Sample cover letter for Internship position at UN

The combination of my academic background and professional experience in setting up multi-stakeholder partnerships, and my knowledge of development issues make me a competitive candidate for the internship. Throughout my studies in International Business and Politics I have expanded my interest in multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable development. I am currently researching the potential of intersectoral partnering to promote sustainable food production and food security in East Africa. Onsite research into projects in Kenya has taught me that there are significant untapped opportunities for these market-based solutions. Through my research I have developed a framework for designing and implementing effective partnerships which maximise the creation of development value.

My professional experience in stakeholder management and partnership brokering in the public sector and in development organisations, has given me the skills to effectively build relations with individuals of different backgrounds. During my work as a program management assistant with the Dutch Embassy in Rome, I managed a series of events on city sustainability, presenting Dutch and Italian best practices in terms of sustainable construction, smart mobility and water management. I was the main point of contact for external stakeholders involved in the programme, which allowed me to perfect my skills in stakeholder management.

Furthermore, during a three-month internal advisory project for a NGO in India I have shown to quickly interpret new information and capture these insights on paper. After conducting onsite studies into local initiatives and interviews with stakeholders, my recommendations have greatly improved inter-branch communication, and helped the NGO to build recognition, support and funding. The internship position combines my strong interest in working for an international organisation in the area of development with my experience in multistakeholder collaboration. In my previous experiences, I have discovered that I am driven by intellectually challenging development problems, and thrive in an international context.