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Careers and Internships at IPDS

We believe meaningful change begins with passionate, creative minds. Join the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies to work on research, dialogue and programmes that shape conversations on peace, diplomacy and international affairs.

Opportunities
Internships and volunteering
Based in
Islamabad, or remote
Applications
Open year-round
Reply
Within three weeks

Why IPDS

The Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies is an Islamabad-based think tank working on peace, diplomacy and international affairs through nine centres of study, the Journal of Peace and Diplomacy, the Islamabad Diplomacy Forum, and training programmes for young diplomats and leaders.

Our interns, volunteers and staff are part of that work from their first week. We look for curious, dependable people who write well, work carefully and care about the issues.

Real policy work

Contribute to research, publications and dialogues that reach diplomats, policymakers and scholars.

Guidance from practitioners

Work alongside the Institute’s researchers and programme team, with regular feedback on your work.

An international network

Meet ambassadors, officials and scholars through our centres, forums and training programmes.

Something to show for it

Leave with published or presented work, a certificate of completion, and references for strong performance.

Open positions

Choose a position to read the details, then apply with the form below. If nothing fits yet, send a general application and we will keep your profile in our talent pool.

Research and Policy AnalysisRolling applications

Research Intern, Centres of Study

Support research at one of the Institute's ten centres, from literature reviews and data collection to drafting briefs and commentaries.

InternshipIn person (Islamabad) or remoteEight to twelve weeks15 to 25 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Research and summarise developments for a centre of study, such as the Centre for BRI and China Studies, the Centre for SCO Studies or the Centre for Central Asia and Eurasian Studies.
  • Compile literature reviews, timelines and data for IPDS trackers and policy papers.
  • Draft short analytical pieces under the guidance of the Research Desk, with a chance to be published.
  • Take notes and write reports at dialogues, roundtables and webinars.

Who should apply

  • Students and recent graduates in international relations, political science, peace and conflict studies, strategic studies, economics, law or a related field.
  • Clear, careful writers in English who enjoy reading widely and checking sources.

What you will gain

Hands-on experience of policy research at a think tank, feedback on your writing, and the chance to contribute to published work.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Research and Policy AnalysisRolling applications

Editorial and Publications Intern

Help prepare IPDS commentaries, policy papers and the Journal of Peace and Diplomacy for publication.

InternshipRemote or in person (Islamabad)Eight to twelve weeks10 to 20 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Copy-edit and proofread articles against the IPDS house style.
  • Check references, citations and facts.
  • Format manuscripts and prepare them for the website and the journal.
  • Keep track of submissions and correspondence with authors.

Who should apply

  • Students and graduates with excellent written English and an eye for detail.
  • Familiarity with referencing styles (Chicago, APA) is an advantage.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Communications and Digital MediaRolling applications

Content Writing and Communications Intern

Turn IPDS research, events and programmes into clear, engaging writing for the website, newsletter and social media.

InternshipIn person (Islamabad) or remoteEight to twelve weeks15 to 25 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Write news stories and event summaries for the IPDS website.
  • Draft posts for LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
  • Contribute to the IPDS newsletter.
  • Help prepare press releases and programme materials.

Who should apply

  • Students and graduates in media, communications, English, international relations or a related field.
  • Confident writers who can explain complex ideas simply. Please attach two or three writing samples.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Communications and Digital MediaRolling applications

Digital Media and Design Intern

Create graphics, short videos and social media content for IPDS, including coverage of events and DiploTV.

InternshipIn person (Islamabad) or remoteEight to twelve weeks15 to 25 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Design social media graphics, event banners and infographics.
  • Edit short videos and reels from IPDS events and interviews.
  • Photograph and film events in Islamabad (for in-person interns).
  • Help plan the content calendar and track audience response.

Who should apply

  • Designers and video editors with a portfolio, using tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, CapCut or Premiere Pro.
  • Please include a portfolio link or file with your application.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Programmes and EventsRolling applications

Programmes and Events Intern

Help plan and run IPDS dialogues, conferences and training programmes, including the Islamabad Diplomacy Forum and the International Young Diplomats School.

InternshipIn person (Islamabad)Eight to twelve weeks20 to 30 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Coordinate speakers, participants and partners before and during events.
  • Handle logistics: venues, schedules, materials, registration and protocol.
  • Support the delivery of training programmes and cohorts.
  • Write post-event reports and keep programme records up to date.

Who should apply

  • Organised, dependable people who are calm under pressure and good with people.
  • Based in or able to travel to Islamabad for events.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Programmes and EventsRolling applications

Event Volunteer

Join the volunteer team for IPDS conferences, dialogues and the Islamabad Diplomacy Forum, helping with registration, guests and on-the-day support.

VolunteerIn person (Islamabad)Per eventOne to three days per event
Role details

What you will do

  • Welcome and register guests, speakers and delegations.
  • Guide participants, manage sessions and support the programme team.
  • Help with set-up, media and hospitality on the day.

Who should apply

  • Students and young professionals in or near Islamabad with a professional manner and an interest in diplomacy.
  • We contact volunteers ahead of each major event.

