Civil Affairs Intern: Research, drafting, data collection and Innovation and analysis

Work Location

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

Expected duration

6 months. Desired start date is 1 September 2026, or sooner.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be in person and full-time, 35 hours per week, on United Nations premises in New York, United States of America. The internship may be adjusted, based on the needs of the successful candidate and the Division, to part-time, 20 hours per week, and/or remote. A full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial period of four months. Internships may be extended up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division.

This position is located in the Civil Affairs Team in the Policy and Best Practices Service, Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training, Department of Peace Operations. The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners. The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of the Policy Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations. It provides support to both DPO and DOS. The core function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, and thematic policy support in selected areas.

PBPS also leads several reform processes. Responsibilities of this internship will encompass many aspects of the Peacekeeping Policy and Best Practices Service's work.

These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in research and drafting related to Civil Affairs policy, guidance and surveys of practice, including local peacebuilding, community engagement, local conflict dynamics, Youth, Peace and Security, Community Liaison Assistants and Quick Impact Projects;
• Assist in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles, newsletters and other materials related to the work of Civil Affairs;
• Assist in capturing lessons learned, identifying good practices and documenting guidance gaps from Civil Affairs components in peacekeeping missions;
• Assist in developing communication and advocacy products that help explain Civil Affairs’ contribution to mandate implementation, including visual products, presentations and impact stories;
• Attend conferences, meetings and consultations, take notes and prepare summaries or readouts as required;
• Assist in servicing conferences, meetings, workshops and other events;
• Assist with project management and coordination of team workstreams;
• Proofread and copy-edit team documents and knowledge products;
• Assist in data collection, data analysis, information management and database management;
• Explore and propose the use of AI tools, including summarizing reports, extracting insights from qualitative data or automating workflows;
• Perform other duties as required.

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. Experience in research, drafting reports, and preparing, editing, and/or translating policy documents and communication products is desirable. Experience in and supporting the organization of events is desirable. Experience working with databases , data visualization softwares such as Power BI and strategic communications is desirable. Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools or methods is an advantage, particularly where relevant to data analysis, content summarization, database management, or policy research support, is desirable.

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.

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.