SSuRGe Intern - Political Affairs

Apply for a remote internship in Political Affairs at UN SSuRGe team based in Italy.

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

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Application deadline 6 months ago: Thursday 4 Dec 2025 at 04:59 UTC

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Overview

Apply for a remote internship in Political Affairs at UN SSuRGe team based in Italy.

You have:

  • Applicants must 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).
  • Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.
  • Knowledge of French is desirable.
  • Candidates must provide an official certificate indicating their current educational status.

Contract

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

Work Location

All remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The internship is for six months. This all remote internship is UNPAID and full-time (35 hours per week), designed to be full-time but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. A full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial four months. Internships may be extended up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division. This virtual position is located within the Security Sector Reform and Governance Standing Capacity (SSuRGe) based in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi, Italy. The political affairs intern reports to the Chief of SSuRGe team based in Brindisi, Italy. Within the delegated authority, the intern will be responsible for the following duties:  Support country- and/or regional-level backstopping activities;  Gather, research, analyse and present information from various sources;  Assist in the drafting of various official documents (e.g. minutes, briefing notes, draft notes…etc);  Assist in the team's planning and preparatory efforts for field support;  Assist in data and information management including monitoring;  Support the organization of 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); (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, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

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 French is desirable.

Additional Information

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. 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. reviewed. 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.

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

Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. The interviewer wants to understand your unique qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and your passion for working in political affairs and within the UN.
What is your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme? This assesses your motivation for wanting to intern at the UN. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you describe your experience with document drafting and any software tools you've used? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle multiple competing priorities in a project? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe how you would conduct research for a political report. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What skills do you bring that will assist in organizing meetings and events? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure accuracy and thoroughness in your analyses? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What challenges do you anticipate in this internship, and how would you overcome them? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.un.org