The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is offering a 6-month internship in its NGO Liaison Unit, part of the Political Affairs and Partnerships Section in the Office of the Director-General. The selected intern is expected to start on 12 January 2027, and applications close on 22 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening, and every duty, requirement and condition is set out below.
Job Opening 286123 at a Glance
📌 Position: Intern, NGO Liaison Unit, Political Affairs and Partnerships Section
🆔 Job Opening ID: 286123
🏛️ Department/Office: United Nations Office at Geneva
📍 Duty station: Geneva
🗺️ Work location: Switzerland
🗂️ Job family: Social Affairs
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment type: Intern
⏱️ Expected duration: 6 months
🚀 Expected start: 12 January 2027
What the NGO Liaison Unit Does
The internship takes place in the NGO Liaison Unit, Political Affairs and Partnerships Section, Office of the Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Unit:
🧩 Maintains liaison with non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC)
🚪 Facilitates their engagement with the United Nations in Geneva
🎯 Serves as the focal point for all matters relating to NGOs in the Office of the Director-General
Duties and Responsibilities of the Intern
The intern is supervised by the head of the NGO Liaison Unit and the NGO Liaison Assistant. The responsibilities are:
🔍 Research and profiles: undertake research and draft or update NGO profiles and other background in preparation for meetings with NGOs in Geneva
📝 Meeting notes: take notes at various meetings, including NGO meetings held at the Palais des Nations
🕊️ Following NGO participation: follow NGO participation at the UN meetings in Geneva, in particular the sessions of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms
🎤 Side events: take notes during side events
📣 Strategic and public meetings: participate in meetings of strategic interest for the NGO Liaison Unit, attend public meetings with NGO participation and prepare summaries
📰 Communication tools: support the Unit in preparing communication tools such as the monthly newsletter to NGOs
📄 Guidelines and materials: draft guidelines and materials that facilitate the engagement of civil society actors with the UN, including flyers and updates for the UNOG website
🗣️ Talking points and speeches: research themes of interest to the Office of the Director-General and support the preparation of talking points and speeches for the Director-General or the Chief of the Unit
✉️ Correspondence: draft correspondence for the Director-General's signature
📚 Annual report: draft annual report articles and other communication materials
🧰 Unit support: support the Unit with a combination of administrative and substantive tasks and carry out any other ad hoc tasks required by the Chief of the Unit
Schedule and Working Hours
📆 The selected intern is expected to start on 12 January 2027 for a period of 6 months
💼 All UNOG internships are full-time
🗓️ Interns work five days per week
Who Is Eligible: Education Requirements
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, 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 Personal Qualities
Applicants must also:
💻 Be computer literate in standard software applications
🌐 Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🧭 Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to try to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
Language Requirements
📖 English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
🔤 Fluency in English and in French, both oral and written, is required for the Internship Programme
Is the Internship Paid? Costs, Visa and Arrangements
🧾 Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all UNOG internships are unpaid
🧳 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 of Recruitment
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process: application, interview meeting, processing or training. The United Nations also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Is This Internship a Good Fit for You?
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the job opening, this placement suits graduate students, recent graduates and final-year bachelor's students with a strong interest in the UN, civil society and the Human Rights Council, who work comfortably in both English and French and can cover their own living costs in Geneva or have a sponsoring institution. Because the internship is unpaid, you may find our guide to how internships abroad for students and recent graduates work useful when you compare routes and funding. You can also browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the NGO Liaison Unit Intern do at UNOG?
The intern supports the NGO Liaison Unit by researching and drafting NGO profiles, taking notes at NGO meetings and side events, following NGO participation at UN meetings in Geneva, preparing summaries, and supporting newsletters, guidelines, flyers and website updates. The intern also supports talking points and speeches for the Director-General or the Chief of the Unit and drafts correspondence and annual report articles.
Where is the internship based and how long does it last?
The duty station is Geneva, Switzerland, within the United Nations Office at Geneva. The internship lasts 6 months.
When does the internship start?
The selected intern is expected to start on 12 January 2027.
Is the UNOG internship paid?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all UNOG internships are unpaid. Costs for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Is the internship full-time?
Yes. All UNOG internships are full-time, and interns work five days per week.
What education do I need to apply?
You must be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent).
Which languages do I need?
Fluency in English and in French, both oral and written, is required for the Internship Programme.
Do I need a visa?
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.
Does the job opening list a nationality requirement?
No nationality requirement is listed in the job opening. The qualifications cover education, computer literacy, interest in the work of the United Nations, intercultural skills and languages.
Does the United Nations charge a fee to apply?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process: application, interview meeting, processing or training.
Who supervises the intern?
The position is under the supervision of the head of the NGO Liaison Unit and the NGO Liaison Assistant.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 22 October 2026.
Deadline
⏳ 22 October 2026
Link
🔗 Job opening and application (Apply Now): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286123?language=en
