Org. Setting and Reporting

The 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.

UNDSS is looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals with skills in data analysis and data science to join a new team, the Operational Resilience Unit (ORU). ORU provides specialist support to improve the Department’s overall resilience 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 focus of this internship opportunity is to assist ORU generate and communicate data-driven analyses and insights in support of decision-making processes.

The internship is for a period of three to six months, depending on the needs of the Department. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the ORU. This internship is designed to be conducted in person but can be adapted to accommodate remote/hybrid arrangements and/or part-time arrangements (20 hours per week) on an exceptional basis.

Responsibilities

The intern will provide support to ORU’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 ORU as deemed necessary by their supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

Planning & Organizing:
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
• Uses time efficiently.

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:

• The 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); 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.

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.

Keen interest in data analytics, information management, visualization techniques and emerging technologies (e.g., machine learning, generative AI) is desirable.

Strong knowledge of data management techniques, statistical methods, quantitative and/or qualitative research is desirable.

Strong knowledge of one or more analytics and visualization tools (e.g. Excel, PowerQuery, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, R, Python, ArcGIS) is desirable.

Knowledge of key business tools (Microsoft 365 Applications) 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an interview. Please note that due to large number of applicants, departments are not necessarily in a position to reply to each request and only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

Special Notice

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.

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.