INTERN - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

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 United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC). The interns take up assignments within the Data Unit of UNOCC. The Data Unit conducts integrated analysis, modelling and data engineering that informs senior UN leadership and decision-making fora on country risk outlooks, crisis developments, as well as and predictive and historic trends.

The UNOCC is a multi-party entity reporting to the USG for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), through the Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit (EOSG/SPMU) and, on peacekeeping matters, with oversight from the USG for Peace Operations, through the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS). The UNOCC also receives strategic oversight from a Client Board of principals from each of the client entities. The UNOCC provides global situational awareness, crisis and risk management, as well as facilitates cross-pillar analysis and decision-making in the UN. The UNOCC is operationally positioned under the ODCSS between the Department of Political and Peace building Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations.

This internship is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week). It can be adapted for remote and/or part-time (20 hours per week) upon request.

Responsibilities Candidates are requested to apply within one of the following tracks based on interest and baseline competencies.

TRACK 1: Data Analytics

• Conduct independent research, including data validation and informed selection of quantitative indicators, to support cross-pillar and integrated reporting needs; help fill data gaps and outputs in countries where primary data availability is low using secondary sources; help strengthen data-driven domain knowledge (economic, conflict, human rights, etc.) captured in analytical products and reports;
• Assist in generating visual slides for cross-pillar and integrated-reporting outputs to senior UN leadership using standard methodology and templates; help develop and maintain standard data and visual templates; Assist in producing custom visual outputs such as charts, graphs, infographics using graphing tools or via standard graphic design software like Adobe Suite;
• Assist in creating basic maps (base, choropleth, heat, proportional, dot density) and satellite imagery notation using standard geospatial techniques and GIS software;
• Help build, process, organize, and transcribe structured surveys to support evidence-based decision making and internal consensus building; Assist in the development and maintenance the survey codebook and database;
• Help systematically analyze and produce reports on decisions made in the risk preventions forums administered by the UNOCC;
• Develop dashboards and visualizations for senior managers and provide user support;
• Assist with ad-hoc analysis and reporting needs by helping validate, process, and organize datasets.

TRACK 2: Data Science

• Support the development, update and maintenance of risk models and composite indices, that draw upon internal and external sources, including checking data preparation scripts, BI pipelines, relationship models, forecasting/data imputation workflows and scripts, and transformation steps;
• Help with the design and introduction of baseline geostatistical workflows for pattern analysis (e.g., classification, clustering, prediction, hotspot);
• Support the design and introduction of baseline trend analysis workflow using time-series data (e.g., autocorrelation, decomposition, anomalies, forecasting);
• Design and deploy big data and semi- as well as unstructured text analytics workflows;
• Assist in the research and design of statistical methodology for data analytics, including correlation, bias, trend analysis based on peer reviewed and scientific methodology, and contribute to the Python source code for workflow automation;
• Assist in testing (statistics, winsorization, correlation testing, score mapping, aggregation) and developing standard Composite Indicators and Scoreboards tool/workflow for long-term and short-term risk indices.

TRACK 3: Data Engineering

• Assist in engineering and deployment of systems for automatically generating integrated reports and maps using tools within the UNOCC data platform;
• Support the transition to more automated, sustainable and robust data pipelines in the Microsoft Azure cloud environment;
• Assist in the management, setup, and configuration of cloud services operated by UNOCC;
• Assist in automating survey to reporting workflow using cloud-based systems and serverless tools;
• Support the development and customization of web application projects with a focus on data-driven and geospatial functionality;
• Help monitor and troubleshoot unexpected issues in data harvesting systems and scripts (e.g., Azure Functions, MQuery, Python Scripts, Azure Data Factory);
• Assist in the routine maintenance and strengthening of the data catalogue supporting all reporting mechanisms such as RMRs, ECDC, FactPacks etc, using standard data deployment pipelines;

• Assist in developing and maintaining the decision trackers and reporting pipelines across prevention forums.

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM

• Shows pride in work and in achievements

• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments
• Observing deadlines and achieving results
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
• Remains calm in stressful situations

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

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS

• Actively seeks to apply emerging technology across tasks
• Keeps abreast of available technology
• Understands applicability and opportunities of technology for the organization

• Shows willingness to learn new technology

  Education Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application:

a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

The field of study must be closely related to the type of internship you are applying for. This includes studies in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Management, GIS, Statistics, Mathematics, Management and Strategy, Analytics, Operations Research, Data Visualization or Information Design, Economics, Business Administration, or closely related fields.

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.

TRACK 1: Data Analytics

• Keen interest in supporting systematic integrated analysis and cross-pillar reporting
• Strong knowledge of data management techniques, quantitative / qualitative analysis
• Ability to merge disparate information sources using business intelligence and generate analytical reports
• Strong knowledge of one or more analytics and presentation tools (e.g., Power BI, Excel, Tableau, Infogram, PowerPoint, SQL, R, Python)
• Experience in designing standard templates and deploy web-based storytelling tools
• Presentation design skills (knowledge of Adobe InDesign / Illustrator) and experience generating custom data visualization

• Experience in the use of GIS tools such as ArcGIS and QGIS for mapping, and the ability to execute geospatial analyses are desirable

  TRACK 2: Data Science

• Keen interest in supporting data-driven hypothesis testing, drawing verifiable insights, finding hidden patterns, and supporting rigor in analytical workflows

• Ability to check and correct data quality issues using statistical methods
• Knowledge of data modelling processes, e.g., the ability to work with composite indices and ensemble models
• Experience in quantitative trend analyses with time-series and geospatial data, e.g., autocorrelation, decomposition, forecasting
• Knowledge of how to design and deploy big data and text analytics workflows for pattern recognition and anomaly detection

• Experience supporting workflows using GIS data for geospatial analysis such as spatial aggregation, density, clustering, hotspot, proximity, and change are desirable

  TRACK 3: Data Engineering

• Keen interest in information systems design and integrating scalable and future-proof technologies for business process optimization

• Strong knowledge of one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, R, Java, C#)
• Strong knowledge of one or more database technologies (e.g., SQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL)
• Knowledge of data harvesting techniques and tools (e.g., scraping, API workflows)
• Experience in system setup, configuration and maintenance (e.g., servers, virtual machines, network configuration, access rights)
• Attention to system design and engineering approaches (e.g., use cases, functional structures, diagrams)

• Experience in Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS cloud-based tools and services for data pipeline engineering are desirable

  Languages Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

  Special Notice The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country's non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.

Applicants who are children or siblings (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of a staff member and sons or daughters-in-law may not be engaged as an intern.

In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible. A completed online application is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

In the Motivational Statement, candidate should indicate the track they are interested in:

Track 1: Data Analytics Track 2: Data Science Track 3: Data Engineering

The Motivational Statement must also include: •Title of degree you are currently pursuing. •Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?) •Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship - Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme

In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we can ONLY contact successful candidates.

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.

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.