UN Political Affairs Internship 2026 – Department of Peace Operations New York - Apply by 28 December 2025

UN Political Affairs Internship 2026 – Department of Peace Operations New York - Apply by 28 December 2025

The Leadership Support Section (LSS) supports the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations in the UN Secretariat. It focuses on the identification and appointment of senior leadership in UN Field Missions, including Special Representatives and Envoys. The section sources senior talent, manages recruitment, and supports currently serving leaders to empower them to fulfill their mandates.

• Research & Database Management:
  • Conduct online research to update the database of potential candidates for senior leadership positions.
  • Create new profiles and conduct due diligence checks using open sources.
  • Support database clean-up and reviews of profiles for selection processes.
• Reporting & Documentation:
  • Prepare mission and country profiles with background documentation and mapping of key stakeholders.
  • Monitor and provide weekly reports on global leadership news within the UN, regional organizations, and Member States.
  • Collect data on leadership trends and support the preparation of internal progress reports.
• Outreach & Support:
  • Support outreach initiatives by assisting with the preparation of meeting documents and promotional materials using Canva or Adobe products.
  • Attend webinars and information sessions and produce short summaries.
  • Support projects related to onboarding, assessment processes, and leadership support initiatives.

• Education Status: Applicants must meet one of the following:
  • Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
  • Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's degree).
• Field of Study: Must be closely related to the internship (Political Affairs, International Relations, Peace and Security, etc.).
• Work Experience: No professional work experience is required to apply.

No specific age limit is mentioned; eligibility is strictly based on current academic enrollment or recent graduation status.

Candidates must be a student in the final year of a Bachelor's degree, or enrolled in/completed a Master's or Ph.D. programme.

• Software Skills: Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams is required.
• Data & Design: Knowledge of data management (Power BI, Salesforce) and graphic/visual editing software (Canva) is highly desired.
• Communication: Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is required. Ability to design surveys and polls is desired.
• Core Values: Demonstrated interest in the peace and security field and commitment to the UN Charter. Willingness to be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language (especially French) is an advantage.

No category-wise breakdown is provided. The UN Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

No Fee. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training).

• Date Posted: 14 December 2025
• Application Deadline: 28 December 2025
• Desired Start Date: 1 February 2026, or sooner

• Financials: Interns are not financially remunerated. Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.
• Visa (USA): Interns not citizens/permanent residents of the US must obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the US on another non-immigrant visa, you must ensure you have valid employment authorization.
• Family Relations: Applicants who are children or siblings of active UN staff members cannot be engaged as interns.
• Prior Internships: Applicants who have already served 6 months as an intern in the UN system are not eligible.

• A complete online application is required.
• The cover note/motivational statement is critical for selection.
• Potential candidates will be contacted for further assessment.

• Visit the official job page: careers.un.org.
• Motivational Statement Must Include:
  • Title of degree currently being pursued.
  • Graduation Date.
  • Explanation of why you are the best candidate.
  • Explanation of your interest in the UN Internship Programme.
• In your Personal History Profile, include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.
• Submit application before 28 December 2025.

• Apply Online: Click Here to Apply
• UN Main Site: www.un.org

• Is this internship paid? No, this is an UNPAID internship.
• Is it remote? There is a strong preference for in-person availability in New York, but it may be adjusted to hybrid or remote based on needs.
• What visa do I need? Non-US citizens require a G-4 visa.
• Can I apply if I have graduated? Yes, if you have completed your degree recently or are enrolled in a second degree.
• Is there an application fee? No, the UN never charges a fee.
• What software knowledge is essential? MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Teams are required; Canva and Power BI are highly desired.