EEAS Vacancy: Funded traineeships for young graduates at the EU Delegation to The United Nations in New York - Multiple sections

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

We offer:

Traineeships of from 3 to 6 months within the following sections of the EU Delegation to the United Nations, starting in September 2026

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:

which 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. In addition, you might be asked to assist the Delegation's work, in support of the Section responsible for International Partnerships and Sustainable Development, towards the achievement of Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals within the UN General Assembly and specifically its 2nd Committee, and the UN Economic and Social Council.

Section 3 - Human Rights and Social Affairs

The section is responsible for issues relating to human rights, social affairs, and humanitarian issues, which is mainly dealt with in the Third Committee (3C) of the UN General Assembly. This includes events, discussions and negotiations on UN resolutions on a wide range of issues, such as on women’s rights and gender equality, protection of children, persons with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced persons, on issues related to the death penalty, crime prevention, criminal justice, international drug control as well as on the human rights and humanitarian situation in some countries. During the 81st session of the General Assembly, the EU delegation is the penholder of several resolutions and coordinates EU Member positions in negotiations on over 50 resolutions as well as joint statements in debates and interactive dialogues with UN officials and human rights mandate holders, in line with EU policies and priorities. Please indicate specific interest in human rights and/or humanitarian affairs.   

Section 4 - UN Horizontal Issues, UN Budgets, Management and Reform

In the context of the ongoing UN80 Initiative and the heightening Organization's financial crisis, the Fifth Committee (5C) 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 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 and its Member States are collectively the largest financial contributor to the UN System 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, the UN common system, information and communications technology strategy, and more.  

Section 5 – Legal and Institutional Affairs, Counter-terrorism and Sanctions:

The Legal affairs section follows developments on: 

- UN legal affairs, including in particular the work of the UNGA 6th (legal) Committee, the Special Committee on the UN Charter, as well as legislative processes (such as the elaboration of legally binding instruments on, respectively, Crimes against Humanity and Protection of persons in the event of disasters); 

- Law of the Sea (Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, Law of the Sea Omnibus Resolution, Fisheries Resolution, Sea level rise);

- International courts and tribunals (e.g. International Criminal Court, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, IRMCT) and accountability issues;

- UN counter-terrorism activities;

- UN sanctions, in particular horizontal aspects such as due process rights (Ombudsperson, Focal Points etc.). 

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

Main tasks for all sections: 

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:

Visa requirements:
The application for an entrance visa or a work permit must be arranged by the trainee in accordance to 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.

How to apply?

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

and 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).

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 paid traineeship (Article 8 of the Decision ADMIN(2017)28 – Paid traineeship).

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.

The traineeships can only be offered in compliance with the local legislation as well as the legislation of the country of origin. 

Citizens from EU Member states:

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.