Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the protocols thereto, which include the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Protocols. UNODC is mandated to promote global adherence to the Protocols and to assist Member States in their efforts to effectively implement them. UNODC provides technical assistance in assessing and strengthening national responses on prevention, investigation and prosecution of the crimes, developing international cooperation, and respecting the right of migrants and victims.

These internship positions are located in the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB) of the Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The envisaged start date is in June 2023.

Internships are UNPAID and full-time (40 hours, 5 days per week). The internships can be in person or remote, with the exception of the profiles related to case-law collection and analysis, which are only remote.

The UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) works to advance the international agenda on countering trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants in all UN related inter-agency and inter-governmental processes and fora, and supports, among others, the activities relating to the provision of legislative assistance to UN Member States upon request. It further works to develop and disseminate knowledge on trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants through the publication of thematic and technical tools.

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

The interns will provide substantive, organizational and logistic support to the daily work of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section. Particularly, the interns will be focusing on some of the below set of tasks, depending on which sub-team they will be part of:
– Perform background research and analysis on country situation, trends and concepts relating to human trafficking and migrant smuggling;
– Assist in technical support to the planning, implementation and monitoring of regional and national technical assistance projects and activities;
– Support in the preparation of training material for technical assistance activities such as capacity-building workshops;
– Assist in collecting and analyzing case-law, as well as uploading material to the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants databases on SHERLOC;
– Assist in knowledge development and management, including in updating the e-hub KNOWTS;
– Assist in the preparation and holding of intergovernmental meetings and other events such as the Working Groups on Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants;
– Contribute to the drafting of official UNODC submissions or related guidance notes;
– Assist in strengthening the involvement of UNODC in inter-agency fora;
– Assist in liaising with offices within the United Nations, other external organizations and Member States;
– Assist in preparing briefing notes, statements, presentations and communications;
– Compile weekly press clippings on smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons;
– Carry out other tasks related to the implementation of the Global Programmes as requested.

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.

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; identifies 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 Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

• Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (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 recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) (OFFICIAL WRITTEN PROOF FROM THE UNIVERSITY SUPPORTING ONE OF THE ABOVE POSSIBILITIES MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE INSPIRA APPLICATION). Studies in criminology, law, political or social sciences, international relations or in a related field are required;

• 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.

Furthermore, applicants to this internship should:
• have sound analytical skills and good drafting ability;
• be proficient in computer skills, especially MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

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 the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further assessment.

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.

A completed online application (Motivation Statement, Candidate Profile as well as proof of enrolment and/or graduation) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Motivation Statement must include:
• Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
• Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
• List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
• List your 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 general and this assignment in particular. In your online Candidate Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Do not forget to attach your proof of enrolment or graduation.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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.

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.