Programme Intern

About UN University (UNU) The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. About Office/Institute United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions. IVE Programme The Innovation and Education (IVE) Programme aims to promote research and practices on innovative and inclusive education and lifelong learning for sustainable development at all ages. About the project The project provides support to the newly established UN HESI Action Group, “Futures of Higher Education and AI.” The Action Group seeks to advance a shared knowledge base on the role of AI in accelerating progress toward sustainable development. Its work will focus on four core domains: (i) AI in research and development; (ii) AI in teaching and learning; (iii) AI in university management and administration; and (iv) AI ethics, safety, and inclusivity. This is a full-time internship (35 hours per week), primarily based on site at UNU-IAS in Tokyo. Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Academic Programme Officer of the Innovation and Education Programme, the Intern shall provide overall assistance to the project, with particular focus on coordination, communication, knowledge product development, and reporting, including the following: 1. Support the inter-network taskforce for three major networks of higher education: Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network (ProSPER.Net), and SDG-University Platform (SDG-UP) - Support the coordination of activities, including scheduling and attending regular meetings, recording meeting minutes and following up on the discussed matters, and facilitating and monitoring internal communication - Assist in the organization of various events (such as webinars, workshops and conferences), including preparation of materials, participant coordination, and drafting the activity reports. 2. Support the production of knowledge products from the project - Contribute to the production of podcast episodes and webinars on the topics of AI, sustainability and higher education, including identifying/communicating with speakers, promoting, recording, editing and disseminating - Support to ensure the participation of the three networks in the development of the project’s knowledge products. 3. Support reporting and project documentation - Assist in drafting the project reports capturing key activities, outputs, and achievements; - Archive and maintain the project records and documentation in a well-organized filing system 4. Performing other duties assigned by the supervisor. Qualifications 1) Education and certification - University studies in one of the following disciplines: artificial intelligence, information technology, education, sustainable development, and international development, or a related field. - Be in their final year of undergraduate study or enrolled in a graduate degree programme or is within the two-year post-graduation (maximum) from either a bachelors’, masters’ or PhD degree programme. 2) Desired Skills and Experience: - Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize information clearly and accurately for different audiences. - Organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to support in-person and online meetings, events, communication processes, and multi-stakeholder engagement in an international setting. - Experience in drafting communication materials such as newsletters, event summaries, social media content, and other outreach documents. - Familiarity with digital tools for design and content-creation tools such as Canva, Adobe Suite tools, or similar platforms. 3) Language - Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required; - Working knowledge of another UN language, including Japanese, is an advantage. Duration 15 September 2026 – 15 March 2027 (tentative). Stipend Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UNU to partially subsidize their basic living costs for the duration of the internship.