Programme Management Intern, New York, United States

General Information

Position Title: Programme Management Intern

Job Category: Programme

Duty Station(s): New York

Seniority Level: Entry Level

ICS Level: Internship

Contract Type: Internship

Contract Level: Internship

Posting Start Date: 02-Jul-2026

Posting End Date: 23-Jul-2026

Duration: 6 months

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Job Highlight

To contribute effectively to the delivery of meaningful youthengagement and participation including the UN Youth Compass and toadvance the work of other flagships and strategic initiatives atthe United Nations Youth Office.

About the Region

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UN Careers Information

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providingservices that increase the efficiency, effectiveness andsustainability of peace building, humanitarian and developmentprojects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations,UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement andinfrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors andUnited Nations organizations.

New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United NationsSecretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nationsorganizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the deliveryof UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management,and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partnerswith their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.It was formed by combining the following portfolios: GrantsManagement Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS),Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It providesServices to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, andmanaged with a global perspective and primarily serving partnersthat are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint ofapproximately 125 countries.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UNpartners and Member States. This portfolio offers support forvarious initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General inpursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing globalprograms in areas such as political affairs, climate,counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

Job Specific Context

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations toimplement the activities for the United Nations Youth Office.

On 8 September 2022, the General Assembly unanimously adoptedresolution 76/306 to establish a United Nations Youth Office as adedicated entity for youth affairs within the UN Secretariat. TheUN Youth Office leads engagement and advocacy for the advancementof youth issues across the United Nations, in the areas of peaceand security, sustainable development and human rights.

Role Purpose

Under UNOPS supervision and working in close collaboration withthe UN Youth Office teams, the Youth Engagement Interns willprovide support to several youth engagement portfolios for the UNYouth Office including flagship events and intergovernmentalprocesses, implementation of the UN Youth Compass, advocacy, policyand communication support.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The internship position is situated within the Development andSpecial Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) of the New York PortfoliosOffice (NYPO). The intern will provide the following functions:

Support to flagship events and intergovernmental processes

• Assist in substantive and logistical preparation for majoryouth-related UN and intergovernmental moments, including theHigh-level Political Forum (HLPF), UN General Assembly high-levelweek, and other key global policy fora.
• Support the development of background notes, briefing packages,talking points, and concept notes related to youth engagement forthese processes.
• Conduct desk research to inform youth-related inputs intointergovernmental discussions, thematic debates, and high-levelevents.
• Assist in the preparation of event documentation, includingdraft agendas, speaker and participant lists, run-of-show notes,and post-event summaries.
• Support coordination tasks related to youth participation inevents and consultations, including tracking inputs, compilingmaterials, and organizing documentation.
• Help monitor outcomes of relevant intergovernmental meetingsand prepare short analytical summaries highlighting implicationsfor youth engagement and participation.
• Contribute to internal planning and preparation meetingsrelated to major events.

Support implementation of the UN Youth Compass

• Assist in desk research and knowledge mapping to support theimplementation and further development of the UN Youth Compass as aflagship initiative on meaningful youth engagement across the UNsystem.
• Contribute to organizing and structuring online knowledgeresources related to the Youth Compass (e.g., supportingdevelopment of web-based content, resource pages, or toolrepositories).
• Support drafting short explanatory or guidance materialsrelated to meaningful youth engagement approaches.

Advocacy and policy support

• Assist in the preparation of background notes, briefingmaterials, and talking points related to youth engagement andadvocacy priorities of the UN Youth Office.
• Support tracking of relevant global, regional, andintergovernmental processes related to youth, participation, andcivic engagement.
• Conduct basic policy research and synthesize information intoconcise written formats.

Communications support

• Support development of clear, compelling communicationsproducts (briefs, talking points, web and social content) thatadvance narratives on meaningful youth participation and UN systempriorities.
• Assist with outreach around high-visibility moments and events,including drafting messaging, coordinating content, and amplifyingyouth voices across platforms.
• Monitor media, digital trends, and youth discourse to informcommunications planning and ensure messages remain relevant,inclusive, and evidence based.
• Performs other duties as may be reasonably required and in linewith the incumbent's scope of services above.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Counterterrorism, Information Management,Program Evaluation, Reporting

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively todifferences and encourages others to do the same. Upholdsorganisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards oftrustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit.Collaborates and supports the development of others. For peoplemanagers only: Acts as positive leadership role model,motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizingappropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on allpartners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds andmaintains strong external relationships and is a competent partnerfor others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for selfand/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total taskaccomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Seesopportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understandsthat responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on ourbeneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment.Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances orrequirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior.Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursuescontinuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmaticdecisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculatedrisks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner.Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needsof others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge.Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinionand finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

• The applicant should be enrolled in a university programme suchas Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduatedfrom such studies within three (3) years prior to the applicationdate of the internship.

Experience Requirements

Desired:

• While no prior work experience is required, introductoryexperience in project research, coordination, management, supportor administration is desired.
• Familiarity with the work of the United Nations Organization,its mandate and main areas of focus, is an asset.
• Computer literacy with strong knowledge of Microsoft OfficeSuite and/ or Google Suite is an asset.
• Experience in the Middle East region is highly desirable andwill be considered a strong advantage.

Language Requirements

Language: English

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Required

Language: Arabic

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Desirable

Language: French

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Desirable

Language: Russian

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Desirable

Language: Spanish

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Desirable

Language: Chinese, Mandarin

• Proficiency Level: Fluent
• Requirement: Desirable

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process requestcandidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnightCopenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.Applications received after the closing date will not beconsidered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited toproceed to the next stage of the selection process, which mayinclude various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employmentopportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range ofnationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities,sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain andstrengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive workingenvironment where all personnel are treated with respect and haveequal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills,qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement.We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process andwelcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenousand racialized communities, individuals of diverse genderidentities and sexual orientations, and persons withdisabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at theirbest during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted andrequire support or reasonable accommodation to complete anyassessment, please inform our human resources team upon receivingyour invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse(SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct,including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. Touphold these standards, background checks are conducted for allfinal candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history ofsuch conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS,candidates acknowledge and consent to these verificationprocesses.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint acandidate at a lower level than the advertised level of thepost.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatorycourses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time,before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatorycourses may be required during your contract. Please note that youwill not receive any compensation for taking courses andrefreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please clickhere.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their dutiesin accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies andInstructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks.In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UNcore values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on allpotential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on theresults of such checks.