International and National Internship

Background:

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (OSCE POiD) is an OSCE field operation involved in a wide range of activities, including arms control, counter-terrorism and border management projects, economic development and environmental protection and education, water security policy development, disaster risk reduction, good governance, combating trafficking in human beings, gender equality, human rights, media development and legal reform initiatives.

The Office implements its activities in all three dimensions within the OSCE’s comprehensive and co-operative approach to security. With a special emphasis on the good co-operation and dialogue in Central Asia region, it assists Tajikistan in tackling problems and threats to security and supports conflict prevention and crisis management measures. It also assists in strengthening democratic political institutions, the police service, rule of law and respect for human rights.

The OSCE POiD is looking for qualified candidates to carry out internships for a period from two to six months in both administrative and programmatic areas within one of the following dimensions/departments: politico-military (PMD), economic and environmental (EED), and human (HDD), Office of Head of Mission, as well as within the Border Management Staff College (BMSC).
 

What can the OSCE’s internship programme offer?
•    These interns will gain well-rounded professional experience and mentorship.
•    The chance to learn about the day-to-day working environment of the OSCE POiD 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.
 

Please note that:
•    OSCE internships are both full-time (40 hour week) and part time (20 hour week);
•    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 managers; 
•    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.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

In 2026, the OSCE POiD interns will be assigned to specific departments and projects, with tasks including:

1. Drafting research papers, policy reports, concept papers, and other written materials such as briefing papers, memos, talking points, speeches, documents, newsletters, presentations. Assisting in the collection of information, monitoring and reporting;

2. Assisting in project implementation: implementing activities; scheduling, maintaining records, and organizing meetings, workshops, or events;    

3. Provide translation and interpretation support for meetings and documents, as needed;

4. Conducting thematic research, assisting with the revision of documents (including of legal nature where relevant), assisting with media monitoring, or conducting surveys and/or financial analyses;

5. Supporting communication-related events/outreach activities such as website updates, putting together booklets and leaflets and creating audio-visual and other content for social media;

6. Supporting the organization of events, meetings, training, press conferences, round-tables and other conferences, and supporting with other co-ordination tasks within the assigned department/unit;

7. Attending meetings of the OSCE decision-making and OSCE-related bodies, taking minutes, drafting official records and writing reports;

8. Broad engagement across units/projects, opportunity to engage in a support role, programmatic role, or a participant role;

9. Supporting daily operational work in the units/projects relevant to the interns’ portfolio and background;

10. Assisting senior managers in preparing for trips, bi-lateral meetings and country visits by compiling background documents, dealing with logistic arrangements and communicating with a range of OSCE internal and external stakeholders.

     

     

    For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, please see: OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. 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.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Be at least 19 years of age and no older than 30 years of age on the deadline of the vacancy notice;

• Have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution, or have graduated within two years prior to the deadline of the vacancy notice, in a field relevant to the mandate of the OSCE, such as international relations, political science, law, human rights, economics, finance, environmental studies, security studies, or other related subjects;

• Demonstrate initiative, as well as organizational, research, analytical and drafting skills;

• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills and have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely (interviews will be conducted in English language);

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;

• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;

• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

Desirable:
•    Previous work experience or internships in a relevant field;
•    Experience of working in a multilateral/multicultural environment;
•    Knowledge of Russian and/or knowledge of Tajik language.

Remuneration Package:

Please note that 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). 

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.

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 shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states. Candidates holding nationality of OSCE Partners for Co-operation may be considered for the Generic Internship programme.

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, as well as people with disabilities from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.

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.