UNODET, the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, is accepting interns to support its global digital cooperation and AI governance mandate. If you're interested in shaping how the United Nations responds to artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and the broader transformation of society through technology, Youth Works Hub is highlighting this as one of the most forward-looking UN internships currently open.
About UNODET: The UN's Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies
Established on 01 January 2025, UNODET operates within the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology. It was created with a formal mandate to meet the growing demands of the digital age at the UN level:
🏛️ Advise senior UN leadership on key trends in technology, guiding the Organization's strategic approach to digital and emerging issues
🌐 Serve as the 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 on digital and emerging technologies
📄 Support 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 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, seize opportunities presented by technology, mitigate risks, and support progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. UNODET also carries out follow-up actions from the Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the report "Our Common Agenda."
UNODET supports the AI governance mechanisms established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 79/325, which include:
🧠 The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
🌐 The Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
Thematic Areas: What You'll Be Working On
Depending on the office's priorities at the time and your own skills and interests, the internship may involve contributing to one or more of the following areas:
📄 Follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact
🔗 Digital cooperation and United Nations system-wide coordination
🌱 Digital acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
🏗️ Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including DPI safeguards
🤝 Multistakeholder engagement, knowledge management, and programme support
🤖 AI governance and capacity development, including support to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
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🌍 All opportunities in the United States →
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Responsibilities and Day-to-Day Tasks
Assignments are project-based and shaped by the office's needs at any given time. Interns may be asked to assist with:
🔍 Research and analysis on digital cooperation, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence governance, and other emerging technology issues, as well as related multilateral processes
🛠️ Knowledge-management, communications, data-analysis, and digital innovation activities across UNODET's portfolio, including the development and use of AI-enabled tools to improve internal workflows
📝 Preparation of briefing materials, background notes, presentations, reports, and other materials for internal and external stakeholders
📅 Planning and implementation of high-level meetings, consultations, workshops, and multistakeholder events
🗒️ Organization and servicing of meetings and dialogues, including preparation of documentation, meeting summaries, and follow-up actions
🌐 Stakeholder engagement and coordination with Member States, United Nations entities, academia, civil society, the private sector, and other partners
📡 Monitoring developments related to implementation of the Global Digital Compact and other UNODET priorities
📋 Other related tasks as required by UNODET staff, within the supervised scope of the internship
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the United Nations Headquarters 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 university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent)
🏅 Have graduated with a university degree as defined above
Candidates from countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages may also qualify if they have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution toward the completion of a relevant degree.
Accepted Fields of Study
UNODET welcomes candidates from a broad range of academic disciplines, including:
🏢 Business Administration
🏛️ Public Administration
📜 Public Policy
💻 Computer Science
📊 Data Science
🌍 International Relations
⚖️ Law
📈 Economics
🔧 Engineering
🧠 Machine Learning
🖥️ Information Systems
🔄 Digital Transformation
📌 Or a related field
Language Requirements
🗣️ Fluency in English is required (English is a working language of the United Nations Secretariat)
🌐 Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage
Work Location, Format, and Duration
📍 In-person in New York, United States, or remote; both full-time and part-time modalities would be considered
⏳ Expected duration: 3 to 6 months
📅 Desired start date: January 2027
Compensation and Financial Information
⚠️ This internship is not financially remunerated. The United Nations does not provide any financial compensation to interns under this programme. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are entirely the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training.
Visa and Work Authorization Requirements
For the in-person option in the United States, the following applies:
🛂 Persons not holding US citizenship, permanent residency, or another non-immigrant status (such as an F1 or J1 visa) will be required to obtain a G4 visa
🗂️ The selected intern is personally responsible for ensuring they hold a valid visa and approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT) allowing them to undertake the internship in the United States
💬 Candidates are strongly advised to discuss their specific visa and authorization requirements with UNODET before accepting the internship offer
The remote option may avoid the need for a US visa or work authorization. Candidates interested in the remote modality should clarify this directly with the office once selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this UN internship paid?
No. This internship is not financially remunerated. All UN Headquarters internships under this programme are unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and living costs, unless covered by a sponsoring institution.
Can I complete this internship remotely?
Yes. UNODET accepts both in-person (New York) and remote modalities. Full-time and part-time arrangements are both considered. Candidates interested in the remote option should clarify details with the office upon selection.
What level of academic experience is expected?
Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate programme, in the final year of a Bachelor's-level programme, or already hold a university degree. Candidates from countries with non-bifurcated higher education systems may qualify after four years of full-time study.
What fields of study are accepted?
UNODET accepts a wide range of backgrounds including Computer Science, Data Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Law, Economics, Engineering, Machine Learning, Information Systems, Digital Transformation, Business Administration, Public Administration, and related disciplines.
Do I need prior experience with AI governance or digital policy?
The internship is designed as a learning experience. No prior UN experience is required. A demonstrated interest in digital cooperation, AI governance, multilateral processes, or digital public infrastructure would strengthen your application.
What is the Global Digital Compact?
The Global Digital Compact (A/RES/79/1 Annex 1) is a UN framework that outlines shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for all. UNODET is responsible for supporting its follow-up and implementation, and this internship may directly contribute to that work.
Are there any application fees?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, meeting, processing, or training.
Browse more international internship listings on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 09 November 2026
Link
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286816?language=en
