Duties
This vacancy announcement will be open from May 12, 2026 to May 18, 2026 or when 50 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
IO/STA manages U.S. policy across more than 40 specialized and technical UN and other international organizations and standards-setting bodies. This includes coordination on multilateral telecommunications and cyber policy; sea and air transportation; intellectual property; weather and climate science; nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation; outer space; drugs and crime; metrology; and food security. A student volunteer will provide valuable research for use by foreign affairs professionals working to develop and implement U.S. policy related to these bodies. Specific projects include:
• Research on how policy proposals on AI and cyber issues appear across the UN and international organizations system;
• Research on how Operation Epic Fury appears in specialized and technical agencies by way proposed resolutions by Iran, GCC countries, and other governments, and the results of those proposals;
• Research on trends in the UN internal justice system (ex: cases and findings before the International Labor Organization Administrative Tribunal);
• Research to map the use of cloud infrastructure and computational resources in STAs (i.e. opportunities to increase U.S. influence and private sector engagement in these organizations).
Requirements
Conditions of employment
Conditions of employment
To participate in this Program, you must:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. Students studying abroad are ineligible for application. All remote work must be completed domestic within the United States.
Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Commit to volunteering 8 – 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Federal agency and your academic institution.
Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 scale.
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs.
Specifically, applicants should have:
- Strong research and analytical skills, particularly in international affairs
- Strong written communication skills, including drafting concise research summaries, policy memos, and briefing materials
- Proficiency with qualitative research methods and open-source information gathering
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
Prefer students to have two years (or equivalent) coursework in data or social sciences, including political science, economics, international relations, and/or history.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 scale.
Students studying abroad are ineligible for application. All remote work must be completed domestic within the United States.
Additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
Professional experience: Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision and federal mentorship.
Skill Development: Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
Career Exploration: Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated by Department of State personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the project manager for review.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
- Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
- Proof of enrollment shows that you are enrolled in a school or training.
- Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
- See the job announcement for what you should include in the supplemental application.
- Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
• Your work experience to include start and end dates.
• Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
• Any knowledge, skills or abilities you've gained through education that relate to the project.
2. Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.