Programme Guidelines
Application Procedure
The number and nature of internships at the Mechanism is determined according to its needs and possibilities. As a consequence, the selection and recruitment procedure takes place on an ongoing basis.
Duration
Internships will generally range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months.
Timeline for Application
You are advised to submit your application approximately six months prior to your proposed starting date.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be proficient in English, both written and oral. Fluency in oral and written French or knowledge of other languages – particularly Kinyarwanda (if applying to the Arusha branch), or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (if applying to the Hague branch) – is an asset.
You must also have:
- Sufficient financial means for living expenses and repatriation;
- Health insurance, including coverage of costs of hospitalisation for at least the duration of your internship plus one month; and
- Travel and third-party liability insurance.
You must be 18 years or over. There is no age restriction for applicants, however you should meet one of the following requirements:
- EITHER be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); OR
- be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); OR
- have graduated with a university degree and are in the early stages of your career. If selected, you must provide proof of your completed degree;
How to Apply
Applications are processed through Inspira, the United Nations’ career management portal. Be sure to follow the instructions in each vacancy notice very carefully. Before sending it to us, be sure you have completed every section in the application in Inspira. Applications that do not contain all elements will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. A guide to completing applications in Inspira can be found here [PDF].
You may also be required to provide:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation;
- Copies of your university transcripts (including courses taken and grades received); and
- A sample of your written work, preferably in a field relevant to the work of the Mechanism, and no longer than ten (10) pages.
- Preference & Availability form
- Intern Acceptance and Undertaking
Each vacancy notice may have its own requirements so please read it carefully to ensure you are providing the correct documents.
If you are applying to several sections of the Mechanism, please make sure to indicate this in your application and clearly state your preference. Also please indicate your preferred internship period at the beginning of your cover letter.
All applications must be submitted through the United Nations Inspira portal. The Mechanism is not able to accept applications via e-mail.