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Here are the opportunities to join UNPO’s mission and contribute to the rights of unrepresented nations and peoples. By joining our team, you’ll gain hands-on experience in international affairs, human rights, and policy development while working alongside experts dedicated to justice and self-determination. Explore how you can be part of our efforts to create lasting change.

Staff Positions

Like many organizations in our sector, UNPO is feeling the impact of global funding cuts, which means we are not able to grow our core staff team right now. Still, we are committed to opening doors and building pathways for people who want to grow with us. Most of our staff opportunities are filled by individuals who first joined UNPO as interns—starting with a six-month unpaid internship, followed by a one-year paid internship, which serves as a way to learn, contribute, and gradually step into larger responsibilities. 

Whenever possible, we give preference to candidates from unrepresented communities, whether they are part of our membership or not, as we believe those perspectives are vital to our work. From time to time, for specific projects, we also team up with specialized consultants who bring in extra expertise.

Internships

Geopolitical and Research Assistant

As a Geopolitical Analyst Intern, you will work closely with our research and policy teams to contribute to geopolitical analysis, research, and communications efforts on behalf of unrepresented peoples and nations. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international relations, geopolitical strategy, and human rights advocacy, while contributing to impactful projects.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct geopolitical research on issues affecting unrepresented and indigenous peoples, including international relations, human rights, and regional conflicts.
  • Assist in drafting reports, policy briefs, and strategic analyses for international organizations and stakeholders.
  • Support the preparation of podcast and social media for the UNPO Academy.
  • Monitor developments in global politics, international law, and policy related to human rights, minority rights, and indigenous issues.
  • Help maintain and update relevant geopolitical and policy databases and resources.

Qualifications:

  • Current student or recent graduate in a relevant field (e.g., International Relations, Political Science, Geopolitics, Public Policy).
  • Strong sensitivity to human rights and, in particular, minority and indigenous rights.
  • Solid understanding of geopolitical trends, international institutions, and policymaking processes.
  • Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex geopolitical and policy information.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of French or other languages is an asset.
  • Detail-oriented and capable of handling multiple tasks efficiently.
  • Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
  • Knowledge of Podcast editing and Canva.

What We Offer:

  • 6-month unpaid internship.
  • Learn from experienced professionals in international relations and policy advocacy.
  • Gain valuable insights into the geopolitical challenges faced by unrepresented peoples and nations worldwide.
  • Contribute to impactful research and policy initiatives that advance human rights.
  • Build your resume and portfolio with practical experience in geopolitical analysis and policy development.

How to Apply: To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample (in English) to: [email protected]. Please include “Geopolitical Analyst Internship” in the subject line of the email. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide feedback to individual applicants except for those interviewed for a placement.

letter to [email protected]. Please include “Secretary General Assistant” in the subject line of the email.

There are no internship openings at the moment. Please check back soon.

Pro Bono & Volunteering

Want to contribute your skills to our cause? We welcome pro bono support and volunteer contributions from experts, creatives, and activists. Whether you’re a lawyer, designer, researcher, or advocate, your time and expertise can help amplify marginalized voices.

  • Legal research
  • Fundraising
  • Communications support

Get in touch to discuss how you can help at [email protected]

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Dr Liam Saddington

Dr. Liam Saddington is a political and environmental geographer focused on the geopolitical impacts of climate change, particularly for small island states and the rising sea levels. His research on the UK’s evolving role in the South Pacific offers key insights into environmental degradation and displacement. He co-developed the Model UNPO, bringing conflict resolution and debates on human rights and environmental justice to UK schools. He serves as the academic advisor for the UNPO Youth Network and contributes to study sessions in partnership with the Council of Europe, contributing his expertise to global advocacy efforts.

Alexandra Gavilano

Alexandra Gavilano is an environmental scientist and climate justice decolonisation and democracy activist. With a focus on environmental protection, democratic decision-making, and personal and collective adaptation, Gavilano brings a wealth of experience in grassroots activism and advocacy to UNPO. As a climate and food justice activist, Gavilano has co-launched initiatives and associations that address social and ecological challenges. Her focus lies on system change for environmental protection, strengthening of democratic decision-making, and personal and collective deep adaptation. She serves as UNPO’s Sustainable Empowerment Campaign advisor.

Prof Francesco Palermo

Francesco Palermo is a professor of comparative constitutional law at the University of Verona and Director of the Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research in Bolzano/Bozen. He worked for the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and was member and president of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. From 2013 to 2018 he served as a non-party member of the Italian Senate, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the EU for the term 2018-2023 and Constitutional Adviser to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Autonomies since 2019. He has authored over 300 publications, including 11 monographs and 36 edited volumes. He serves as UNPO’s Democratic Pluralism advisor.

