Compulsory traineeship for students at the EU Delegation to United Nations – New York

The deadline for submitting applications is 23/03/2026 at 12 noon New York time

Are you a university student interested in international relations?  Is a working experience part of your course?  Are you curious to learn more about work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU Delegation represents EU interests and values in New York?

We offer:

Traineeships up to 3 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation. The tentative start date is April – May2026.

Under the supervision and mentoring of a Trainees’ supervisers, these compulsory traineeships will provide a solid and meaningful learning content, notably by the prior identification of the specific skills to be acquired in relation with the studies of the candidates.

• Section 1: Humanitarian Affairs Section:

The Humanitarian Section: 

• 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.

   

• Section 2: Legal and Institutional Affairs, Counterterrorism and Sanctions: 

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

• Section 3: Coordination, Press and Information Section:

The section ensures policy coordination across thematic issues (including contacts with the UN Secretariat, EU Headquarters, and partners; for the Delegation’s briefings and reports), 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 UN80 Reform process and the Revitalization of the GA, and notably the coordination of the EU presence during High-Level Week in September), organizes EU events, and conducts all press, information and public diplomacy activities of the EU at the UN

Main tasks for all sections: 

• Supporting the work of the section by observing and assisting in the coordination of EU Member States’ positions in the context of negotiations of resolutions and preparation of EU statements.
• Assisting the team in background research, note-taking, and preparation of briefing materials, as well as providing logistical support for meetings and outreach activities related to EU positions.
• Observing and taking notes at meetings organized at the United Nations, the EU Delegation, EU Member States, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders, when appropriate.
• Accompany the Official to external events and briefings relevant to the work of the section, in order to gain familiarity with the UN policy environment.
• Any other task, which may be beneficiary 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.

We look for:

Qualifications or special requirements:

• 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.

Criteria for the Unpaid compulsory traineeship for students already residing and studying in the host country:

• citizens of the host country (USA), nationals from the EU Member States or States which have signed an accession agreement with the EU, already residing in the host country and in possession of a valid visa (F1-J1-G3) or green card holder/US passport
• students enrolled in the 3rd,4th or 5th University year
• undertaking a compulsory traineeship within the framework of their studies
• no professional experience
• no previous experience of more than six weeks in the EU Institutions
• Full time internship needs to be at least 2 months, part time internship needs to be at least 3 months

How to apply?

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
• a University letter requesting a compulsory traineeship
• and an application form (downloadable form)

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

Important information to read before applying

Before applying you are requested to examine the dedicated website as well as the general eligibility criteria for a compulsory traineeships (Article 9 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 - Unpaid compulsory traineeships for students already residing and studying in the host country).

All costs related to travel inside the country of residence, visa, insurance, accommodation and living expenses must be borne by either the trainee or the University.

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.

EU candidates who are already residing in the country of assignment must provide proof that they will be covered against the risk of a pandemic and the costs of repatriation.

The traineeship can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation. In assessing the applications received, account will need to be taken of the current local security and sanitary situation and its effects on traineeship possibilities.