Org. Setting and Reporting
This internship is located with the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), under the Policy, Strategy and Governance Division. The internship is for three months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the Office. Interns work for up to five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The internship is UNPAID and can either be full-time or part-time.
In light of the current pandemic, the selected intern may have the option to telecommute for the entire duration of the internship and can do so from their home country. Compliance with UN cybersecurity rules and regulations will be mandatory (ST/SGB/2004/15).
Responsibilities
The Intern will support research and policy formulation in the areas of data and information management. Responsibilities may include: support with the conception, drafting and production of research papers, best practices, policy recommendations, workshops, and blog posts. Key themes covered will include: data governance, data privacy, data ethics, data literacy, data sharing, information access, and open data initiatives. The intern may also be tasked with researching these themes in the context of international law, international relations, and international organizations.
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.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing othersʼ 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. Identities 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.
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
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
1. Applicants are required to (A) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in International Relations, International Law, International Management, Digital Humanities, Political Science, Information and Communications Technology, Information Management, Library and Information Science, Archival Science, or Business Administration, with a demonstrated multi-disciplinary specialization in the topic of data or information management. If pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, they must have completed at least four years of fulltime studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of their studies in the specializations listed above; (B) or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelorʼs level or equivalent) in a relevant field; (C) or have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) in a relevant field; (D) If pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, have completed at least four years of full time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree related to the specializations listed above.
2. They must have outstanding critical thinking, research and communication skills, especially writing and presentation skills. They should also be comfortable interviewing experts for research purposes, and must have solid time management skills in order to complete deliverables according to agreed timelines.
3. They must have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter; and
4. They must have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Mutual respect and kindness are key values in this team and the selected intern will be mindful of these core values and will have a demonstrated ability to contribute positively in such a work environment.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in this internship programme. However, they must meet one of the following criteria:
(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).
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Assessment
Applicants are encouraged to clearly indicate their areas of interests and highlight their specific skills and/or experience in their cover note. They are asked to do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving UN department. Potential candidates may be contacted by the hiring manager for further consideration.
Special Notice
To apply:
A complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. To complete an online application, please create and complete a personal history profile (PHP) and a cover letter in the UN e-Recruitment system (careers.un.org). Please ensure that you indicate your proficiency in the English language in your PHP. Please note that incomplete applications with not be reviewed.
The cover note should include:
(1) Title of the degree currently being pursued by the applicant and the specific subjects taken;
(2) Expected graduation date from the degree programme that the applicant is enrolled in;
(3) List the IT skills and software programmes that you are proficient in;
(4) Explain how an internship with the Office of Information and Communications
Technology in the United Nations fits within your career plans and why you would be the best candidate for this team. Please note that due to high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences (if any), education, skills, languages and three references
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.