Climate, Peace & Security Intern

Climate, Peace & Security Intern (Remote/Hybrid – New York, USA)

Are you a passionate student ready to make a global impact? The UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is actively seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Climate, Peace, and Security Intern to join our team in New York. This Climate, Peace, and Security internship offers an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to vital strategic communications efforts, specifically focusing on the critical nexus of climate change and international peace and security.

This unpaid internship, with a flexible duration of six months, offers hands-on experience within a leading international organization. Consequently, you’ll gain invaluable insight into how the United Nations addresses complex global challenges, while working closely with the Partnerships/Climate Peace and Security Team in DPO’s Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS).

The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is central to peacekeeping operations; it develops and disseminates policy, evaluates its application, gathers lessons learned, and guides standardized training. Furthermore, PBPS specifically aims to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions through best practices, guidance, and thematic policy support. Ultimately, as a Climate, Peace, and Security Intern, you’ll play a direct role in supporting these crucial functions, focusing on the intersection of climate and security.

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What You’ll Do: Key Responsibilities of a Climate Security Intern

As a Climate, Peace & Security Intern, your responsibilities will be diverse and impactful. For instance, these include, but are not limited to:

• Data & Information Management: You’ll assist with collecting, extracting, analyzing (qualitative and quantitative), and managing information related to climate, peace, and security.

• Policy & Document Review: Moreover, you’ll support the tracking and review of various policies, papers, and materials relevant to climate-security issues.

• Monitoring & Analysis: Additionally, you’ll monitor developments on climate, peace, and security within the UN Security Council and other pertinent UN bodies. This climate security intern role offers unique insights.

• Content Creation: Furthermore, you’ll help prepare reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles, and other materials for the team.

• Meeting Support: Likewise, you’ll attend conferences and meetings, taking detailed notes to capture key discussions and outcomes.

• Database Management: Beyond that, you’ll assist in maintaining and managing relevant databases.

• Learning Product Support: You’ll also contribute to editing and content creation for educational resources.

• Strategic Communications: In addition, you’ll assist in developing strategic communications, presentations, and data visualizations relevant to environmental policy and peace.

• Proofreading & Editing: Lastly, you’ll proofread and copyedit team documents, including translations if applicable.

• General Support: Finally, you’ll perform other duties as required to support the team’s objectives in the realm of peace operations.

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Desired Qualifications & Skills for a Peace Operations Internship

To be eligible for this peace operations internship, applicants must meet one of the following academic requirements:

• Currently enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).

• Alternatively, you could be currently enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

While professional work experience is not a prerequisite for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship, such as environmental studies, international relations, political science, security studies, or sustainable development, is essential. This aligns with the scope of a climate security internship.

Desired experience includes:

• You should have experience in research, drafting reports, and preparing, editing, and/or translating policy documents and communication products.

• Furthermore, familiarity with supporting or conducting climate, peace, and security-related work or research (including academic projects) is a plus. This experience enhances your suitability for a Climate, Peace, and Security Intern position.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is a significant advantage.

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Important Information

• Please note, this internship is unpaid. Consequently, interns are responsible for all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses.

• The UN Secretariat commits to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity. Therefore, we strongly encourage female candidates to apply.

• Applicants who have previously served a total of six months as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems are not eligible.

• Likewise, 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 are also not eligible.

 

How to Apply for this UN Internship

A complete online application is required. In your Motivational Statement, please clearly indicate:

• When you would like to start your internship (start and end dates are flexible).

• The title of the degree you are currently pursuing.

• Your graduation date (or when you have graduated).

• Why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.

• Your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

In your online Personal History Profile, please ensure you include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

The 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.

Apply here: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1752006217736

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FAQs

Q1: Is this a paid internship?

No, this is an unpaid internship. However, Forest Trends will work with your school or university to help you obtain academic credit if you are eligible.

Q2: What is the expected duration and work schedule for this Climate, Peace, and Security Intern role?

The internship duration is six months. You can choose to work full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week).

Q3: What are the location options for this UN Climate Security Internship?

This position offers flexibility. You can work remotely (outside the duty station), or opt for a hybrid working arrangement with time at the UN Premise in New York, United States.

Q4: What academic qualifications are required for this environmental policy internship?

You must be currently enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (Bachelor’s or equivalent) or be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (Master’s, Ph.D., or equivalent).

Q5: What kind of work will I be doing as a Climate Security Intern?

You will support the Department of Peace Operations on the intersection of climate, peace, and security. This includes data analysis, policy review, monitoring UN Security Council developments, preparing reports and communications materials, attending meetings, and assisting with strategic communications and content creation.

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