INTERN - ACCESSIBILITY
Assist with accessibility efforts for persons with disabilities at UN meetings.
Overview
Assist with accessibility efforts for persons with disabilities at UN meetings.
You have:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school program or final year of bachelor's program or have graduated within the last year.
- Fluent in English required; knowledge of a second UN language or sign language is desirable.
- Experience with supporting persons with disabilities is desirable.
Contract
This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.
Work Location
In-person
Expected duration
Two months
Duties and Responsibilities
During the period of the internship, the intern will develop a deep understanding of intergovernmental processes and will support the efforts of UN Secretariat for inclusion and greater participation of persons with disabilities in the meetings of the Organization. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Assisting the DGACM Accessibility Center with various tasks in support of persons with disabilities when attending UN meetings; Assisting in the planning, organizing and supporting of provision of accessibility services to meetings held at UNHQ; Supporting the engagement with persons with disabilities in collaboration with the representatives of other Departments of UN Secretariat; Contributing to strengthening accessibility measures for official meetings and other events; Performing other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants at the time of the application meet one of the following requirements: a) Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in a) and b) above) and must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Program. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Experience with supporting persons with disabilities is desirable.
Languages
Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English are required. A working knowledge of a second language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable. Knowledge of a sign language is desirable.
Additional Information
The Secretary-General launched the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy in June 2019 to create a basis for lasting and transformative change on disability inclusion across the work of the UN system. The Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for ensuring that the UN system is fit for purpose to promote disability inclusion in its programs and operations across the three pillars – human rights, peace and development and security. It is applicable at both headquarters and country levels. This position is located at Headquarters in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Services (DGACM). DGACM supports the UN’s efforts for inclusion and greater participation of persons with disabilities in the meetings of the Organization. The intern will be responsible for assisting with accessibility tasks in implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy. The internship will take place over the months of June and July 2025 when such major events as the Meetings of States Parties to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) as well as other meetings are held at the United Nations New York Headquarters. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of the assigned supervisor. This internship is an in-person assignment at United Nations New York Headquarters and cannot be discharged remotely.
Intern Specific text
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you worked on a project that involved accessibility services? | This question seeks to understand your direct experience with accessibility. | Discuss specific examples of projects or tasks where you ensured accessibility. |
| How would you approach engaging with persons with disabilities in a collaborative setting? | The interviewer wants to know your interpersonal skills and sensitivity to inclusion. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to promote disability inclusion in meetings? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple events or meetings? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you believe are the biggest challenges to disability inclusion at large events? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |