Work Location

New York (in person)

Expected duration

4-6 months, with a desired start date of 3 March 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is seeking a qualified intern for its Front Office for a period of 4 to 6 months, with a preference for 6 months. UNODA advises and assists the Secretary-General in the discharge of his responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and the implements mandates given by the General Assembly, the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations system in the area of disarmament and related security. It supports multilateral efforts aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, including through support for norm-setting through the work of the General Assembly and its First Committee, the Disarmament Commission, the Conference on Disarmament and other bodies. UNODA is also mandated to provide objective, impartial and up-to-date information on disarmament issues and activities to Member States, States parties to multilateral agreements, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, departments and agencies of the United Nations system, research and educational institutions, civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public. For more information, please refer to: https://disarmament.unoda.org. The UNODA Front Office provides substantive and organizational support to the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, and the Director and Deputy to the High Representative in the execution of their responsibilities. In coordination with UNODA’s Branches, Offices and Regional Centres, the Front Office provides strategic advice to the High Representative and Deputy on cross-cutting and emerging disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation issues, and supports their participation in meetings of the United Nations organs and engagements with Member States, other UN entities and civil society. The Front Office also facilitates meetings of the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters and coordinates implementation of UNODA-wide policies, including on gender and inclusion. This internship is unpaid and is designed to be full-time and in-person at the New York duty station. The manager may allow part-time, remote or hybrid internships at the request of the successful candidate. The Intern, under the supervision of a primary supervisor, shall be assigned to the Front Office and must adhere to the established official working hours five days per week with one hour for lunch break. The manager may consider some flexible time arrangements at the request of the successful candidates. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background as well as the internship period. Interns shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to: • Contribute to the preparation of background documents, talking points, speeches, summaries and memoranda. • Conduct analyses of open-source information in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as relevant UN process. • Provide organizational support to and attend meetings/conferences/events, and prepare meeting reports. • Support development of communication products for the High Representative and Director, including social media and web posts. • Support review of UNODA-wide policies, such as its Strategic Plan. • Provide English-Japanese translation support in connection with official engagements and events. • Fulfill other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following conditions: • 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 level or equivalent). Please note that you will be asked to provide an official certificate at a later stage demonstrating that you meet this criterion.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. For this position, knowledge of Japanese is desirable.

Additional Information

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, applicants should be studying, or have completed studies, in a field that is closely related to this internship.

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.