The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET) is offering a project-based Internship in Programme Management (Event Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement) at its liaison office in Geneva, Switzerland, in person or remote. The internship lasts 3-6 months, with a desired start in November 2026, and applications close on 22 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy, and every requirement is set out below.
Internship at a Glance
🔢 Job Opening ID: 285590
🧭 Job Family: Programme Management
🏷️ Category and Level: Affiliate Personnel: Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment Type: Intern
🏛️ Department/Office: Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology
📍 Work location: in person in Geneva, Switzerland, or remote; full-time or part-time modalities would be considered
⏱️ Expected duration: 3-6 months
🗓️ Desired start date: November 2026
About UNODET: Mandate of the Office
The position is located in the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UNODET). UNODET was established on 1 January 2025, with a mandate to:
🧠 Advise the senior leadership of the United Nations on key trends in technology, so as to guide the strategic approach taken by the Organization on such issues
📣 Serve as advocate and focal point for digital cooperation, through engagement with Member States, the technology industry, civil society and other stakeholders
🗨️ Facilitate multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on digital and emerging technologies
⚙️ Strengthen system-wide coordination within and across the United Nations system on digital and emerging technologies
📘 Support the follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact (A/RES/79/1 Annex 1)
Through the Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, UNODET also leads the implementation of the Secretary-General's vision on digital cooperation. It works closely with various UN entities and multi-stakeholder groups, facilitating dialogue to accelerate global digital cooperation and seizing on the opportunities presented by technology, while mitigating the risks, so that progress towards achieving the Goals by 2030 can be made collectively.
UNODET also carries out other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Secretary-General, including follow-up actions from the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the report "Our Common Agenda".
How the Geneva Internship Works: Project-Based, Two Tracks
UNODET offers internship opportunities with its liaison office in Geneva. The internship is project-based, and the selected intern will contribute to one of two tracks: Track 1 (Event Planning and Coordination) or Track 2 (Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Coordination). You must indicate the track you are interested in in your motivation statement.
Track 1: Event Planning and Coordination
🎪 Supporting the planning, coordination and delivery of UN high-level events, including the second edition of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and related preparatory meetings, consultations, workshops and side events
🚚 Assisting in coordinating the event logistics, participant management, invitations and registration processes
📝 Preparing background notes, agendas, speaking points, briefing materials and session summaries
🧩 Supporting coordination across multiple partners and workstreams to ensure timely delivery of meeting and event outputs
Track 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Coordination
Track 2 supports the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), including by:
🌍 Engaging stakeholders across sectors to promote awareness and participation in GDC implementation
🏢 Contributing to system-wide UN coordination on digital and emerging technologies, by assisting in the preparation and organization of consultations and briefings with UN entities and other stakeholders
🪑 Attending relevant UN meetings, preparing meeting notes and draft summary reports
🔍 Monitoring developments in relevant UN mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, UNCTAD conferences and Geneva-based processes
🖥️ Developing and curating content for the GDC online platform (UN Digital Cooperation Portal)
📊 Contributing to the preparation of internal briefing materials, presentations and reports for senior officials and colleagues
Who Can Apply? Academic Requirements
To qualify for an internship through the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
📚 Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent)
🏅 Have graduated with a university degree as defined in the two requirements above
The vacancy asks for studies preferably in the areas listed below in a graduate school (second university degree or higher). If you are pursuing your studies in a country where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, you must have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a relevant degree.
Preferred Fields of Study
Interested candidates can pursue a broad range of studies, as indicated below:
🗺️ International Relations
🗳️ Political Affairs
⚖️ Law
📈 Economics
💼 Public or Business Administration
🔐 Technology Governance
🗄️ Data Governance
🕸️ Internet Governance
📡 Communications
📰 Media Studies
👥 Sociology
Desired Skills
🤖 Familiarity with and interest in technological governance, such as internet governance, artificial intelligence, and digital human rights online and/or international cooperation on digital and emerging technologies
🗂️ Excellent organizational and project coordination skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
💬 Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage professionally with a diverse range of stakeholders
🎟️ Experience supporting the organization of meetings, events or multi-stakeholder processes is desirable
🛠️ Experience with website content management and digital communication platforms is desirable
Language Requirements
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position:
🔤 Fluency in English is required
🗣️ Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage
Is the UN Internship Paid? Costs, Visas and Work Authorization
🚫 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 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 does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts
How to Apply: Name Your Track in the Motivation Statement
Please indicate the track you are interested in (Track 1 or Track 2) in your motivation statement.
Is This Internship a Good Fit for You?
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the vacancy, this internship suits graduate students, final-year university students and graduates in International Relations, Political Affairs, Law, Economics, Public or Business Administration, Technology Governance, Data Governance, Internet Governance, Communications, Media Studies or Sociology who want hands-on experience in digital cooperation and technology governance at the United Nations. Track 1 centres on event logistics and meeting preparation, while Track 2 centres on stakeholder engagement and policy coordination. As the internship is unpaid, our guide to how internships abroad for students and recent graduates are funded explains the main routes. You can also browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the UNODET Programme Management Intern do?
The intern contributes to one of two project-based tracks at the UNODET liaison office in Geneva. Track 1 covers event planning and coordination, including the second edition of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, while Track 2 covers stakeholder engagement and policy coordination for the implementation of the Global Digital Compact.
How do I choose between Track 1 and Track 2?
You choose the track you are interested in and indicate it in your motivation statement. Track 1 is Event Planning and Coordination, and Track 2 is Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Coordination.
Where is the internship based, and can I work remotely?
The work location is in person in Geneva, Switzerland, or remote. Full-time or part-time modalities would be considered.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
The expected duration is 3-6 months, and the desired start date is November 2026.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate school programme, be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), or have graduated with a university degree. Studies are preferably in the area of the fields listed in the vacancy, in a graduate school (second university degree or higher).
Which fields of study are preferred?
The vacancy lists International Relations, Political Affairs, Law, Economics, Public or Business Administration, Technology Governance, Data Governance, Internet Governance, Communications, Media Studies and Sociology. It states that interested candidates can pursue a broad range of studies.
What if my country does not divide higher education into undergraduate and graduate stages?
In that case you must have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a relevant degree.
Is the internship paid?
No. 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.
Do I need a visa or work authorization?
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 vacancy set a nationality requirement?
The vacancy does not list a nationality requirement. It only notes that interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country of the internship may need a visa and work authorization.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Is there an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 22 October 2026.
Deadline
⏳ 22 October 2026
Link
🔗 Vacancy and application (Apply Now): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285590?language=en
