United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is accepting applications for a Programme Management Intern to support the work of the United Nations Youth Office in New York. The six-month internship offers aspiring development professionals an opportunity to contribute to global youth engagement initiatives, policy development, advocacy, and major United Nations events.

Applications are open until July 23, 2026, with the internship designed for students and recent graduates interested in international development, youth participation, and multilateral cooperation.

Supporting Global Youth Engagement at the United Nations

The internship is hosted within the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) under the New York Portfolio Office of UNOPS, which provides project management and operational support to United Nations entities and international development partners.

The successful intern will work closely with the United Nations Youth Office, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to strengthen youth engagement across the UN system.

The Youth Office promotes meaningful youth participation in:

Sustainable development.
Peace and security.
Human rights.
Global policymaking.
United Nations decision-making processes.

Internship Overview

The Programme Management Internship is a six-month, full-time opportunity based in New York, United States.

The role aims to strengthen implementation of the UN Youth Compass, one of the Youth Office’s flagship initiatives promoting meaningful youth participation throughout the United Nations system.

Interns will gain practical experience supporting global programmes, international conferences, advocacy campaigns, and strategic communications while working alongside UN professionals.

Key Responsibilities

The selected intern will contribute to several areas of programme implementation and youth engagement.

Support for Flagship Events and Global Processes

Responsibilities include:

Assisting with preparations for major UN events.
Supporting the High-level Political Forum (HLPF).
Contributing to preparations for the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
Drafting briefing notes, agendas, concept papers, and talking points.
Coordinating documentation and participant materials.
Monitoring outcomes from intergovernmental meetings.
Preparing analytical summaries for internal use.

Supporting the UN Youth Compass

The intern will also assist in advancing the UN Youth Compass initiative by:

Conducting desk research.
Mapping knowledge resources.
Organising online information repositories.
Supporting development of guidance materials on meaningful youth engagement.
Assisting with web-based content and resource pages.

Policy Research and Advocacy

The internship provides exposure to international policy development through responsibilities such as:

Researching global youth policy issues.
Monitoring regional and international processes affecting youth participation.
Preparing policy briefs and background notes.
Supporting advocacy initiatives led by the UN Youth Office.
Contributing to evidence-based policy discussions.

Communications and Outreach

The successful candidate will also support communications activities that amplify youth voices across the UN system.

Key communications responsibilities include:

Drafting website and social media content.
Developing communications materials.
Supporting outreach during major international events.
Monitoring media coverage and digital trends.
Assisting with messaging and campaign development.

The role combines programme support, research, communications, and coordination, providing broad exposure to United Nations operations.

Eligibility Requirements

UNOPS welcomes applications from current students and recent graduates pursuing careers in international development and public policy.

Applicants must:

Be enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programme, or
Have graduated within the past three years before the internship application date.

No prior professional experience is required.

Desired Qualifications

While previous employment is not mandatory, applicants with the following experience will be competitive:

Introductory experience in research or project coordination.
Programme or administrative support experience.
Familiarity with United Nations institutions and mandates.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
Experience or knowledge related to the Middle East region.

The internship offers an excellent entry point for individuals seeking careers within the United Nations system or international development organisations.

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Fluent English (required).

Knowledge of additional UN languages is considered an advantage, including:

Arabic.
French.
Russian.
Spanish.
Mandarin Chinese.

Multilingual candidates may have additional opportunities to support global youth engagement activities.

Skills and Competencies

UNOPS is seeking candidates with strong analytical and organisational abilities.

Desired competencies include:

Analytical thinking.
Information management.
Programme evaluation.
Reporting.
Research skills.
Communication.
Collaboration.
Commitment to sustainable development.

Successful interns will also be expected to uphold UN values of integrity, professionalism, diversity, inclusion, and respect for human rights.

Opportunity to Contribute to Global Youth Leadership

The Programme Management Internship provides a unique opportunity to support one of the United Nations’ newest institutional priorities—meaningful youth participation in global governance.

By contributing to flagship initiatives, international policy processes, advocacy campaigns, and strategic communications, interns will gain valuable experience while helping advance the voices of young people in shaping sustainable development, peace, and human rights worldwide.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs 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.