practice.
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).
- Ability to conduct research and draft reports is required.
- Proficiency in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar, and standard office automation equipment.
- Knowledge or prior experience with producing social media content and engaging in social media monitoring (primarily X (formerly Twitter)) is an advantage.
- Knowledge of visualization tools such as Power BI and Canva is an additional asset.
- 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).
Contract
This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.
Work Location
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 a hybrid working arrangement at the UN Premise, New York, United States. The advertised internship is offered with the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch is the advisory and research arm of SCAD. Its core functions are to prepare the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, mandated by General Assembly resolution 686 (VII) of 5 December 1952; to provide guidance and information on Council practice/procedure to Member States, the Secretariat, NGOs and academics; to provide substantive servicing to the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions; to provide assistance for the familiarization of new Council members on the evolving practice and working methods of the Council and to deliver the functions of the UN Secretariat’s focal point on issues related to Security Council reform. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch, the intern may undertake a range of activities, including, but not limited to, the following: •Conduct research on events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they relate to the countries and thematic mandates on the agenda of the Security Council; •Assist the Branch with documentation and cataloguing information related to the evolution of the practices and working methods of the Council and/or its subsidiary bodies; •Conduct research, analysis and drafting of studies for the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council; •Assist the Branch in its outreach efforts, including through the preparation of social media content; •Assist in the further development of the Division's computerized databases capturing the contemporary practice of the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies; and participate in the updating of the Division’s computerized databases; •Performing 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); (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. Ability to conduct research and draft reports is required. Proficiency in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar, and standard office automation equipment, scanner, printer, etc. is required. Knowledge or prior experience with producing social media content and engaging in social media monitoring (primarily X (formerly Twitter) is an advantage. Knowledge of visualization tools such as Power BI and Canva is an additional asset.
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
| Describe a time when you conducted research for a project. What was your process? | This question evaluates your research capabilities and methodology. | Discuss the steps you took, the resources you utilized, and the outcome of that research. |
| Can you share an experience where you had to present your findings? How did you prepare? | Interviewers want to assess your communication skills and presentation abilities. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What experience do you have with social media content creation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you manage multiple tasks and deadlines? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What tools or applications are you proficient in that would assist you in this internship? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your understanding of the role of the Security Council within the UN. Why is it important? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you discuss a situation where you had to engage with diverse viewpoints? How did you approach it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What motivates you to apply for this internship with the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |