JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Location

In-person

Expected duration

Expected duration: 3-6 months. Desired start date is 15 February 2026. February-August 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) plays a central role in United Nations efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts around the world. DPPA supports the Secretary-General’s peace initiatives, oversees mediation, political transition and peacebuilding processes, and assists UN Member States as they carry out elections. This internship is in the Americas Division, DPPA-DPO at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Americas Division also serves as DPPA’s global focal point on Indigenous issues. The Intern will support DPPA’s work on Indigenous Peoples’ engagement in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and early warning processes. The duration of the internship is three (3) months with the possibility of extension to six (6) months. This internship is UNPAID, in person and full-time (35 hours per week), based at UN Headquarters (New York, USA). This internship can be adjusted, subject to the needs of the successful candidate, to part-time (20 hours per week). The incumbent reports to the Americas Division’s Focal Point for Indigenous Peoples, under the overall supervision of the Division’s Director. The responsibilities of the incumbent include, but are not limited to:

• Attending and providing analytical notes of conferences and meetings, including the 25th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues, to be held at UN Headquarters in April 2026;
• Drafting thematic papers, briefing materials, profiles, pieces of correspondence, etc.;
• Researching on Indigenous conflict methodologies and Indigenous peacebuilding;
• Media monitoring and analysis of relevant events;
• Assisting in the organization of meetings; Competencies Communication: -Speaks and writes clearly and effectively -Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately -Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication -Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience -Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed Teamwork: -Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals -Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others -Places team agenda before personal agenda -Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position -Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings Client Orientation: -Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view -Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect -Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions -Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems -Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects -Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Qualifications/special skills

Political Science and International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Law, particularly relating to human rights and sustainable development, Indigenous Studies and Anthropology, and related fields preferred. Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: a.  Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

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. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country”s nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship. The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid or on the UN-premise duty station. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization. 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.