The United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC) is building a pool of Political Affairs interns for information analysis and data visualisation in New York, United States, for three to six months. Interns join the Research and Liaison Unit or the Prevention Team, and applications close on 6 May 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official posting so you can see the tasks, the academic rules and the working arrangements.
Key Facts About This UN Internship
🏛️ Department/Office: Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations-Shared Structure
📍 Duty station: New York
🗂️ Job family: Political Affairs
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
📋 Recruitment type: Candidate Pool, Intern
🔢 Job Opening ID: 276487
🖥️ Work location: In-person (New York) (preferred), Remote, and/or Hybrid
⏱️ Expected duration: three to six months
A Candidate Pool for Unpaid Internships
This is a Generic Job Opening used to build a pool of qualified candidates. It will be used to fill unpaid internship vacancies between May 2026 and May 2027.
Duration and Working Arrangements
The expected duration of the internship is three to six months, preferably in-person in New York. Three-month internships may qualify for an extension of an additional three months. Internship duration and modality may be altered at the request of successful candidates, dependent on the needs of the Research and Liaison Unit or Prevention Team.
What the UN Operations and Crisis Centre Does
The UNOCC provides global situational awareness, crisis management and cross-pillar integrated analysis to inform senior decision making in the UN. It is a multi-party entity reporting to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU), and on peacekeeping matters, with oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS).
The UNOCC also 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 Two Teams Hosting Interns
Interns take up assignments within the Research and Liaison Unit (RLU) or the Prevention Team of UNOCC. Both deliver cross-pillar analysis, research and data-driven services for senior UN interagency leadership, integrating peace and security, humanitarian, sustainable development, human rights and operational perspectives.
🛡️ Prevention Team intern: contributes to the research and preparation of visual analytics to support between 10-15 high-level internal interagency meetings focused on UN preventive engagement at the thematic, regional and national level
🌐 RLU intern: contributes to the research and analysis of situations of concern pertaining to country and regional dynamics and developments, including the preparation of visual analytics for UN senior leadership on situations of concern
Research, Monitoring and Analysis Duties
Under the overall supervision of the respective RLU or Prevention Team leader, the intern may:
🔎 Support the monitoring, research and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) of context specific political and security developments, human rights situations, economic and social developments, and humanitarian issues aligned with UN system-wide activities and priorities
⚠️ Support the monitoring and analysis (qualitative and quantitative) of country and thematic risks, aligned to UN system-wide priorities
Visual Analytics and Data Work
🗺️ Assist in preparing visual slides and analytical briefs for cross-pillar and integrated analytical outputs for senior UN leadership, including analytical maps, graphs and other visuals, using Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Think-Cell, possibly a Geographic Information System program and other standard methodology and templates
📈 Assist in preparing visual slides and analytics (charts, graphs, infographics, maps) for senior UN leadership using standard methodology and templates
🗃️ Assist in identifying sources of data, maintaining established records and datasets and the further development of responsive sets of data and indicators for use on analysis products
🧮 Identify data sources, and maintain and develop data sets, dashboards and standard briefing material
🧾 Assist to process, organize and transcribe structured surveys to support evidence-based decision making
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Meetings, Presentations and Senior-Level Support
🎤 Support delivery of presentations to Member States, including by compiling, processing and visualizing information in a collaborative setting under time pressure
📝 Participate in meetings and draft minutes or meeting summaries as required
✉️ Assist in the preparation of talking points and other senior-level correspondence
🧭 Support the tracking and analysis of senior-level decisions and their implementation
Core Competencies
🗣️ Communication: communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, adapting messages to different audiences
🤝 Teamwork: works collaboratively and constructively with colleagues to achieve shared objectives, contributing to a positive and results-oriented team environment
🗓️ Planning and Organizing: plans and organizes work efficiently, managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines and using resources effectively to deliver results
✅ Accountability: takes ownership of responsibilities, honours commitments and delivers outputs with reliability and professionalism
💻 Technological Awareness: actively leverages technology to enhance efficiency, support analysis and improve work processes
Fields of Study and Desirable Skills
Candidates are sought with degree programmes and relevant coursework in the following areas:
🌏 International relations
🗳️ Political science
👥 Social science
📑 Public policy and policy analysis
💹 Economics
⚖️ Law
🔬 Data analysis
📐 Statistics
📎 A related area
Strong research and analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative), including data visualization and data management, are highly desirable for this role. Experience with Geographic Information Systems and mapping is also desirable.
Academic Qualifications
The minimum educational qualification required is a high school diploma. You must also 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 recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent)
If you are still comparing formats, our guide on fellowships, internships and traineeships explains how they differ.
Language Requirements
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and 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.
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), and it does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. You can also read how Youth Works Hub checks opportunities, and browse more internships on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNOCC Political Affairs internship paid?
No. The posting states that this Generic Job Opening will be used to fill unpaid internship vacancies between May 2026 and May 2027.
Can the internship be done remotely?
The work location is listed as in-person in New York (preferred), remote and/or hybrid. Modality may be altered at the request of successful candidates, dependent on the needs of the Research and Liaison Unit or Prevention Team.
How long does the internship last?
The expected duration is three to six months. Three-month internships may qualify for an extension of an additional three months.
Who is eligible academically?
You need at least a high school diploma and must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme. Alternatively, you can be enrolled in, or have recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme.
Which tools does the intern use?
The posting mentions Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Think-Cell, and possibly a Geographic Information System program. Experience with Geographic Information Systems and mapping is desirable.
Is there an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training.
Deadline
⏳ 06 May 2027
Links
🔗 Apply on Inspira: https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=276487&languageCd=ENG
🖇️ Official job posting: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/276487?language=en
