A background check is a screening procedure used by employers, government agencies, and other organizations to verify information about a candidate and identify potential risks before extending an offer or granting access. Typical components include verification of identity, education credentials, prior employment, professional licenses, criminal records, credit history, immigration or right-to-work status, and, for sensitive roles, references and social media review.
For think-tank, diplomatic, and intergovernmental positions, background checks are often more extensive. National security roles in the United States require investigations administered by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which took over the function from the Office of Personnel Management in 2019 following the 2015 OPM data breach. Cleared positions are tied to designations such as Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret, with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) requiring a Single Scope Background Investigation. The United Nations Secretariat performs reference and academic verification through its Human Resources offices, and ST/AI/2006/4 sets out rules on the use of personal data in recruitment.
In the private sector, screening is regulated. In the United States, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires written candidate consent and an adverse action notice if a report leads to rejection. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued guidance limiting blanket exclusions based on arrest or conviction records. In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) restricts the processing of criminal-history data under Article 10 and requires a lawful basis and proportionality. The United Kingdom uses the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which issues Basic, Standard, and Enhanced certificates.
For Model UN delegates and junior researchers, background checks are most relevant when applying to:
- internships at the UN, OECD, World Bank, or IMF;
- fellowships at think tanks handling government contracts;
- foreign ministries and intelligence services.
Discrepancies on a CV — especially inflated titles or unfinished degrees — are the most common reason candidates fail screening, more so than criminal findings.
Example
In 2019, the U.S. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency assumed responsibility for federal background checks from the Office of Personnel Management after the 2015 OPM breach exposed records of millions of cleared personnel.
Frequently asked questions
Major think tanks usually verify education and employment, and those holding U.S. government contracts may require a security clearance investigation for specific projects.
Keep learning