The United Nations Department of Global Communications is recruiting up to two Public Information Interns for the Civil Society and Academic Impact Section in New York, supporting the UN Academic Impact initiative. The internship is unpaid and full-time, lasts 4 to 6 months from a desired start date of 1 December 2026, and applications close on 22 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
About the UN Academic Impact Initiative
UN Academic Impact is an initiative that engages institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realization of United Nations goals and mandates. These include the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability, and conflict resolution.
Where the Internship Sits
The internship is in the Civil Society and Academic Impact Section within the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. Working under the supervision of the Associate Public Information Officers, the intern contributes to a project on strengthening the digital communications of the UN Academic Impact with universities and institutions of higher learning.
The job opening ID is 287218, in the category Affiliate Personnel, Internships, level I-1, with recruitment type Intern.
Duration, Hours and Working Arrangement
⏳ The internship runs for a minimum of four months, with an opportunity for extension up to six months
🗓️ The desired start date is 1 December 2026
🏢 It is in person and based on the United Nations premises in New York, USA
🕘 It is designed to be full-time: 35 hours a week, five days a week
🔀 It can be adjusted to part-time (less than 34 hours a week) and/or remote, based on the needs of the successful candidate
👥 The internship is available for up to two candidates
The Project in Five Stages
The project is carried out in the following stages:
🔬 Research: conduct research on thematic issues related to the principles and mandate of the UN Academic Impact, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education and sustainability and conflict resolution
📊 Audience analysis: analyse and develop the membership and network databases to identify audience characteristics by region and discipline
✍️ Digital content series: produce content for the UN Academic Impact website, LinkedIn account and newsletter, including short articles and graphics, for review by staff
🎤 Event support: participate in the planning and organization of project-related lectures and events, including researching speakers, preparing invitations, presentations and promotional material, so that universities and institutions of higher education can best interact and collaborate
📈 Assessment: review the performance of the content series using website and social media analytics, and present findings and recommendations to the team
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Academic Eligibility: Who Can Apply
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
📘 (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations or a related field
Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. programme.
Do You Need Work Experience?
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship you are applying for is required.
Proof of Eligibility in Your Application
The application asks whether you meet any of the criteria above. If yes, you indicate which one and attach proof to the application. You will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Skills the Team Is Looking For
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams
🌐 A demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
📝 Skills and experience in writing, social media and multimedia production are strongly desired
🧪 An assessment of your writing skills is desirable and may be conducted prior to an interview
Language Requirements
🗣️ Fluency in English is required for the internship
🇺🇳 English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat
➕ Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable
🌏 The official languages of the UN Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Is the UN Internship Paid? Costs and Visa Arrangements
🧾 The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns
✈️ Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions
🛂 For internships in the United States, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa
📄 If already in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns are responsible for ensuring they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization allowing them to undertake the internship
✅ Before commencing an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization
Because the placement is unpaid, it helps to plan your funding early. Our guide to how internships abroad for students really work explains the main routes and how funded and unfunded placements differ. You can also browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Who Cannot Be Engaged as an Intern
🚫 Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN entities in the UN Secretariat cannot be engaged as an intern
👪 Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Secretariat cannot be engaged as an intern
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). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the UN careers portal before the deadline. In the application, state which academic requirement you meet and attach proof of it. An official certificate will be requested at a later stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UN Public Information Intern do?
The intern contributes to a project on strengthening the digital communications of the UN Academic Impact with universities and institutions of higher learning. The work covers research, audience analysis, a digital content series, event support and assessment of content performance.
Is the UN Public Information internship paid?
No. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
The internship lasts a minimum of four months, with an opportunity for extension up to six months, and the desired start date is 1 December 2026. Up to two candidates can be taken.
Can the internship be part-time or remote?
It is designed to be full-time and in person in New York (35 hours a week), but it can be adjusted to part-time (less than 34 hours a week) and/or remote based on the needs of the successful candidate.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme, or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations or a related field. No professional work experience is required.
Which skills and languages do I need?
You need fluency in English and good knowledge of MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams. Skills and experience in writing, social media and multimedia production are strongly desired, and knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Do I need a visa for the internship in New York?
Interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. Proof of visa and/or work authorization must be submitted before the internship starts.
Does the UN charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not concern itself with applicants' bank account information.
Deadline
⏳ 22 November 2026
Links
🔗 Job opening: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/287218?language=en
📝 Application (Apply): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=287218&languageCd=ENG
