United Nations – Syria International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) Internet Research Internship 2026 | Apply by 13 December 2025

United Nations – Syria International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) Internet Research Internship 2026 | Apply by 13 December 2025

Organization	United Nations – Syria International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM)
Post Name	Internet Research Intern
Category & Level	Internship, I-1
Duty Station	Geneva (Switzerland) – internship designed to be remote
Work Schedule	Full-time, 40 hours per week
Duration	6 months (start around 12 January 2026; adjustable)
Last Date to Apply	13 December 2025

The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) was established to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.

• Support tasks related to internet research for the Information Systems Management Section (ISMS).
• Conduct targeted open-source research and analysis on Syria-related issues.
• Research and summarise political, economic, social, technological and legal issues related to the current Syrian situation.
• Assist with frameworks and processes related to information governance.
• Compile relevant research and analysis into a final presentation for IIIM.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner and meet deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information accessed during the internship.
• Work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating professionalism and respect for colleagues and stakeholders.
• Note: Assignments will not involve work directly with evidentiary material in the IIIM’s Central Repository.

• Field of study closely related to the internship: international relations, journalism, law, international politics, or similar.
• Strong research and analytical skills, especially in open-source and internet research.
• Ability to synthesise literature and complex information into concise outputs.
• High standards of confidentiality, integrity and professionalism.
• Capacity to work independently, manage time and meet deadlines.
• Good teamwork and communication skills in a multicultural environment.

The internship offers hands-on experience in open-source research, information governance, and analysis within a UN accountability mechanism focused on serious international crimes.

Interns gain exposure to UN standards of information management, professional ethics and multidisciplinary analysis of conflict-related contexts.

The IIIM internship is unpaid and full time (40 hours per week), and is designed to be remote, with the possibility to adjust the work location upon request by the successful candidate.

• Enrolled in, or completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• Enrolled in, or completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• Field of study closely related to international relations, journalism, law, international politics or similar.
• No prior professional work experience is required for the UN Internship Programme.

Final-year bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. student or recent graduate (bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant field such as international relations, journalism, law or international politics.

No specific age limit is mentioned; candidates must meet the academic enrolment or recent graduation criteria.

Post	Vacancies
Internet Research Intern	5 positions

No category-wise reservation is specified; selection is based on qualifications and organizational needs.

No application fee. The United Nations does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Event	Date
Date Posted	4 December 2025
Application Deadline	13 December 2025
Expected Start Date	12 January 2026 (adjustable)
Duration	6 months (adjustable upon request)

Candidates must submit a complete online application (cover letter and references); incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Short-listed candidates may be contacted directly for further information; due to high volume, non‑shortlisted candidates will not be contacted.

1. Go to the UN Careers website and search for Job Opening ID 268585 (Internet Research Intern).
2. Complete the online application form in English.
3. Upload required documents, including:
   • Cover letter explaining motivation and dates of availability.
   • List of three references.
   • Proof of enrolment or graduation as per eligibility criteria.
4. Submit the application before 13 December 2025.

• Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations; all travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are borne by the intern or sponsoring institution.
• Interns must secure adequate medical and life insurance and provide proof; the UN accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents or illness.
• There is no expectation of employment with the UN or IIIM at the end of the internship.
• Interns must keep all unpublished information confidential and may not publish reports or papers based on it without written authorization.
• For in‑person internships in Geneva, some nationalities require a visa; IIIM can provide supporting documents, but the visa is the intern’s responsibility.
• Children or siblings of UN staff members are not eligible for internships; other close relatives cannot work in the same work unit or under direct/indirect supervision of that staff member.

• Practical experience in open-source research and analysis related to an active conflict situation.
• Exposure to UN standards of information governance and confidentiality.
• Insight into the work of an international accountability mechanism supporting investigations of serious international crimes.

• Relevant academic background (international relations, journalism, law, international politics or similar).
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Ability to conduct structured internet research and summarise complex issues.
• Professional behaviour, confidentiality and ability to work with potentially distressing material.

Fluency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an advantage.

• Official Job Description / Apply Online
• UN Careers – Main Site

• Is the internship paid? No, IIIM internships are unpaid; all costs are borne by the intern or sponsor.
• Is this internship remote? Yes, it is designed to be remote, with possible adjustment upon request.
• What is the weekly workload? Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Does the internship lead to a UN job? No, there should be no expectation of employment after the internship.
• Do I need previous work experience? No professional experience is required, but a closely related field of study is necessary.
• Are there any application fees? No, the UN does not charge any fee at any recruitment stage.