Research Assistant (Intern)

Contract

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

Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration

3 months, with possibility of extension up to six months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the overall direction of the Chief of Branch and the guidance of the respective Chief of the Protection, Religion, Accountability and Human Security Section (PRAHSS), which deals with enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, human rights and counterterrorism, summary executions, religion, privacy and unilateral coercive measures. The intern reports to the Secretary of the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances. The intern shall support the mandate of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in fulfilling its mission to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of their family members who are reportedly disappeared. In particular, the intern will be responsible for assisting in the standardization of the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances database in the Americas, ensuring the currency of information stored within it, and digitizing cases that are currently in non-digital archives. The daily responsibilities of the selected candidate will consist of: • Standardize the existing database structure to ensure uniformity and efficiency in data storage and retrieval. • Verify the accuracy and currency of information stored within the database through thorough review and validation processes. • Digitize cases that are currently archived in non-digital formats, ensuring seamless integration into the digital database system. • Collaborating with the database management team to assess and standardize the existing database structure. • Liaising with relevant stakeholders to gather missing or updated data and inputting it into the database. • Scanning and digitizing physical documents and records and organizing them within the digital database system. • Assisting in the development and implementation of protocols and procedures for maintaining data integrity and security. For more information on the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and its work, go to: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures-human-rights-council.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, be a graduate or enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) preferably in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter. APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an asset (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian).

Additional Information

Not available.

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.