The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is inviting applications for its prestigious Political Participation Internship based in New York, United States. This internship presents an exceptional opportunity for students and recent graduates who are passionate about gender equality, democratic governance, political participation, public policy, research, and international development.

The internship is hosted within UN Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making Section, which plays a critical role in advancing women’s representation and participation in political and public life globally. Successful candidates will contribute to important research, data collection, legislative reviews, and policy-related initiatives that support women’s political empowerment and leadership around the world.

Applications are open until 25 June 2026.

About UN Women

UN Women was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010 to accelerate progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. The organization works to eliminate discrimination against women and girls while promoting equal opportunities and participation in all aspects of society.

One of UN Women’s key strategic priorities is increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making processes. Through research, policy development, advocacy, and data-driven initiatives, the organization supports governments, institutions, and stakeholders in creating more inclusive democratic systems.

About the Political Participation Internship

The Political Participation Internship is designed for individuals interested in understanding how global institutions monitor, analyze, and promote women’s representation in politics and governance.

The selected intern will support UN Women’s efforts to:

Monitor women’s participation in political institutions.
Track progress toward gender equality targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Conduct legislative and policy reviews related to electoral systems and governance.
Analyze data on women’s representation in public office.
Support research and knowledge production on women’s political participation globally.

Interns will work under the supervision of the Policy Specialist on Local Government and contribute to ongoing initiatives focused on:

Women’s representation in local government.
Women’s representation in executive leadership positions.
Electoral information systems and political participation data.
Women’s participation in political processes, including suffrage and voting rights.

Key Responsibilities

Selected interns will be expected to contribute to several important areas of work, including:

1. Legislative Monitoring and Analysis

Interns will:

Monitor legislative developments affecting political participation.
Review government systems and governance structures.
Analyze electoral systems and gender quota frameworks.
Examine local government organizational structures.

2. Data Collection and Compilation

Responsibilities include:

Gathering data related to women’s political participation.
Mapping information produced by Electoral Management Bodies.
Supporting the maintenance and updating of political participation databases.
Assisting with the compilation of global datasets used for SDG monitoring.

3. Research and Literature Reviews

Interns will:

Conduct reviews of academic and policy literature.
Research women’s political participation trends.
Analyze issues related to women’s suffrage and electoral inclusion.
Support evidence-based policy development.

4. Support for Program Activities

Additional duties may include:

Assisting with meetings and consultations.
Supporting knowledge-sharing activities.
Contributing to reports and analytical documents.
Providing administrative and research support for ongoing projects.

What Interns Will Learn

This internship offers significant professional development opportunities.

Participants will gain:

In-depth knowledge of women’s political participation globally.
Understanding of electoral and governance systems.
Experience working with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators.
Exposure to international policy development processes.
Skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Experience producing policy briefs and knowledge products.
Insights into the work of a leading United Nations agency.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have an academic background in areas such as:

Political Science
Social Sciences
Law
Human Rights
International Relations
Gender Studies
Other closely related disciplines

Candidates must meet at least one of the following conditions:

Be enrolled in a graduate degree program.
Be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program.
Have graduated from a university within the last two years.
Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program that requires internship participation.

Required Skills and Competencies

Successful candidates should demonstrate:

Core Values

Integrity
Professionalism
Respect for diversity

Core Competencies

Gender sensitivity and awareness
Accountability
Creative problem-solving abilities
Effective communication
Inclusive collaboration
Stakeholder engagement
Leadership by example

Functional Competencies

Knowledge of gender equality issues.
Understanding of political participation and governance.
Strong research and analytical skills.
Ability to produce high-quality written documents.
Excellent communication abilities.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
Strong interest in inclusive political participation and democratic governance.

Language Requirements

Applicants must possess:

Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Additionally:

Knowledge of another United Nations language is considered an advantage.

Internship Duration

The internship duration ranges from:

2 to 6 months

This allows participants to gain substantial practical experience while contributing meaningfully to UN Women’s mission.

Financial Support

UN Women provides a stipend to interns who are not receiving financial assistance from another institution, such as:

Universities
Scholarship programs
Other sponsoring organizations

The stipend is intended to help partially cover basic living expenses during the internship period.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

A completed and signed P.11 Form
Academic records or proof of enrollment (if requested)
Additional supporting documents as required

Successful candidates may later be asked to provide:

Proof of health insurance coverage
Passport or national identification document
Degree certificate or enrollment verification
Valid visa documentation where applicable

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

UN Women is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. The organization welcomes applications from qualified individuals regardless of:

Race
Religion
Color
Sex
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Age
Disability status
National origin

Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational needs.

Important Deadline

Application Deadline: 25 June 2026

Interested candidates are encouraged to prepare their application materials early and submit them before the closing date.

Why This Internship Stands Out

The UN Women Political Participation Internship offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of gender equality, democratic governance, public policy, and international development. Interns will contribute to globally significant initiatives that help shape evidence-based policies and promote equal participation in political life.

For students and recent graduates seeking experience within the United Nations system, this internship provides valuable exposure to international policymaking, research, data analysis, and gender-responsive governance initiatives.

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