Dr Tenzin Dorjee

Tenzin Dorjee, also known as Tendor, is a Tibetan writer, activist, and scholar based in New York, specializing in nonviolent resistance and the intersection of religion, politics, and conflict. His work, including the book ‘The Tibetan Nonviolent Struggle’, reflects his deep commitment to human rights and political change. He combines academia and activism, with a strong academic background from Brown and Columbia, he has also led organizations like Students for a Free Tibet and the Tibet Action Institute.

Prof Fiona McConnell

Fiona McConnell is a Professor of Political Geography at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow in Geography at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Her research, which began with a focus on the exiled Tibetan government, now explores governance beyond the state and the articulation of political legitimacy by marginalized communities. Since joining the UNPO in 2012, she has been instrumental in developing the Unrepresented Diplomats Training Program and the Model UNPO, and co-authored influential reports on compromised spaces. As a political geographer, Fiona’s research aims to develop new areas of thinking regarding governance beyond the state, and has been Awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize and the Back Award. Fiona’s work continues to shape the discourse on self-determination and diplomacy.

Dr Michael van Walt van Praag

Dr. Michael van Walt van Praag is a distinguished international lawyer and expert in intra-state conflict resolution, known for his foundational role as the first General Secretary of the UNPO. In addition to his involvement with our organization, Dr. van Walt possesses extensive experience in facilitating peace processes and mediation, having facilitated peace talks throughout the world and lent his expertise as an advisor and consultant to governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in such processes. He currently serves as executive president of Kreddha and is a Senior Fellow at the Sompong Sucharitkul Center. In 2020, he was awarded a knighthood by the King and the Dutch government for his exceptional global contributions to conflict resolution and the rights of oppressed peoples.

Putheany Kim

Putheany Kim, mostly known as Kim, is a dedicated young activist passionate about human rights and environmental justice. Inspired by her father and driven by her aspiration to become a human rights ambassador, Kim has committed herself to promote a more equitable and sustainable future. Her work emphasizes collaboration, as she has built strong alliances with organizations and fellow activists recognising the power of unity in effecting meaningful change.

Senator Paul Strauss

Paul Strauss, is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States shadow senator for the District of Columbia since 1997. As a member of the Democratic Party, he advocated for D.C. statehood and federal representation. Strauss, also a former chairperson of the District’s Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals and a union organizer, is the principal of the Law Offices of Paul Strauss & Associates, P.C. He has been involved in various local and national political roles, including a significant role in the “51 Stars” campaign for D.C. statehood and international advocacy efforts. He has testified before the U.S. Senate, engaged with international bodies, and is an honorary member of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law.

Tammy Breedt

Tammy, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a dedicated politician and activist. She studied at the University of the Free State, where she was a student activist and served on the Student Representative Council. Tammy has been an active member of the Freedom Front Plus since 2006 and served in the Free State Legislature until 2019. After the 2019 General Elections, she became one of the first female Members of Parliament for the party, serving as the National Spokesperson on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Social Development, Women, and Youth. Currently the Deputy Chairperson of the party in the Free State, Tammy also leads the foreign relations and internationalization committee.

Elisenda Paluzie

Professor Elisenda Paluzie is a prominent economist at the University of Barcelona, where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business from 2009 to 2017. She holds an MA in in International and Development Economics from Yale University and a PhD in Economics from the University of Barcelona. With research experience from the London School of Economics, CERAS-ENPC in Paris, and Kyoto University, her work focuses on regional and urban economics and international trade. She served as President of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) from 2018 to 2022.

Rubina Greenwood

Dr. Rubina Greenwood is a prominent Sindh human rights advocate with more than 20 years of experience raising awareness on the human rights issues affecting the Sindh community in Pakistan. She is the President and founder of the International Sindhi Women’s Origination (ISWO) and President of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC). She has a Phd in Architecture from University of Glasgow and she is currently Director of Network Integration for the Network Rail Consulting.

Mercè Monje Cano

Mercè Monje Cano is a socio-cultural project manager and accomplished human rights advocate with over fifteen years of experience in advocacy, project management and strategic planning. Before her appointment as UNPO Secretary General, she had been serving as the Executive Director and Head of Programmes at the UNPO, where she also acted as the UN Representative. She has managed programmes, led numerous UN advocacy efforts, coordinate various human rights initiatives, and led trainings on advocacy techniques, showcasing her expertise in advancing the rights of minorities, indigenous peoples, and unrepresented groups.

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