Political Affairs Intern: Coordination, planning, and analysis

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/ New York, USA

Expected duration

3-6 months. Desired duration from 4 March 2024 to 3 June 2024 (three months), with a possible extension of up to three additional months.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be (in person or remote) and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from (New York, USA).

This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or hybrid, or all remote.

A full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial four months. Internships may be extended up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division.

We seek motivated interns to support the work of the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC). The UNOCC is a multi-party entity reporting to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), and on peacekeeping matters to the USG for Peace Operations in the Department of Peace Operations. The UNOCC supports UN senior leadership decision-making through the delivery of situational awareness, cross-pillar analytics, preventive engagement, and crisis and risk management. Interns report to full-time professional staff in the UNOCC Prevention Team and support the preparation of Regional Monthly Reviews, the primary UN Headquarters forum for cross-pillar preventive action.

The internship is for an ideal period of six-months with a start date of 4 March 2024. 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) if circumstances allow.

Responsibilities: • Support the monitoring and analysis (qualitative and quantitative) of country and thematic risks, aligned to UN system-wide priorities • Assist in preparing visual slides and analytics (charts, graphs, infographics, maps) for senior UN leadership using standard methodology and templates; help process, organize, and transcribe structured surveys to support evidence-based decision making • Assist in the preparation of talking points and other senior-level correspondence; participate in meetings and prepare summaries; support the tracking and analysis of senior-level decisions and their implementation • Identify data sources, maintain and develop data sets, dashboards, and standard briefing material • Support delivery of presentations to Member States, including by compiling, processing, and visualizing information in a collaborative setting under time pressure

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience, but are encouraged to list relevant experience in their application, as well as interests, skills, and knowledge in the areas below:

• International affairs, policy analysis, performance optimisation • Experience in analysis, analytical tools, and statistical techniques • Presentation and data visualization skills • Data competency and knowledge

Competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: • Shows the ability to monitor and analyze political, human rights, humanitarian, operational, and security developments • Strong analytic skills related to working with data • Demonstrates the skill and knowledge necessary to produce visual presentations and briefs on substantive issues • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively • Shows willingness to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in professional situations • Applies an exceptional level of attention to detail to all tasks • Observes deadlines and achieves results

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

TEAMWORK: • A motivated self-starter able to use initiative to solve problems and work reliably to a high standard with minimal supervision • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve team goals • Actively seeks to apply technology across tasks

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants at the time of application must meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent)

Applicants to the United Nations Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Proficient in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar. Data analysis and visualization skills and proficiency in related software applications (e.g. Microsoft Power BI, SharePoint) are a strong advantage.

Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations 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.

Potential candidates may be contacted by the hiring manager for further consideration. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required (written and oral). Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

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 nonimmigrant 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 nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.

The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid or on the UN-premise duty station. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization.

Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems can not be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System can 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. 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.

The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are authorized to work from the country where the internship will be undertaken either remotely, hybrid or on the UN-premise duty station. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization.

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.