Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) provides end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to the operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices-away-from-headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

The internship in the Planning, Design and Construction Section (PDCS) of the Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) of the Department of Operational Support is for three to six (3-6) months, depending on the Section’s needs.

One of the roles of PDCS is to examine and report on a wide range of building use, facility management matters, Member State Artwork Gifts and workspace accommodations within the United Nations in New York. PDCS continues to monitor the UN complex and update floor plans where necessary. Gift management requires record keeping for over 300 gifts, location placement, document references and condition assessment recording.

The internship is unpaid and is full time. Interns work five days per week (9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, New York time) under the supervision of the Chief of PDCS and/ or a staff member in the Section to which the intern is assigned Part time internship can also be considered depending on your status. For more information on terms and conditions of UN internship, please visit the UN internet site at https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=IP .

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and needs of assignments within the Section, the interns assigned within the work team, as well as the internship period. Under the general supervision of the Chief, Planning, Design and Construction Section (PDCS) and within delegated authority, the PDCS intern will assist with some of the following duties:

• Assist in reviewing existing floor plans and gift list; measure and survey floors and record changes,
• Assist in updating database changes to records in Excel/AutoCAD/ SharePoint and/ or paper records,
• Assist in updating Gift database changes for locations and info with Excel in binders or electronic folders,
• Create a list and organize gifts by floor plans, research files and store in electronic folders;
• Perform other related duties as required.

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 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.

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 by the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(2) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(3) Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2). Preferably in the area of Engineering/Architect/ Design/ Art History or Facilities Management degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher); or 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 an Engineering Architect/ Design/ Art History or Facilities Management degree.

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.

Computer literacy in standard software applications, including MS Suite (Word, Power Point,
Excel), is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Candidate Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:
• Title of degree you are currently pursuing
• Graduation date from your current program
• List of IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
• List your top three areas of interest/department preferences
• Explain why you are the best candidate
• Explain your interest in the UN Internship Programme in your Candidate Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences (if any), skills, and three references. Due to a high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

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.

Terms of the internship programme:
• The minimum duration of this internship is three months which can be extended up to a total period of six months.
• Interns are expected to work on a full-time basis in the entity that has selected them, under the supervision of a staff member at an appropriate level. For this office, the full-time basis is Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM (New York time).
• Internships may be undertaken on the basis of flexible working arrangements if:
(a) The receiving entity agrees in writing to accept an intern on the basis of flexible working arrangements;
(b) Interns agree that they are required to work the equivalent of a minimum of at least three months for this internship on a full-time basis in order to receive recognition of service as an intern. An internship under such arrangements must be completed within a six – month period. A record of attendance shall be maintained by the receiving entity in order to ensure that the intern meets this requirement.
• Interns serving in one entity do not have a right to transfer to another entity.
• Transfers between entities at the same duty station can be effected if all parties concerned are in agreement. In the case of a transfer from one entity to another, the duration of the internship shall be calculated as having started from the commencement of the original internship.

Full provisions related to the conditions and terms of the United Nations Internship Programme can be accessed on the following link: https://undocs.org/ST/AI/2020/1 .

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.

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.