Programme Management & Innovation Intern

Work LocationHybrid (a few days per week in-person in New York, USA, and a few days per week remote). Expected duration3-6 months. Desired start date is 15 September, or sooner. Duties and ResponsibilitiesOffice Background The Digital Enablement Team (DET) is tasked with driving the implementation of the Strategy for Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping (DTS), which envisages technology as a transformative enabler to directly enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers and improves mandate implementation. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and nongovernmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. This role is located in the Digital Enablement Team (DET) for UN Peacekeeping in the Office for Coordination and Shared Services (OCSS) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations Shared Structure (DPPA-DPO-SS). The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours), with supervision and support of a staff member. Interns are expected to come into the office at least three days a week, in keeping with UNHQ-NY hybrid working policies. This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person for first 3 months then with possibility of adjustment based on the needs of the office and the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. Responsibilities The Intern’s duties may include: • Assist in the identification, development, implementation, and evaluation of digital transformation initiatives. • Carry out background research on peacekeeping-related challenges, digital solutions, emerging technologies, and innovation methodologies. Synthesize findings into actionable insights and contribute to briefings, reports, and strategic recommendations. • Design and conduct surveys, stakeholder consultations, and data-gathering exercises. Analyze and visualize data, and assist in drafting summaries, insights, and reports that inform programme decisions. • Support the planning and facilitation of workshops, co-creation sessions, consultations and support in liaising with relevant UN entities, field missions, and external partners as needed. • Draft and contribute to various written outputs, including background notes, talking points, meeting summaries, presentation decks, analytical briefs, and content for internal and external communications. • Maintain organized records of meetings, project documents, and innovation tools. Contribute to knowledge-sharing efforts, including through DET’s repositories, intranet pages, and toolkits. • Assist with the day-to-day coordination of workstreams and events. This includes tracking tasks and deadlines, taking meeting minutes, maintaining project management platforms, and monitoring progress against implementation plans. • Assist in organizing and delivering in-person, virtual, and hybrid meetings and events. Tasks may include preparing agendas, coordinating with participants, setting up digital platforms, managing polls, and following up on action points. • Support DET’s efforts in measuring the progress and impact of innovation and digital transformation activities, including through indicators, feedback mechanisms, and after-action reviews. • Provide logistical, administrative, and operational support for the team’s ongoing work, including scheduling, note-taking, and document and presentation deck formatting. • Carry out additional tasks as required to support DET’s priorities and the implementation of the Strategy for Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. Qualifications/special skillsWe are open to a broad range of educational backgrounds. An academic background in Strategy Development, Innovation, IT, Engineering, Project Management, or Public Administration is beneficial. Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (1) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or (2) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent); or (3) have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2) above. We also ask that applicants: (1) Be computer literate in standard software applications; (2) Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and (3) Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additional InformationThe United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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 of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country's nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship. The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid or on the UN-premise duty station. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems 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 Common System cannot be engaged as an intern. In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible. A complete online application is required. reviewed. The Motivational Statement must also include: • Title of degree you are currently pursuing. • Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?) • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Intern Specific textInterns 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/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE 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.