The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support, and oversight of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the Department's work is aligned under a clear mission: to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. This internship opportunity is located in the Policy, Intergovernmental and Partnerships Section (PIPS), within the Office of the Chief of Staff (OCOS). As the Secretariat for the Inter-Agency Security Management Network (IASMN), PIPS coordinates the development and promulgation of common UNSMS policies, supports senior management on key substantive issues related to strategic planning of the Department, and contributes to the efforts of UNDSS to enable the implementation of United Nations mandates while ensuring the safety and security of United Nations personnel.
What You Will Do
Within assigned authority, the interns are expected to undertake the following duties:
🗒️ Produce minutes of IASMN-related discussions and other meetings
📰 Produce weekly briefings on relevant global security developments
🔍 Conduct research to respond to queries on various security policy issues
📚 Contribute to developing knowledge products on security for UNSMS personnel, including summary papers, handbooks, infographics, and webinars
💶 Research existing and potential donors and partners and key security-related funding trends
🗂️ Update the digital database that captures donor priorities, funding trends, and donor intelligence relevant to UNDSS's mandate
🤝 Support donor meetings, briefings, and advocacy events by drafting background notes, preparing presentations, and contributing to follow-up actions
✅ Fulfill other duties as required
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Who Can Apply
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following conditions: be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or have graduated with a university degree (as defined above). A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include the title of the degree you are currently pursuing, your graduation date, the IT skills and programmes you are proficient in, your top three areas of interest, an explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship, and an explanation of 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. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications, including MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and have proficiency in written and verbal communication, including the ability to prepare reports and presentations.
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Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
The Details
🗓️ Duration: up to six months (three to six months, depending on the needs of the Department)
📅 Start date: 4 January 2027
🕘 Schedule: unpaid and full-time, five days (35 hours) per week; designed to be in person and full-time, may be adjusted to part-time upon request, and can be adapted to accommodate hybrid arrangements (20 hours per week) on an exceptional basis
📍 Location: In-person, New York, United States
Funding and Visa
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 or employment authorization, and successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
Deadline
⏳ 26 August 2026
