Org. Setting and Reporting
The internship is in the Office of Program Planning Finance and Budget (OPPFB) of the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).
Interns will support the review of International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) Consultation Papers, Drafts, Standards and provide comments for consideration by the working group and Task Force on Accounting Standards (UN TFAS); The role of the Task Force is to facilitate and coordinate dialogue amongst UN system organizations on accounting and financial reporting issues and practices.
Internship is for six months. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days a week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member (Senior Finance Officer).
Responsibilities
The interns will assist the Senior Finance Officer (SFO) in supporting the TFAS and its Working Groups by:
•Conducting surveys, research and analysis on topics under consideration by the TFAS and IPSASB and providing draft proposals elaborating issues and implications for the UN System Organizations;
•Helping maintain and keep the UN System wide IPSAS project website up to date;
•Providing support for the TFAS and Working Group meetings;
•Drafting notes and/or minutes of meetings.
•Assisting in drafting documents and performing administrative tasks as needed.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of accrual based accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make
conclusions and recommendations. Effectiveness in developing policies and procedures. Advanced computer skills including spreadsheet and database applications. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
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: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
1. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme in accounting, administration or related field (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;
2. Be computer literate in standard word processing and spreadsheets software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel or similar;
3. Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
4. 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.
Work Experience
No work experience required, however, your field of study must be related to Finance, Accounting or Administration.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
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. 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.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include:
•Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
•Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
•List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
•List your top three areas of interest.
•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, 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.
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.
