INTERN - ADMINISTRATION

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting We seek motivated interns to support the work of the Strategic Planning and Communications Services (SPCS) in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

Rooted in the United Nations Charter and guided by the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations. We bring the global community together to work towards common solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. We help countries translate their global commitments into national action in the economic, social and environmental spheres. We are a leading analytical voice for promoting inclusion, reducing inequalities, and eradicating poverty. UN DESA helps countries make informed decisions by providing a wealth of information through our publications and databases and through our support for international deliberations at the United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commissions, Forums and other bodies. Further information on UN DESA is available on the following website: http://www.un.org/desa.

The unpaid internship is for a minimum of two months with an opportunity for extension to a maximum of six months. The position is designed to be in person and full-time at the New York duty station. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted in a hybrid manner (in-person and remote). Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a full-time professional staff Member.

Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the internship period. The selected intern may perform some of the following functions:

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Tracking, researching and analyzing information on assigned topics, gathering information from diverse sources and assessing potential impact;
• Support the preparation of senior-level management meetings, conferences and retreats
• Support the preparation of background notes, summary briefs, and option papers
• Support the tracking and analysis of decisions and their implementation
• Assist in the preparation of speeches and talking points
• Help monitor, identify and analyze global trends
• Support the preparation of analytical reports, papers, talking points and correspondences
• Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes and policies

• Support the preparation of meetings, events, talks and visits

  Competencies Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education Applicants to the United Nations Internship Programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher such as Master's degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or post-graduate degree).

2) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).

3) Subject to review on a case-by-case basis, applicants within a few years from graduation who could not apply earlier and who are in an early stage of their careers; as a first time entry into the workforce; are changing careers or due to compelling family circumstances.

Interested candidates can pursue broad range of studies as indicated below:

Public or Business Administration, Management, International Relations, Gender Studies, Political Science, Law, Sociology, Geography, Economics or a related field.

Work Experience No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice 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.

The internship is for minimum of two (2) months, with a possibility of extension up to six (6) months.

Remote internships (COVID-19): In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship¿remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

G-4 visa for interns: All interns assigned to a UN Organization, including Funds and Programmes, at a United States based duty station, who are not United States citizens or United States legal permanent residents (LPR), will be required to obtain a G-4 visa prior to travelling to the United States.

Prospective interns who are already in the United States on another non-immigrant status may need to apply for a change of status to G-4 prior to joining the United Nations for an internship. It should be emphasized that prospective interns are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate valid visa and employment authorization allowing them to undertake the internship.

If the applicant is in F-1 status and has a valid EAD, they may undertake an internship within the scope of their F-1 visa without seeking a change of visa status. Please note, however, that interns in F-1 status who wish to undertake an internship following completion of their academic programme as part of Optional Practical Training (OPT) ‘may’ need to seek a change of visa status to G-4 (This process currently takes about 8-10 weeks) or obtain G-4 visa overseas.

To qualify for G-4 nonimmigrant status, interns must be serving essentially full-time, i.e. 35 + hours per week.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All past work experiences, IT skills, languages, and three references, must be included in the Personal History Profile.

The Cover Note must include: - Name of university and title of degree you are currently pursuing - Graduation date (when you expect to graduate from the programme) - A listing of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. - An explanation why you are the best candidate for an internship with the Office. - Period of availability: Fall (September-December) ; Winter/Spring (January-April) or Summer (May-August)

All interested candidates must: - Be computer literate in standard software applications; - Have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; - Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.