The United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC) is looking for a Political Affairs Intern for a 6-month, full-time internship at its Liaison Office - Europe in Brussels, Belgium. The intern supports research, monitoring and reporting on EU and Human Rights Council work related to the children and armed conflict mandate. Applications close on 18 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy and set out every detail below.
The Internship at a Glance
📌 Position: Political Affairs Intern
🏛️ Department/Office: Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict
🆔 Job Opening ID: 285250
🗂️ Job Family: Political Affairs
🎚️ Category and Level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
👤 Recruitment Type: Intern
📍 Work Location: Brussels, Belgium
⏱️ Expected Duration: 6 months
🕘 Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Where the Office's Mandate Comes From
The mandate and work of the office derive from General Assembly resolution 51/77 and subsequent General Assembly resolutions, as well as successive Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict.
What the SRSG-CAAC Does
The role of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is to:
🧒 Strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict
📢 Raise awareness of their situation
📚 Promote the collection of information about the plight of children affected by war
🤝 Foster international cooperation to improve their protection
An In-Person Internship in Brussels
This internship takes place in person at the OSRSG-CAAC Liaison Office - Europe in Brussels, Belgium. It is a full-time placement of 35 hours per week, and interns work under the supervision of a staff member in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
What the Political Affairs Intern Will Do
The intern performs the following functions to support various projects on a temporary basis:
🔍 Conduct research and reference searches on various issues related to the children and armed conflict mandate, including political and security developments and humanitarian issues
📡 Support monitoring and reporting on EU and Human Rights Council discussions, initiatives and processes relevant to the mandate
📝 Attend and take notes at conferences and meetings
🎤 Assist in servicing conferences and meetings
📄 Assist in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles and other materials
🧩 Perform other duties as assigned
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Academic Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 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 or equivalent)
Skills and Qualities the Office Is Looking For
💻 You are computer literate in standard software applications
🌐 You can demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations
📜 You have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🗺️ You have a demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs
🤲 You are willing to try to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
No Professional Experience Required
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
Language Requirements: English and French
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position:
🗣️ Fluency in both English and French is required
💬 Knowledge of Spanish is desirable
Costs, Travel and Visas
The internship is unpaid. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations:
✈️ Costs and arrangements for travel are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions
🛂 The same applies to visas
🏠 The same applies to accommodation
🧾 The same applies to living expenses
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship takes place 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.
The United Nations Never Charges a Fee
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process: application, interview meeting, processing or training. It also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. You can read more about how we verify every opportunity and the red flags to watch for.
If you are building a career in international affairs, child protection or human rights, you can find more internship opportunities like this one on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Political Affairs Intern at OSRSG-CAAC do?
The intern conducts research on issues related to the children and armed conflict mandate, supports monitoring and reporting on EU and Human Rights Council discussions, takes notes at conferences and meetings and helps prepare reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points and articles.
Where is the internship based?
It takes place in person at the OSRSG-CAAC Liaison Office - Europe in Brussels, Belgium.
How long is the internship and how many hours per week?
The expected duration is 6 months, and the internship is full-time at 35 hours per week.
Is the internship paid?
No. The internship is unpaid, and interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Who can apply?
Applicants enrolled in or having completed a graduate school programme, or enrolled in or having completed the final academic year of a first university degree (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent).
Which languages do I need?
Fluency in both English and French is required for this position. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.
Do I need work experience?
No. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
Will I need a visa?
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Belgium may need the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization, and should discuss their visa requirements before accepting the offer.
Does the United Nations charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not ask for information on applicants' bank accounts.
Deadline
⏳ 18 October 2026
Link
🔗 Apply Now (Job Opening 285250): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285250?language=en
