Org. Setting and Reporting
The internship is located in the United Nations Information Center in Washington, D.C. The Center is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in the United States and is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating UN information materials to a local audience in English; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves.
The duration of the internship is a minimum of three months with possibility of extension for three additional months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time or part-time depending on academic obligations, to commence as soon as possible. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) for full time or three days per week (21 hours) for part-time, under the supervision of the Deputy Director and other office staff.
This internship will take place, in-person, during the Spring 2024 academic semester (January-May 2024). With that in mind, please specify your available start and end dates. Please include whether you are available full-time or part-time. Please also indicate whether you will be participating in an official academic internship semester and if so, with which school or program. Only candidates providing specific details about availability will be considered.
Candidates are encouraged to highlight their specific skills and/or experience in their application. They are asked to do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving division.
Responsibilities
The selected intern will perform duties to include, but not limited to the following:
• Assist with content and design of social media posts and conduct analysis of social media metrics;
• Assist with the production of communication products, including conducting research, compiling information, coordinating logistics, and assisting with public inquiries;
• Assist with preparations for events, high-level visitors from headquarters and field offices, and speaking engagements;
• Compile, analyze and organize data for office reports;
• Attend meetings and draft summaries;
• Perform other tasks as necessary.
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 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-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.
Education
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Information Centre, the following
conditions must be met:
– Applicants 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);
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
– Be computer literate in standard software applications;
– Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the 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.
Other Skills and Requirements
Candidates for our internship positions are not required to have professional experience, though it can be of benefit to the office if you have interests, skills and knowledge in the areas below:
• Keen interest in international affairs, international organizations, management and change
• Strong planning, writing and communication skills
• Proficient in standard software applications
• Attention to detail and a passion for researching big-picture issues
• Familiarity with the United Nations is desirable
• Experience with social media in a professional setting is desirable
• Washington, D.C.-specific experience is a plus
• Experience in consulting, policy work or executive management support is an advantage
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.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profiles (PHP).
Individual interviews and/or tests may be conducted for further assessment.
Special Notice
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note should include:
• Title of degree you are currently pursuing
• Expected graduation date
• List of computer skills and programs that you are proficient in
• List of top two areas of interest within the United Nations
• Explain why you are the best candidate
• Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Program
• Outline your availability to commence the internship
In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, ICT skills, a writing sample (2-3 pages maximum) and include three references.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. No calls, please.
Question 1
a) This internship will take place, in-person, during the Spring 2024 academic semester (January – May 2024).
b) With that in mind, please specify your available start and end dates.
c) Please include whether you are available full-time or part-time.
d) Please also indicate whether you will be participating in an official academic internship semester and if so, with which school or program.
Question 2
a) Please describe any professional social media experience you may have.
b) Also please describe any Washington, D.C.-specific experience you may have.
c) Experience in these two areas is desired.
d) No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Program.
Question 3
a) Please describe any familiarity with the United Nations
b) What interests you about the UN and what you are hoping to accomplish during an internship with the UN Information Center.
c) What international or UN-related topics are you most interested in?
d) Briefly share your career ambition.
Question 4
a) Please share any other relevant information you think would be pertinent for this internship selection.
This internship is expected to be conducted in person. However, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.
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 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.
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.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
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.
Apply at: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=218335&Lang=en-US
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.
