AI & Data for peace and security - Intern

Work LocationIn-person at New York, USA or all remote Expected duration4-6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe duration of the internship is for four (4) months with a possibility of extension to six (6) months. This internship is UNPAID in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from (New York, USA). This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote. This internship is located in the Information Management Unit in the in the Department of Peace Operations at United Nations Headquarters in New York. 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. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions. Information Management Unit oversees the information management systems, policies, and processes for the DPPA-DPO, supporting analysis, solutions development and advisory services. Under the overall supervision of the Chief Information Management Officer, the incumbent reports directly to the Information Management Officer overseeing the Peace and Security Data Hub. Our interns work as members of the Peace and Security Data Hub team in the IMU, pursuing projects that are designed to make a significant difference in the whole department, and have opportunities to learn about the United Nations overall. We are looking to fill two distinct intern profiles: We encourage applicants with experience in Political, Human Rights, or Humanitarian Affairs who have significant technical skills in the area of Data Management, Data Analysis, Product Design, Product Management or Artificial Intelligence. These interns will focus on contributing to strategic initiatives, helping to shape the data ecosystem that supports peace and security operations. A demonstrated passion for evidence and a hypothesis-driven approach to decision-making is highly valued in this role. We also encourage applicant with high technical proficiency in areas like scripting, data automation, statistics, deployment of large language models, software development. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work. experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Desired qualifications include; • Actively seeks to apply emerging technology across tasks • Keeps abreast of available technology • Understands applicability and opportunities of technology for the organization • Experience or interest in self-service analytical tools like MS Power BI, Tableau, is an asset • Experience or interest in citizens development solutions such as MS Power Apps is an asset • Experience or interest in relational databases such as SQL Server is an asset • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate-level program in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field. • Demonstrated experience with Generative AI tools (e.g., OpenAI, Copilot). • Familiarity with LLM development, prompt engineering, and open-source AI libraries. • Experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio or Power Platform is highly desirable. • Understanding of responsible AI use, data privacy, and information security principles. • Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural, interdisciplinary environment. 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. 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.