Terms: Voluntary; volunteer certificate

Apply for this role
Partnerships and External RelationsRolling applications

Partnerships and Outreach Intern

Research universities, think tanks and embassies, and help IPDS build and manage partnerships in Pakistan and abroad.

InternshipRemote or in person (Islamabad)Eight to twelve weeks15 to 25 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Research prospective partner institutions and keep the partnerships database up to date.
  • Draft outreach emails, concept notes and partnership proposals.
  • Help prepare for meetings with embassies and institutions.
  • Track memoranda of understanding and follow-up actions.

Who should apply

  • Students and graduates in international relations, business or a related field, with strong written English.
  • A second language, such as Chinese, Russian, Arabic, French or Turkish, is an advantage.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role
Web, Technology and DataRolling applications

Web, SEO and Data Intern

Help maintain the IPDS website, improve its search visibility, and build data visualisations for research trackers.

InternshipRemote or in person (Islamabad)Eight to twelve weeks15 to 25 hours a week
Role details

What you will do

  • Update pages and publish content on the WordPress website.
  • Run SEO checks and fix issues found in site audits.
  • Build charts and data visualisations for IPDS research.
  • Report on website analytics.

Who should apply

  • Students and graduates in computer science, data science or a related field, or self-taught builders with a portfolio.
  • Experience with WordPress, HTML/CSS, SEO tools or Python is welcome.

Terms: Unpaid internship; certificate of completion, and a reference letter for strong performance

Apply for this role

Internships at IPDS

Our internships are designed as real work placements: each intern joins a team, takes on defined responsibilities, and is supervised by a member of staff.

Length and hours

Eight to twelve weeks, usually 15 to 25 hours a week. Start dates are agreed with each intern.

In person or remote

Work from the IPDS office in Islamabad, remotely, or a mix, depending on the role.

A named supervisor

Each intern works with a member of the IPDS team, with a check-in every week.

A defined output

Most internships end with a piece of work you can show: a brief, a report, a campaign or a project.

Certificate and references

Interns who complete their placement receive a certificate of completion, and strong performers a reference letter.

Unpaid, unless stated

Internships and volunteering at IPDS are unpaid learning placements unless the listing says otherwise.

How we select

1
Apply

Choose a position and complete the form, with your CV and a short statement. You will receive an acknowledgement and a reference number by email.

2
Review

The programme team reads every application against the needs of the role. We aim to reply to every applicant within three weeks.

3
Interview and task

Shortlisted candidates are invited to a short interview, usually online, and may be asked to complete a brief writing or practical task.

4
Offer and start

Successful candidates receive an offer setting out the role, supervisor, hours and start date, followed by an induction.

Other ways to work with IPDS

Non-Resident Research Fellowship →

A four-month remote fellowship for researchers with an MPhil or doctorate and a record of publication.
Write for IPDS →

Submit commentary and analysis for publication. Every submission is read by the Research Desk.
IPDS Scholars Network →

For established scholars and practitioners who would like to speak, write, review or collaborate with our centres.

Apply

Applying takes about fifteen minutes. Please have ready your CV (PDF or Word) and, for research and communications roles, a writing sample or portfolio. You can apply for more than one position by submitting the form again.

Part 1

Position

Applying for more than one role? Submit a separate application for each.
Part 2

About you

Part 3

Education and availability

Part 4

Skills and experience

Choose a position in Part 1 to see the skills for that role.

Part 5

Statement and documents

Your cover letter, in 120 to 400 words: what draws you to the Institute’s work, what you hope to learn, and what you would contribute.
PDF or Word (.pdf, .docx or .doc), up to 10 MB.
Strongly encouraged for research and communications roles. PDF or Word, up to 10 MB.
Part 6

Declarations

You will receive an acknowledgement with your application reference by email. If you do not see it within a few minutes, please check your spam folder.

Questions

Are internships paid?

Internships and volunteering at IPDS are unpaid learning placements unless the listing says otherwise. Interns who complete their placement receive a certificate of completion, and strong performers a reference letter.

Can I intern remotely?

Yes, for many roles. Each listing says whether it is in person in Islamabad, remote, or either. Events roles are in person.

Who can apply?

Undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates and professionals. Most internships suit students in the later years of a degree and recent graduates.

Is there a deadline?

Most positions accept applications year-round and are reviewed as they arrive. Where a position has a closing date, it is shown on the listing.

Can I apply for more than one position?

Yes. Submit a separate application for each position. If you apply again for the same position with the same email address, your new application replaces the earlier one.

When will I hear back?

You will receive an acknowledgement straight away. We aim to reply to every applicant within three weeks.

What happens to my data?

Your application is seen only by the IPDS staff assessing it, and is used solely to consider you for this and similar roles. To have it removed, reply to your acknowledgement email.

On this page
At a glance
Who: students, graduates and professionals
Where: Islamabad, or remote
Internships: eight to twelve weeks
You need: a CV and a short statement
Time to apply: about fifteen minutes
Questions?

Please apply through the form. For anything else, write to:

info@ipd.org.pk

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