Duties and Responsibilities
Office Background The United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) helps UN Secretariat entities, including peace operations, departments and offices, succeed by providing rapid, effective, efficient and responsible support services. Its core services include supply chain management, operational human resources management, health-care management, capacity building and training for operations, support for uniformed capabilities, support to entities in special situations, information and communications technology (ICT) support, and UNHQ facility management.
The Office of the Under-Secretary-General of Operational Support provides direct advisory, executive, and management support to DOS leadership and, in particular, to the Under-Secretary-General. This position is located in the Performance and Analytics Section (PAS) of OUSG-DOS. Our work covers DOS strategy and planning, performance, analytics, and innovation.
PAS supports the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of strategic and budget frameworks and undertakes problem-solving and analytics deliverables, for continuous transformation and overall organizational performance of the Department. The internship is unpaid and full-time (under exceptional circumstances, a part-time internship may be accepted). Ideally, 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.
Fully remote internships will not be considered for this internship. Internship Duties The Strategic and Project Support Intern works as a full member of our team, pursues project assignments that are designed to make a significant impact on our work, and have opportunities to learn about the United Nations overall. During the internship, Interns may:
Provide strategic and project support in areas such as data, digital transformation, organizational culture, behavioural science, strategic foresight, and innovation
Support the preparation of slide decks (PowerPoint presentations), background documents and talking points
Support the team in various aspects of knowledge management, including community facilitation, knowledge dissemination, and information management
Support process optimization, metrics development and related efforts
Assist collection, drafting, and sharing of best practices, case studies and lessons through developing surveys, workshops and focus groups
Support stakeholders in analytics efforts, maintaining key data sets, data models, indices and reports
Contribute to research and the practical application of behavioural science to inform strategic planning, communications, and decision-making processes This internship resembles consulting-like work, and draws on conceptualization, PowerPoint, and project management skills. The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months, up to a period of six (6) months, commencing 1 September 2026.
Qualifications/special skills
We are open to a broad range of educational backgrounds. Candidates with a background or strong interest in areas such as data, digital transformation, organizational culture, behavioural science, strategic foresight, innovation, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Have you completed a UN internship before? If yes, please include the UN entity, as well as, assignment dates.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Additional Information
Visa and Work Authorization Mandatory Requirements: For internships in the United States of America, persons who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or on another non-immigrant (such as F1 or J1 visa) status, will be required to obtain a G4 visa. The selected person will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and approved employment authorization (CPT/OPT/AT), allowing them to undertake the internship.
Intern Specific text
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/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.