Intern - Political Affairs

Organizational Context

The Leadership Support Section (LSS) within the UN Secretariat's Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations supports the identification and appointment of senior leadership for UN Field Missions. The section focuses on sourcing talent, managing vacancies, and recruitment processes, while also engaging in outreach and partnership-building to diversify the candidate pool for senior posts.

Job Purpose

This internship within the Leadership Support Section (LSS) aims to provide support to the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and of Peace Operations. The role contributes to the UN's leadership agenda by assisting in the identification, appointment, and support of senior leaders in UN Field Missions. The intern will gain practical experience in talent sourcing, recruitment processes, and outreach initiatives, directly supporting the Section's mandate to empower values-driven leaders for peace, stability, and prosperity. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the critical function of ensuring effective leadership across UN peace and security operations.

Responsibilities

Conduct online research to update and maintain a confidential database of potential senior leadership candidates, including creating new profiles and performing due diligence using open sources. Support database clean-up and profile reviews for selection processes. Prepare mission and country profiles with background documentation and stakeholder mapping for high-level recruitment. Assist in outreach initiatives by preparing meeting documents and promotional materials, utilizing basic graphic design skills. Monitor and report weekly on global leadership news relevant to the UN, regional organizations, and Member States. Collect data on leadership trends and support the preparation of internal progress reports using applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and Canva. Attend UN webinars and information sessions, producing summary reports. Provide support for other ongoing Section projects as requested.

Work Experience

Professional work experience is not required for this internship. However, a field of study closely related to the internship's focus is necessary. Applicants must be students in their final year of a bachelor's degree or pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have already completed such programs.

Skills

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Desired: data management using Power BI or CRM software, graphic/visual editing with Canva. Ability to draft news articles/social media posts. Ability to design surveys/polls. Strong research and analytical skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

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