The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is recruiting an Intern in research and project management for its Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS) in Vienna, Austria. The internship lasts six months, from 1 January to 30 June 2027, is full-time and is unpaid. Applications close on 18 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Inside the Firearms Trafficking Section
The internship is located with the Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS), part of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB) of UNODC in Vienna. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of professional staff of the office to which they are assigned.
Who the Section Is Looking For
Candidates with a background and interest in research, political and social affairs, project management and related areas are particularly encouraged to apply. The job opening adds that the listed tasks include all the main responsibilities of a potential intern, but will be tailored according to the profile of the selected interns.
Supporting the Section's Technical Assistance and Tools Development
The first duty is broad: the intern will support the work and activities of the Firearms Trafficking Section, including its technical assistance activities and its tools development work.
Research on Firearms Trafficking
Research is at the centre of the role. The intern will conduct research on various aspects related to the firearms trafficking situation and related topics in regions and countries of priority interest, and will contribute to the preparation of:
📄 Technical documents
🗂️ Background papers
🗺️ Country profiles
📰 News events
🖥️ Presentations
📊 Reports and summaries
🎤 Talking points and speeches
Preparing Workshops, Trainings and High-Level Events
The intern will assist in the preparation of technical assistance activities, including:
🛠️ Workshops
🎓 Trainings
🤝 Meetings
🏛️ High-level events and conferences
The intern also supports the related follow-up actions once these activities are completed.
Fundraising Support: Concept Notes, Proposals and Budgets
The job opening states that the intern will support fundraising activities by preparing concept notes, project proposals and budgets. This is the part of the role that makes the "project management" label in the title concrete.
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Media Reviews and Weekly Briefs
The intern will conduct regular media reviews on firearms-related incidents and events and disseminate weekly briefs among the GFP team. Related follow-up actions include research, tweets and news events.
Correspondence, Meeting Notes and Written Outputs
Two further duties cover day-to-day office work:
✉️ Drafting ordinary correspondence and communications, and attending and taking notes at meetings
📝 Assisting in the preparation of a wide range of written outputs, including briefing notes, reports, minutes, PowerPoint presentations, project proposals, activity and project progress reports, note verbales and letters
The list closes with a standard line: perform other tasks as necessary.
Academic Requirements of the United Nations Internship Programme
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 (a) Be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
📖 (b) Be enrolled in, or have recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent)
The job opening restates this in a second place: applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), a Master's or Ph.D. programme or equivalent, or must have recently completed a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. programme.
A Field of Study Related to the Internship
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. If you are comparing this placement with other routes into the field, our guide to fellowship vs internship vs traineeship explains how the formats differ.
Proving Your Academic Status
Applicants are asked whether they meet any of the criteria above. If yes, you must indicate which one and attach proof to the application. You will also have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Skills and Values the Office Expects
The job opening lists the following:
🖥️ Computer literacy in standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams
🇺🇳 A demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🌐 A demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
📰 Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable
📋 Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable
Language Requirements
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of an additional United Nations official language is an advantage. The official languages of the Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Costs: Interns Are Not Paid by the United Nations
The internship is unpaid. 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. If you are weighing unpaid and funded options, see how paid internships abroad work for students and recent graduates.
Visa and 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 or 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 carries a standard warning in capital letters: it does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, whether at application, interview meeting, processing or training. It also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. You can browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Intern in research and project management do at UNODC?
The intern supports the Firearms Trafficking Section with research on firearms trafficking, technical documents and country profiles, preparation of workshops, trainings and high-level events, fundraising documents such as concept notes, proposals and budgets, media reviews with weekly briefs, and a wide range of written outputs.
Where is this UNODC internship based?
The work location is Vienna, Austria, within the Firearms Trafficking Section of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
The internship runs for six months, from 1 January to 30 June 2027, with a desired start in January 2027. It is full-time, five days per week (40 hours).
Is the UNODC internship paid?
No. The internship is unpaid, and costs for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Who can apply to the United Nations Internship Programme?
Applicants must be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a graduate school programme, or be enrolled in, or have recently completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme at minimum bachelor's level. A field of study closely related to the internship is required.
Is professional work experience needed?
No. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a closely related field of study is required.
What proof of studies is required?
You must indicate which academic criterion you meet and attach proof to the application. An official certificate must be provided at a later stage.
Which skills are expected?
Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams, plus a keen interest in the work of the United Nations. The ability to draft news articles or social media posts and to design surveys and polls is desirable.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional United Nations official language is an advantage.
Does the United Nations charge 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
⏳ 18 November 2026
