Advocacy & Engagement Associate at TAP Network (Wilson Ctr. Funded)

Organization Name: Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network

Internship Role/Title: Advocacy & Engagement Associate

Organization Website: tapnetwork2030.org 

Address: 305 E 47th Street, 10th Floor NY NY

Duration of Internship: 280 hour commitment (Full-time, 35 hrs/week for 8 weeks)

Eligibility: This Wilson Center funded opportunity is open to all registered Pace students (undergraduate, graduate and international students) that are graduating in Dec. 2026 OR later.

Modality: Hybrid

About the Organization: (Please limit your response to 200 words or less) 

The Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network is a broad and influential network of over 400 civil society organizations (CSOs) with a mission to foster and support a vibrant and resilient ecosystem of civil society, champions, practitioners and changemakers to collectively address systemic injustices and existential crises around peace, justice, human rights and accountability. 

We believe that systemic injustices and existential crises—from democratic backsliding to shrinking civic space and deepening inequalities—require a strong, resilient, and connected civil society ecosystem to drive transformation. As a network, TAP works around the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals – with a focus on SDG16 and its related themes of peacebuilding, justice, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and inclusive institutions. 

The TAP Network facilitates storytelling, cross-disciplinary learning, capacity strengthening, and thought leadership, which helps equip champions, practitioners, and changemakers from around the world with the narratives, tools, and knowledge to challenge entrenched power and systemic barriers to peace and justice. Through convening our membership, engaging in collective advocacy, and leading mobilization and campaigns, TAP creates platforms for dialogue across sectors and scales, bridges local and global action, and amplifies collective civil society voices in global policy arenas.

As the TAP Network we engage heavily around the United Nations, engaging in global policy processes while also working with TAP Network members to ensure their voices are reflected in global decision-making. Further, we work closely with a number of civil society coalitions across the sustainable development, gender equality, peacebuilding, and governance spaces to amplify impact. 

Position Overview: (Provide an overview of the role and its purpose in 4–6 sentences) 

The TAP Network is currently seeking an eager and qualified candidate to directly support TAP’s growing network of civil society actors working around the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.  This internship will focus on the UN’s 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York and preparations for the 2026 High-level UN General Assembly. Working directly with and supervised by the TAP Network Deputy Director, the intern will have many opportunities to attend meetings and high-level events at the United Nations, along with civil society gatherings, events and meetings on the topics of peacebuilding, justice, gender equality, human rights, and global governance. 

This internship will provide hands-on and substantive responsibilities within the TAP Network, including planning and executing key events during the 2026 HLPF as well as engaging members of the TAP Network in a number of areas related to advocacy, communications, and knowledge management for the issue of transparency and accountability in the 2030 Agenda. Importantly, this internship will also contribute to research and writing projects including emerging areas of work related to “existential threats” to civil society including issues such as shrinking civic space and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide.

The internship will take place in a hybrid format and the intern will be expected to be available in-person to attend various UN and civil society meetings. Of particular note, the intern will be expected to attend the HLPF in-person which takes place July 6th through July 15th. Aside from these dates we are rather flexible on internship timing. 

Key Responsibilities: (Use bullet points to clearly outline the major tasks and responsibilities 5–7 items preferred). 

• Help coordinate relevant meetings, events, conference calls and workshops for the Network around the 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF), and generate agendas, minutes and any other materials needed to advance TAP coordination and advocacy
   
• Attend relevant meetings related to the 2030 Agenda and TAP’s areas of work, liaising with relevant civil society representatives, UN personnel and diplomats as needed
   
• Contribute to research and writing projects related to issues such as shrinking civic space and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide
   
• Help coordinate campaign activities, events, calls and communications materials in the margins of the 2026 HLPF and in the lead-up to the 2026 UNGA
   
• Generate content for the TAP Network and #SDG16Now Campaign channels—including website and social media
   
• Assist the TAP Network Director and Deputy Director in following all relevant UN processes related to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and in coordination of TAP Network activities and work
   
• Assist in administrative duties for the program 
   

Preferred Skills: (please list general hard/soft/technical skills here, a bullet list will suffice)

• Preference will be given to candidates who possess prior knowledge (and/or experience) of the United Nations system and political processes, particularly around the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs (specifically SDG16 – peaceful, just and inclusive societies). 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Experience organizing in-person and virtual events via Zoom
• Research and writing skills, particularly for drafting reports and publications for advocacy-focused NGOs/non-profits in the realm of international development, peace and security
• Previous experience in website and social media management (experience with Buffer and WordPress is a plus)
• An ability to work independently, sometimes under pressure, and with strong attention to detail
• Interest in international affairs, sustainable development and human rights
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of a foreign language (particularly Spanish or French) is a plus
   

The Ideal Candidate is:

• A multi-tasking self-starter with an entrepreneurial drive
• Self-directed and able to work on creative and research projects with a degree of independence
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas
• A strong interpersonal connector with superb communications skills
• Passionate about international affairs and global policymaking, with particular emphasis on peacebuilding, human rights, justice, and civic space
• Knowledgeable about multilateralism, international law, and human rights including the role of the United Nations in these areas
• Experienced in event coordination, both online and offline

A passionate and quick learner with the ability to absorb and share information