Funded traineeships for young graduates at the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York

Are you a young graduate interested in international relations? Are you curious to learn more about the work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in the United Nations in New York?

We Offer

Traineeships of from 3 to 6 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York, starting in September 2025:

• Section 1 - Political Affairs and Security Council:
  
  

Dealing with these subjects including the activities of the United Nations relating to international peace and security, including peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and non-proliferation/disarmament issues, in particular at the Security Council and General Assembly, and coordinates as appropriate the position of the EU and its Member States in these fora.

• Section 2 - Coordination, Press and Information:
  
  

This section ensures policy coordination across thematic sections (including contacts with the UN Secretariat, EU Headquarters, briefings and reports, etc.), organises the EU Ambassadors meetings and diplomatic outreach with the wider UN membership, coordinates EU positions and negotiates processes at the General Assembly plenary (including on the "Pact for the Future" and the UN80 Reform initiative, as well as the Revitalization of the GA), and conducts all press, information and public diplomacy activities of the EU at the UN.

• Section 3 – International Partnerships and Sustainable Development:
  
  

This section works on the achievement of Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals. It covers issues structured in four clusters: (i) social, (ii) economic, (iii) green and blue and (iv) digital and infrastructure. These issues – and their geopolitical context - are discussed within the UN General Assembly and specifically its 2nd Committee and the UN Economic and Social Council. In 2025, this Section will coordinate several processes such as the International Conference on Financing for Development, the UN Ocean Conference, the World Summit on the Information Society and the World Social Summit – in addition to the annual Commission on Population and Development and High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Specific interest/qualification in one or more of the four clusters will be greatly appreciated.

• Section 4 - Human Rights and Social Affairs:
  
  

The team is responsible for issues relating to human rights and social affairs, which is dealt with in the Third Committee (3C) of the UN General Assembly. This includes discussions and negotiations on a wide range of issues relating to civil, political, economic, social and cultural gender rights, including gender equality and advancement of women, protection of children, indigenous issues, racism and racial discrimination, persons with disabilities, death penalty, torture, crime prevention, criminal justice, international drug control as well as some country situations. During the intense 3C session that takes place during 8 weeks in the fall, the EU delegation is the penholder of three four resolutions and coordinates EU Member States joint statements in debates and interactive dialogues as well as EU positions in negotiations on around 60 resolutions adopted by the Committee, in line with EU’s strong policies and commitment to protect, promote and fulfil human rights.

• Section 5 - UN Horizontal Issues, UN Budgets, Management and Reform:
  
  

In the context of the UN80 initiative and the Organization's financial crisis, the Fifth Committee is a key decision-making body of the General Assembly where resources meet mandates—the engine room that keeps the entire UN operational. The Fifth Committee (5C) handles administrative and budgetary matters, effectively determining how the Organization translates its mandates into tangible outcomes. Without adequate resource allocation, even the most aspirational UN initiatives may face implementation challenges.

The EU Member States are collectively the largest financial contributor to the UN and play a key role in ensuring that all mandates receive the necessary funds to be fully implemented, especially in this financially significant period. This provides an opportunity to observe how the EU coordinates positions among the 27 Member States and speaks with one voice in negotiations that affect global challenges. In addition, it offers a unique vantage point to observe and contribute to intergovernmental negotiations and engage with UN officials across all departments.

Topics this year will probably include: the UN regular budget negotiations, funding for special political missions and peacekeeping operations, topics of oversight bodies, negotiations on the financial framework of the UN as well as standards of accommodations of air travel.

• Section 6 – Legal and Institutional Affairs, Counter-terrorism and Sanctions:
  
  

Dealing with these subjects, discussed within the 6th Committee of the UN General assembly. The Legal Section follows developments on:

• UN legal affairs, in particular the work of the UNGA 6th Committee, as well as Law of the Sea, international courts and tribunals
• Accountability issues (state responsibility for internationally wrongful acts, individual criminal responsibility, investigation mechanisms etc.)
• UN sanctions, in particular the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and their implementation in the EU legal system
• UN counter-terrorism activities
  
  

The Legal Section also provides legal advice to the Delegation on all EU and UN legal and institutional matters.

• Section 7 – Humanitarian Affairs:
  
  

Represents the EU in international dialogues on humanitarian issues, including on the normative frameworks for humanitarian action (UNGA and ECOSOC); attends operational and donor briefings and reports on their contents, and expresses on these occasions EU priorities, concerns and views on the operational activities and policies of the humanitarian organisations; engages in humanitarian advocacy and diplomacy vis-a-vis UN bodies and UN Member States; maintains contacts with representatives of the EU’s key humanitarian partners at the UN Secretariat (OCHA), international organisations (ICRC, IFRC) and other relevant actors in New York; follows discussions on thematic issues and relevant country situations in the different UN bodies, including at the Security Council.

• Supporting the work of the section, in particular by working on the coordination of the EU Member States’ positions for the negotiation of resolutions and the finalisation of EU statements;
• Supporting the team in drafting reports, organizing meetings, preparing the local outreach in support of the EU positions;
• Attending meetings organized at the United Nations, the EU Delegation, EU Member States, NGOs, etc.
• Attending external events;
• Any other task, which may be beneficial to the trainee with the aim to better understand the dynamics of the EU Delegation in the UN policy context, to raise awareness of the main policy and legal challenges in the UN context and to gain first-hand insight into decision making and negotiations processes.
  
  

• Excellent drafting skills in English; knowledge of French will be an asset.
• Knowledge of the workings of the European Union and of the United Nations would also be an advantage.
• Visa requirements:
• The application for an entrance visa or a work permit must be arranged by the trainee in accordance with the local legislation. The Delegation will provide a letter to request a G3 visa at the US consulate of his/her country of residence. Visas must be valid for the entire duration of the traineeship.
  
  

Candidates must apply to the e-mail address delegation-new-york-intern@eeas.europa.eu and send the following documents:

• A detailed standard Europass curriculum vitae (CV) https://europa.eu/europass/en (CVs in other format will not be considered)
• A cover letter describing why you want to participate in a EU traineeship
• An application form
  
  

Please mention in the subject of your e-mail: Funded Traineeship - Name of the Section (you may only apply to 1 traineeship per delegation, however based on your profile, the delegation could offer you a traineeship in another section).

Before applying you are requested to examine the dedicated website as well as the general eligibility criteria for a paid traineeship (Article 8 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 – Paid traineeship).

Each selected trainee will receive a monthly grant to cover living expenses. All costs related to travels, visa, insurance, accommodation must be borne by the trainee.

Applications from non-eligible candidates will not be considered. After the evaluation of all applications, shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email. In case the selected candidates are not able to present the required documents, their application will be rejected.

• Must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation;
• Must hold a relevant entrance visa and/or temporary residence permit where applicable, based on the traineeship agreement, the duration of the traineeship, and in compliance with the local legislation.