Work Location
UN Headquarters, New York
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. This internship opportunity is located in the Division of Field Operations within the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/. The duration of the internship is for a period of six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days (35 hours) per week under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned. This internship is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours or more). The internship can be adapted to accommodate hybrid arrangements for a limited amount of time, on an exceptional basis. UNDSS is looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals with skills in data analysis and data science to join the newly restructured Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). GSOC functions as the DSS unified information and crisis hub for the UNDSS, optimizes information management in order to facilitate timely decision-making, and enables effective and coordinated support (field-HQ, across UNSMS). The focus of this internship opportunity is to generate and communicate data-driven analyses and insights in support of decision-making processes. It will assist in enhancing the role of DSS in support of UN operations on the ground during crises and emergencies. This will be achieved through a proactive and forward-looking approach aimed at creating and implementing new ideas, methodologies, and solutions to an ever-evolving global security landscape. The intern will provide support to GSOC’s strategic and operational objectives. Examples of duties to be performed include the following: • Support with the development and implementation of databases, data collection systems, data analytics, dashboards and other strategies that optimize process efficiency and data quality; • Conduct independent research, analysis and interpretation of trends and patterns using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify relevant indicators and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data; • Assist in establishing and managing datasets from primary or secondary sources, including data validation and cleaning, and maintaining databases/data systems; • Present findings using a range of visualization tools and techniques, including dashboards, maps, charts, and/or infographics, to support data-driven planning, reporting and decision making; • Contribute to strategic innovation by employing state-of-the art technologies, including latest applications of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence; • Perform ad-hoc analysis and reporting requests to support the activities of the Operational Resilience Section as deemed necessary by their supervisor. • Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/special skills
• The applicants must meet one of the following requirements (a) or (b): (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) • The field of study must be one of the following or closely related to: Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Management, Geographic Information Systems, Statistics, Mathematics, Management and Strategy, Analytics, Operations Research, Data Visualization or Information Design, Economics, Business Administration; • 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; and • 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. SKILLS • Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. • Strong quantitative and qualitative research and analytical skills including substantial knowledge of forecasting and foresight techniques. • Strong knowledge of one or more analytics and presentation tools (e.g. PowerBI, Excel, Tableau, Infogram, PowerPoint, SQL, R, Python, SAS) • Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications (e.g. MSOffice 365) and be able to produce well-formatted, high quality PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, and Excel workbooks. • Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite or similar software, and/or document management platforms are not required, but desirable. • Ability to draft articles and make concise notes is desirable
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another language is an advantage.
Additional Information
A completed online application (Cover Note and Candidate Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Due to the high volume of applications received, we can ONLY contact successful candidates. The Cover Note must include the following: • Title of degree you are currently pursuing. • Graduation Date (When will you be/have graduating/graduated from the programme?). • IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • 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 Candidate Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. 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. Additionally, all interns must adhere to the following: • A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child. • Observe of all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 4 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2000/9 & ST/AI/2005/11. • Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to; or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law. • Show respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN. • Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN; and refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN.
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.