The United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC) is seeking Geographical Information Systems interns for its Data Unit, with New York as the duty station and a flexible in-person, remote or hybrid work location. The expected duration is 6 months, and applications close on 07 January 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening, and all of its details are below.
Job Opening 270034: The Essentials
📌 Position: Geographical Information Systems Intern
🆔 Job Opening ID: 270034
🗂️ Job family: Political Affairs
🏛️ Department/Office: Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Department of Peace Operations, Shared Structure
📍 Duty station: New York
💻 Work location: Flexible (in-person, remote, or hybrid)
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment type: Candidate Pool, Intern
⏱️ Expected duration: 6 months
A Candidate Pool for Placements Through January 2027
🧺 This job opening is used to build a pool of qualified candidates.
📅 The pool will be used to fill internship vacancies between January 2026 through January 2027.
Producing GIS Maps for the United Nations
🧭 The intern supports the team in the production of GIS maps for a variety of purposes and users, including:
🛠️ Operational support
📣 Advocacy
💡 Awareness-raising
♟️ Strategic planning
Inside the UNOCC Data Unit
Interns take up assignments within the Data Unit of UNOCC. The Unit conducts integrated analysis, modelling and data engineering that informs senior UN leadership and decision-making fora on:
🌡️ Country risk outlooks
🚨 Crisis developments
📈 Predictive and historic trends
What the UN Operations and Crisis Centre Provides
The UNOCC provides:
🌐 Global situational awareness
🧯 Crisis and risk management
🔀 Facilitation of cross-pillar analysis and decision-making in the UN
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How the Centre Fits Into the UN Structure
The UNOCC is a multi-party entity, with the following reporting and oversight lines:
👤 It reports to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU)
🕊️ On peacekeeping matters, it has oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS)
📋 It receives strategic oversight from a Client Board of principals from each of the client entities
🧱 It is operationally positioned under the ODCSS, between the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations
The Coursework UNOCC Wants to See
UNOCC seeks candidates with relevant coursework in:
📡 GIS
🔭 Remote sensing
🖊️ Cartography
🎨 Visualization
📐 Spatial analysis
🧮 Modeling
⌨️ Geospatial programming
🗄️ Geospatial data management
If you are comparing this kind of placement with other routes, our guide on the difference between a fellowship, an internship and a traineeship explains what each one involves.
The Kind of Teammate They Are Looking For
🤝 A team player who is collaborative, reliable and communicative
🎯 Someone who consistently works to support their teammates and the team's goals
Language Rules for UN Interns
🗣️ Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship
🎙️ English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
➕ Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage
🔠 The official languages of the United Nations Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
What Candidates Pay For Themselves
💶 UN internships are unpaid
✈️ Candidates are required to cover the cost of travel, including visa
🏠 They also cover accommodation
🩺 Health insurance is the candidate's responsibility
🧾 So are other living expenses for the duration of the internship
A Recruitment Process With No Fee
🆓 The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training
🙅 The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts
Who Should Consider This GIS Internship
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the job opening, this placement suits candidates with GIS and geospatial coursework who want to see their maps used for UN operational support, advocacy and strategic planning. Readers interested in longer-term UN pathways can also read our guide to the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme. Find more placements in the Internship and Traineeship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the GIS intern at the UN Operations and Crisis Centre do?
The intern supports the team in producing GIS maps for a variety of purposes and users. These include operational support, advocacy, awareness-raising and strategic planning.
Can this UN GIS internship be done remotely?
Yes, the work location is listed as flexible, meaning in-person, remote or hybrid. The duty station is New York.
How long does the internship last?
The expected internship duration is 6 months. The job opening builds a pool of qualified candidates to fill internship vacancies between January 2026 through January 2027.
What background does UNOCC look for in GIS interns?
UNOCC seeks candidates with relevant coursework in GIS, remote sensing, cartography, visualization, spatial analysis, modeling, geospatial programming and geospatial data management. It is also looking for a collaborative, reliable and communicative team player.
Which team will the intern join?
Interns take up assignments within the Data Unit of UNOCC. The Unit conducts integrated analysis, modelling and data engineering that informs senior UN leadership and decision-making fora.
Which languages are required for this internship?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
Is the UN GIS internship paid?
No, UN internships are unpaid. Candidates are required to cover the cost of travel including visa, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses for the duration of the internship.
Do applicants pay a fee to the United Nations?
No, the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training.
Deadline
⏳ 07 January 2027
Links
🔗 Job opening: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/270034?language=en
