Government Affairs Intern - Placement Year

Meet the Team

Cisco is seeking an intern for a year-long placement in its global Government Affairs team, covering the UK & Ireland. Based in London and reporting to the Head of Government Affairs, UK & Ireland, this individual will help advance Cisco’s government engagements and public policy efforts. The 12-month placement begins in July 2027 and is designed for an individual currently studying in higher education.

Cisco’s Government Affairs team represents the company with governments around the world to build relationships with key leaders, advance Cisco’s public policy goals, and educate governments about our industry. Government Affairs is involved in all key legislative, regulatory, and global issues that impact the technology industry.

We are comprised of government and public policy experts across two dozen countries who represent Cisco at the highest levels of government. The team has extensive experience in and out of government and are recognised leaders in the industry.

Your Impact

As a UK & Ireland Government Affairs Intern, you will support senior colleagues to represent the company with leaders at all levels of government throughout both countries. You will help to formulate and implement innovative policy solutions that advance Cisco’s business and enable our purpose to power an inclusive future for all.

Key responsibilities include:

• Research and monitor key policy trends, regulatory changes, and developments in areas such as connectivity, AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, skills, geopolitics, and trade.
• Develop and maintain internal-facing briefings, presentations, newsletters, and stakeholder maps to support the UKI Government Affairs function.
• Identify where Cisco can engage with policymaking and regulatory processes, including tracking key Parliamentary developments.
• Support the preparation, coordination, and follow-up of events and internal meetings.
• Explore where AI can improve team workflows and efficiency.
• Attend and produce summaries of conferences, hearings, and industry association meetings to provide actionable insights for the team.

At the start of your internship, we’ll be focusing on helping you bridge any knowledge gaps, and your tasks will be chosen to support your learning needs. As you progress, we’ll rely on you more as a full member of the team working to deliver high-quality outputs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Studying for a degree that is primarily focused on Politics, Public Policy, International Affairs, Economics, Law or related subjects.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and summarise findings in a clear, concise manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including flexibility, and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to legally live and work in the UK.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship or project experience related to technology policy or government affairs.
• Sound understanding of parliamentary processes and political institutions in the UK & Ireland.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of politics and current affairs.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionising how data and infrastructure connect and protect organisations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fuelled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

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