Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

3 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: For most Governments in the Arab region, advancing public finance management and fiscal policies in line with national development priorities and macro-fiscal sustainability remains a challenge. Arab States are facing increasing debt and debt service burdens, which have been aggravated by protracted crises and global macroeconomic uncertainty. Public budgets struggle to cover essential expenditure on social services as well as to meet commitments on climate action. ESCWA’s debt and fiscal policy initiatives provide decision-makers with analysis, tools and policy support related to public finance and debt sustainability toward achieving national development priorities in the areas of climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The internship is located within the Debt and Fiscal Policy Team of Cluster 3 of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The intern reports directly to the Senior Economic Affairs Officer, with an overall supervision by the Cluster Lead. Duties and responsibilities: • Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data related to public debt and fiscal policy issues including tax policy, expenditure policy in the Arab region. • Systematically follows through and retrieves, highlights and compiles information on public debt and fiscal policy in the Arab region from a wide variety of information sources; prepares inputs on the subject as required. • Prepares statistical tables and graphs and assists in the preparation of presentations and background substantive material on public debt and fiscal policy. • Assists in organizing national and regional workshops and preparing necessary material. • Attends meetings and workshops as required and prepares meeting notes. • Translates from English and French to Arabic and vice versa upon request. • Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned. The duration of a United Nations internship is for a minimum of two months on a full-time basis – this may be exceptionally extended for a maximum period of six months.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: 1. Applicants must: (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 (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above); 2. Applicants must: (a) be computer literate in standard software applications. (b) have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter; and (c) 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. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Knowledge in performing macroeconomic research is desirable. Knowledge in data analysis and visualization and using statistical tools is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

A completed online application must include, beside the mandatory Personal History Profile, a Cover Note mentioning the following: • Degree Programme (what are you currently studying?). • Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?). • List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • List of your top three areas of interest. • Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explanation of 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. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. This position allows for flexible working arrangements, contingent upon written agreement by the receiving entity. Interns under these arrangements must commit to an equivalent of at least two months full-time work and complete their internship within six months.

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.