Internship – Core Operational Functions

About the Position

Internship – Core Operational Functions

The OSCE – the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – is the world’s largest regional security organization. The OSCE works for stability, peace, and security for more than a billion people, through political dialogue and practical work to build and sustain peace and stability. The OSCE Secretariat is seeking qualified candidates for internship opportunities of 2-6 months in both administrative and programmatic areas within Core Operational Functions.

Responsibilities

Interns will perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Conducting research, collecting and analyzing information, and contributing to the preparation of reports, policy papers, and other written outputs.
• Supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, programs, and organizational initiatives.
• Assisting with the drafting, review, editing, and dissemination of official documents, publications, and communication materials.
• Supporting the organization and delivery of meetings, workshops, conferences, and other stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Participating in meetings and consultations; preparing minutes, summaries, reports, and records of discussions, decisions, findings, and follow-up actions.
• Providing operational, administrative, financial, and program support, including data management, documentation, reporting, and records management.
• Assisting with communication and outreach activities, including website updates, media monitoring, social media content, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting managers and colleagues in the preparation of meetings, missions, visits, and other activities by conducting background research, preparing documentation, coordinating logistics, and liaising with relevant stakeholders.

Requirements

• You should not be older than 30 years on the deadline of this vacancy.
• You should have completed two years of full-time post-secondary education or graduated within two years prior to the deadline of this vacancy.
• You should have education in a relevant field, such as law, communication, human resources, medicine, psychology, organizational behavior, finance, management, information technology, programming, or similar fields.
• You should be professionally fluent in English, both oral and written, and have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• You should bring along high motivation, open-mindedness, and flexibility.
• You should be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national, cultural, and religious backgrounds while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.
• You should be aware of the importance of integrating a gender perspective into tasks and activities.
• You should be able to operate a computer, with familiarity of Microsoft Office applications (Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, word processing, and email).

Nice to Have

• Previous work experience in a relevant field.
• Experience of working in a multilateral/multicultural environment.
• Organizational, multi-tasking, and analytical skills; research; drafting skills.
• Working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is an asset.

We Offer

• The chance to learn about the day-to-day working environment of the OSCE and about the Organization’s mandate.
• The opportunity to develop your professional skills and gain practical working experience in a multi-national environment.
• The chance to meet many professionals and benefit from their knowledge and mentorship.
• The opportunity to meet and link-up with like-minded young professionals.

About the Company

With 57 participating States in North America, Europe, and Asia, the OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organization. The OSCE works for stability, peace, and security for more than a billion people, through political dialogue and practical work to build and sustain peace and stability. The OSCE structures its work into three equally important dimensions: the politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human dimension. Operationally, this concept is translated into 23 fields of work in which the Organization is engaged across its structures and field operations.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: http://www.osce.org/secretariat.

To learn more about the OSCE Fields of work, please see: https://www.osce.org/fields-of-work.

We also recommend you to visit https://jobs.osce.org/internships, where you can find a video created by former interns and recently presented webinar.

Should you have any questions or experience problems applying, please contact [email protected].

Please note that:

• OSCE internships are full-time (40-hour week), but flexible arrangements for part-time internships can be approved in special cases.
• OSCE internships will only be offered to nationals of the OSCE participating States/Partners for Co-operation. Applicants holding dual or multiple nationalities must be nationals of at least one OSCE participating State/Partner for Co-operation.
• Start dates for selected candidates will depend on the needs of the Hiring Offices.
• The cumulative duration of internship at the OSCE is limited to 6 months for any individual. Once this duration of internship has been served, regardless of the OSCE duty station, further applications for internships from the same person shall not be considered.

Remuneration Package:

Please note that, in line with other international and multilateral organizations, the OSCE does not provide remuneration to interns or reimbursement for their travel expenses for relocation to/from the duty station. However, in lieu of remuneration, the receiving office shall contribute towards the cost of living of international and national interns who are non-residents at the duty station (place of assignment). Should the receiving office not be in the position to contribute towards the cost of living, they may accept interns, who are residents at the duty station.

The internship lasts from 2 to 6 months and does not constitute a commitment to future employment with the OSCE. Should the selected intern not have already existing health insurance applicable to the duty station, he/she will participate in the group health insurance scheme at his/her own expense, but the OSCE will cover life and disability insurance. Please note that some nationals may require a D-visa in order to work at the OSCE Secretariat, if selected for the internship, the OSCE will assist you with a support letter.

If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply for this internship opportunity, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. Please mention your availability dates in the cover letter.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States and Partners for Co-operation, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer an internship with modified terms of reference or a different duration.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence, and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC001009
• Contract Type: Intern
• Grade: No grade
• Job Type: Intern
• Number of posts: Multiple
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Additional Locations: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Prague
• Issue Date: Jul 3, 2026
• Closing Date: Dec 31, 2026
• Employee Status: Short-Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Field: Administration & Support