Work Location

Flexible (Hybrid, all remote, or in-person)

Expected duration

3-6 months. Desired start date is 6 January 2025, or sooner.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is located in the Innovation Cell of the Policy and Mediation Division in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). Responding to the Secretary-General’s call for the United Nations to leverage innovative practices and emerging technologies, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) established the Innovation Cell in 2020. This team has been pivotal in leading experimentation and pilot projects, both at UN Headquarters and within special political missions. The Innovation Cell has developed tools to enhance data analytics for political analysis, helps advance inclusivity in peace and political processes through AI-driven digital dialogues, contexts and follows global technology trends and their strategic implications. Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in digital dialogues, generative AI, and social media analysis as tools for advancing peace and security efforts. They should be eager to explore how innovation can support conflict prevention, peacemaking, and peacebuilding, using emerging technologies to drive insights and foster more inclusive, tech-enabled approaches to global peace initiatives. The duration of the internship is for three (3) months with a possibility of extension to six (6) months. This internship is UNPAID in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from (New York, USA). This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. Duties may include, but are not limited to: • Support all stages of innovation projects, from brainstorming and project planning to project evaluation and post-project communication efforts • Conduct research in innovation areas of interest to the Division, such as innovation for conflict analysis, peacemaking and peacebuilding • Preparation of briefing materials, analytical documents, and talking points for managers and senior officials • Assistance in project-specific tasks, such as communication outreach, generative AI briefings, social media analysis, digital dialogues. • Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings related to innovation for peace • Assistance with logistics during conferences, meetings, and interactive presentations • Support the recruitment of and coordination with consultants and external partners

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 will have a strong interest in digital dialogues, generative AI, and social media analysis as tools for advancing peace and security efforts. 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 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

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.