United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPO) is Seeking Climate, Peace and Security Interns – Apply Before 6 February 2026

The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPO) invites applications for a Climate, Peace and Security Internship based in New York, United States (with Flexible, Hybrid, or Remote options). This six-month internship opportunity is hosted within the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) under the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) and is designed for students or recent graduates seeking practical experience at the intersection of climate action, peace operations, and security policy.

This internship provides exposure to the development of strategic cooperation with UN and external partners while enabling interns to contribute research and analytical skills to support policy development and best practices in peacekeeping.

About the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPO)

The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) within the DPO is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. It evaluates how policies are applied, gathers lessons learned, and uses that information to guide the development and delivery of standardized training. DPET is responsible for maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.

The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of DPET and provides support to the DPO. Its core function is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices, the development of guidance material, and thematic policy support. The Service also leads several reform processes and houses the Partnerships/Climate Peace and Security Team.

Internship Overview

The internship is located in New York (or undertaken remotely) and runs for a duration of six (6) months. The internship is unpaid and may be either full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week). The selected intern will work under the supervision of the Partnerships/Climate Peace and Security Team.

The role is structured to provide hands-on learning in policy tracking, data analysis, and content creation that support high-level climate, peace, and security work, including monitoring developments in the UN Security Council.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will support the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) through a range of technical and analytical tasks, including but not limited to:

• Assisting in data collection, extraction, and management, including qualitative and quantitative data analysis
• Supporting the tracking and review of various policies, papers, and documents related to climate, peace, and security
• Monitoring developments on climate, peace, and security in the UN Security Council and other relevant UN bodies
• Assisting in the preparation of reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, and articles
• Attending and taking notes at conferences and meetings, and assisting in servicing these events
• Supporting the maintenance and management of databases
• Assisting in editing and content creation for learning products
• Supporting the development of strategic communication, presentations, and visualizations
• Proofreading and copyediting team documents, including translation if relevant
• Performing other duties as required to support the team’s objectives

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
• Be enrolled in a graduate (Master’s or higher) or Ph.D. degree programme
• Have graduated with a relevant university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.)

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate the following technical and professional skills:

• Experience in research, drafting reports, and preparing, editing, and/or translating policy documents
• Familiarity with supporting or conducting climate, peace, and security-related work or research (including as part of higher education)
• Proficiency in creating communication products
• Strong analytical and documentation skills
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse environment

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted through the UN Careers Portal and must include a complete Personal History Profile (PHP) and a Motivational Statement.

• The mandatory Motivational Statement must clearly outline:
• Title of the degree currently being pursued
• Expected graduation date (or date of graduation)
• Explanation of why the applicant is the best candidate for this specific internship
• Interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
• Preferred start date for the internship

In the online Personal History Profile, applicants must include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Language and Additional Information

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, health insurance, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global Intern Desk (GID) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.