The United Nations Youth Office is looking for a Policy Intern to join its UN System Coordination and Accountability section, with New York as the duty station. The internship is expected to last 3 months with a desired start in October/November 2026, it can be done in person in New York or remotely, and applications close on 21 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening and gathered every duty, requirement and condition in one place.
Key Facts About the Policy Internship
📌 Position: Policy Intern
🏛️ Department/Office: United Nations Youth Office
📍 Duty Station: New York, United States
🏠 Work Location: In person in New York or remote
🕒 Modality: Full time or part time modalities would be considered
⏱️ Expected Duration: 3 months
🚀 Desired Start Date: October/November 2026
🆔 Job Opening ID: 286317
🏷️ Category and Level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment Type: Intern
⏳ Deadline: 21 October 2026
What Is the UN Youth Office?
On 8 September 2022, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 76/306 to establish a UN Youth Office as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the Secretariat.
The UN Youth Office is mandated to:
🧭 Lead system-wide youth coordination, advocacy and policy coherence across the UN
🙋 Promote the meaningful engagement of young people in UN processes and decisions
Amplifying Youth Voices at the Global Level
A critical dimension of the Office's work includes:
💬 Facilitating youth consultations
👥 Promoting intergenerational dialogue
📣 Amplifying the voices and contributions of young people at the global level, including during key UN moments such as the General Assembly
Youth2030: The UN's System-Wide Strategy on Youth
Youth2030, the UN's system-wide strategy on youth, was launched by the Secretary-General in 2018. It outlines the achievement of impact for youth through joint action of the UN and collaboration with young people. The strategy delineates four foundational areas and five priority areas of action.
Where the Intern Will Be Placed
The intern will be placed in the UN System Coordination and Accountability section of the UN Youth Office and will contribute to:
📘 The work on the Youth2030 strategy
🏟️ The event on UN Youth Townhall, which will bring young people, governments, the United Nations, civil society, the private sector and others into one space
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in United States →
────────────────────────────────────────
Working Days, Supervision and Daily Responsibilities
🗓️ The intern is expected to work four to five days per week
🏢 The work takes place within the United Nations Youth Office, located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
👤 Tasks are carried out under the supervision of a staff member, the supervisor
🔀 Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the department to which they are assigned and the period during which they undertake the internship
Research, Data and Knowledge Sharing
The intern will work in areas of policy on youth issues, including:
🔍 Assisting to carry out research on selected aspects of youth policies, programmes, youth-led ideas and solutions and other activities or systems relevant to the youth agenda
📊 Assisting in data collection, analysis and dissemination on working with and for youth; supporting knowledge sharing and management
Toolkits, Case Studies and Promising Practices
🧰 Assisting in mapping and collating tools and resources to advance the youth agenda and supporting the development of a toolkit
📝 Assisting in identifying, compiling and drafting case studies and promising practices on youth issues, to support a global showcase; supporting capacity building efforts
Events, Briefs and Talking Points
🎤 Supporting youth engagement and the organization of special events, conferences, workshops and High-Level events, highlighting youth leadership
🗒️ Supporting the preparation of substantive materials across a range of issues through briefs, talking points and speeches, and providing succinct analysis of key developments
🔄 Performing other duties as required
Academic Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet one of the following:
🎓 (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent)
📗 (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
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 Need Work Experience?
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is related to the type of internship is required.
Skills and Experience That Make a Difference
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and other analytical tools, is required
⭐ Experience on youth engagement or youth related policy-programming is an asset
🌱 Experience in Sustainable Development, Human Rights, Peace and Security or Humanitarian action is desirable
Language Requirements
🗣️ Fluency in English is required for this post
🇺🇳 English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
➕ Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable
Questions You Will Answer in the Application
The job opening lists the following questions for candidates:
✈️ Candidates for the UN Internship Programme are required to cover the cost of travel including visa, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses for the duration of the internship. Will you be able to cover all the above-mentioned expenses?
🔁 Have you completed a UN Internship before? If yes, include the UN entity as well as concrete dates
👪 Do you have a family member(s) currently working in the UN Common System (UNCS)? If yes, include the type of family member, first name, last name, date of birth, nationality, birth date, what UNCS the person works for, and whether the person is an active or inactive staff member
Family Relationship Rule
Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations Secretariat. An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister, including step-parents, step-children and step-siblings, of a staff member.
Visa and Work Authorization in the United States
For internships in the United States of America, persons who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or on another non-immigrant status (such as F1 or J1 visa) will be required to obtain a G4 visa. The selected person will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT) allowing them to undertake the internship.
Costs, Travel and Living Expenses
💼 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 at Any Stage
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.
If you are weighing this placement against other routes, our guide to how internships abroad for students really work explains the main options. You can also find more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UN Youth Office Policy Intern do?
The intern supports research on youth policies and programmes, data collection and analysis, mapping tools for a youth toolkit, drafting case studies and promising practices, organizing special and High-Level events, and preparing briefs, talking points and speeches. The work contributes to the Youth2030 strategy and the UN Youth Townhall.
Can the internship be done remotely?
Yes. The work location is in person in New York or remote, and full time or part time modalities would be considered.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
The expected duration is 3 months, with a desired start date of October/November 2026.
Is the UN Youth Office internship paid?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visa, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses are covered by interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students in the final year of a bachelor's degree, Master's or Ph.D. students, and graduates of a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. programme can apply. No professional work experience is required, but a field of study related to the internship is.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Do international interns in New York need a special visa?
Persons who are not US citizens, permanent residents or on another non-immigrant status such as F1 or J1 will need a G4 visa, along with approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT).
Can children or siblings of UN staff apply?
No. Children or siblings of a staff member are not eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations Secretariat, and an appointment is not granted to a parent, child or sibling of a staff member, including step-parents, step-children and step-siblings.
Does the UN charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 21 October 2026
Link
🔗 Job opening and application (Apply Now): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286317?language=en
