The United Nations Global Compact Office (UNGCO) is offering internships in New York, lasting three to six months and starting from December 2026, in part-time or full-time formats, in person or remote. Applications close on 05 December 2026. The internship is unpaid. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full vacancy notice and set out every team, task and requirement below.
What the Global Compact Office Does
The Global Compact Office is the entity responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative, including the management of the Global Compact's name and logo and the Global Compact Integrity Measures. It pursues two complementary objectives:
🏢 Making the Global Compact and its principles part of business strategy and operations everywhere.
🤝 Facilitating cooperation among key stakeholders by promoting partnerships and other collective action in support of United Nations goals.
To promote its Ten Principles, the Global Compact also works on a range of corporate sustainability issues.
Format, Duration and Start Date
📅 Start: available internship opportunities commence in December 2026. Indicate clearly in your application which period you intend to start.
⌛ Duration: three to six months.
🧭 Working mode: part-time and full-time, in person and remote.
🗓️ Weekly rhythm: interns work five days per week under the supervision of a relevant staff member of UNGCO.
📍 Office: New York.
Thirteen Teams You Can Choose From
Internship opportunities are available in the teams below. Indicate clearly which team or teams you are interested in; you may select more than one.
🛠️ Global Operations
🗂️ Programmes
🎓 Principles for Responsible Management Education
📰 Communications and Media
📣 Participant Outreach and Engagement
🛍️ Marketing
🏛️ Government Affairs
🎪 Strategic Events
🔍 Integrity
🔗 Partnerships and United Nations Relations
🌍 Intergovernmental Relations and Africa
🧑💼 Chief of Staff
📊 Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
To learn more about the teams, the Global Compact has published an overview of its internship opportunities: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/about_the_gc/Global_Compact_Internship_Opportunities.pdf
What Interns Will Do
Under the supervision of a Programme Officer of the United Nations Global Compact Office and depending on their level of experience and training, interns receive assignments on specific projects in various teams. Project-related duties may include:
🔬 Conducting research relating to the topic of corporate sustainability.
✍️ Drafting and editing publications, papers and other documents.
💬 Liaising with Global Compact stakeholders on key corporate sustainability topics.
🗒️ Supporting the organisation of meetings and events.
📢 Assisting with outreach activities.
📧 Coordinating and responding to emails and other inquiries.
🧾 Performing administrative tasks, as required.
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Who Can Apply
To qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must 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 completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent).
No working experience is required to apply. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Skills and Interests the Office Looks For
💻 Computer literacy in standard software applications, including Excel.
🇺🇳 A demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
🌐 The ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
📖 Educational background or exposure to political science, history, international relations, corporate sustainability, law, public administration or related fields is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required.
Unpaid Internship: Costs and Arrangements
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. 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.
How to Apply
Indicate clearly in your application which period you intend to start your internship and which team or teams you are interested in. The application also asks whether you have completed a UN internship before; if you have, include the UN entity and the assignment dates.
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.
Find more placements like this one in the internship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UN Global Compact internship paid?
No. The vacancy notice states that the internship is unpaid. Travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or the sponsoring institution.
How long does the internship last and when does it start?
Internships last three to six months and the available opportunities commence in December 2026. Say clearly in your application which period you intend to start.
Can I do the internship remotely or part-time?
The notice describes the internship as part-time and full-time, in person and remote, with the New York office. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a relevant UNGCO staff member.
Which teams can I apply to?
There are thirteen teams, from Global Operations and Programmes to Communications and Media, Government Affairs, Integrity and Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. You may select more than one team of interest.
Who is eligible for the United Nations Internship Programme?
You must be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent). No working experience is required.
What language level is required?
Fluency in English is required for this internship. English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
Do I have to pay a fee to apply?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Youth Works Hub publishes new internships at international organisations as they open, so check back for similar roles.
Deadline
⏳ 05 December 2026
Links
🔗 Apply (Inspira): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=283986&languageCd=ENG
📄 Vacancy page: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/283986?language=en
🗂️ Global Compact internship teams overview: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/about_the_gc/Global_Compact_Internship_Opportunities.pdf
