Vacancy
Policy Officer
We are looking for a highly motivated professional to support our team, primarily in the field of sustainable development, with a particular focus on climate and environment. The position will also involve secondary focus areas, including health, education, food and agriculture, and science, technology and innovation.
Please refer to the job description (PDF, 158.9 KB) for more details on this position.
The approximate start date for the position is 1 July 2025, with a contract duration of one year.
Candidates should send their applications (cv and cover letter) in English to newyorkun.pr@diplobel.fed.be. Candidates are also asked to complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/1eHK5gF5Jg.
The closing date for the submission of applications is 25 May 2025 cob.
Candidates who best meet the criteria for the post will be preselected based on the qualifications and professional experience described in their CV and cover letter.
Preselected candidates will be invited for an interview.
The Belgian Mission to the UN is an equal opportunities employer.
Internships
The Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations in New York provides a select number of internships for talented students. Interns become integral members of our mission's team, enjoying a unique chance to accumulate experience in diplomacy and international relations in a dynamic multilateral setting.
Internship Period
The internship usually lasts for three months:
- Q1: January-March;
- Q2: April-June;
- Q3: July-September (Including the High Level Week of the General Assembly);
- Q4: October-December (Session of the 6 Committees of the General Assembly).
Please specify in your cover letter for which period (Q1, Q2, Q3 or Q4) you are applying. Make sure to apply at least 3 months ahead of the internship, to allow time for the selection process and the administrative process.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible for our internship program, aspiring candidates should meet the following criteria:
- A strong interest in international relations and a thorough understanding of the UN system.
- Demonstrated analytical capabilities.
- Exceptional writing skills.
- Effective communication skills (social media management is a plus).
- Proficiency at least in English and French or Dutch. Proficiency in the other national languages of Belgium, as well as other languages, is considered a bonus.
Interns must be affiliated with an educational institution as a student for the entire term of the internship. To meet this requirement, two options are possible:
- the internship is part of the educational curriculum and is thus linked to obtaining a certain number of credits or ECTS credits;
- the internship falls outside the educational curriculum but carries the approval of the educational institution which delivers a certificate of approval.
An internship application that does not meet the above conditions will not be evaluated by the mission.
Duties of Interns
Interns can look forward to engaging in a wide range of responsibilities during their internship, including:
- Participation in UN meetings, monitoring the proceedings of key UN bodies such as the General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the Security Council.
- Conducting in-depth research on various topics, ranging from sustainable development goals to international law and peace and security.
- Providing invaluable support to our diplomats by helping them to prepare their files. This includes tasks like assisting with UN resolutions, taking notes, and drafting comprehensive reports to our headquarters in Brussels.
- Collaborating on the coordination and execution of essential events, seminars, and meetings, among other duties.
Our internship program offers a rich and multifaceted learning experience that contributes significantly to the professional growth of students in this field.
Practical Information
The internship is unpaid. Interns cannot claim reimbursement for travel, housing, insurance or any other expenses. All such expenses are the sole responsibility and at the expense of the intern(s).
The interns are required to have an insurance coverage for the entire duration of the internship.
This insurance must include comprehensive health insurance “Obamacare” (see below), urgent care and repatriation to Belgium or a third country, commercial liability, workers compensation, including but not limited to the following local minimum coverage requirements (PDF, 90 KB)
If the insurance coverage is from the educational institution, the intern must check that the insurance covers all the minimum insurance requirements.
If not, the intern will need to take out additional insurance. The Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations cannot recommend any insurance company but suggest that you contact an insurance broker whose expertise will be able to guide you.
Please note that having adequate insurance is a prerequisite to participating in our internship program.
Application Process
Candidates interested in an internship should submit an internship application via the eStage platform with the following documents (multiple scanned documents can be grouped into one PDF file):
- a curriculum vitae
- a cover letter indicating the preferred internship period (Q1, Q2, Q3 or Q4)
- a letter of recommendation signed by a university professor
- proof of enrollment in the educational institution
- proof that the internship is part of the educational curriculum (ECTS) or the approval of the educational institution if it concerns an internship outside the curriculum
- proof of insurance coverage as detailed above in "Practical Instructions" - after you have been selected.
Candidates may send their questions to newyorkun@diplobel.fed.be.
Pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview at least three months prior to the start of the internship period.