Org. Setting and Reporting

The internship is located in the Drug Research Section, Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Vienna (Austria). The intern will work under the direct supervision of Professional staff of the Section.

This internship position is for a period of 6 months, starting in September 2023.

This internship is unpaid and full-time. The intern will work five days per week (40 hours).

The internship can be undertaken in Vienna or home-based.

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

Responsibilities

The intern shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to:

• Collect information based on review of scientific and grey literature on different research topics and sections related to drug use, manufacturing and trafficking at different levels (country, regional and international).
• Compile and summarize the information based on literature review related to the research topics/areas assigned.
• Assist with reference management and formatting for written outputs.
• Assist in presenting the compiled data in graphs and tables.
• Produce information outputs by designing visual content (e.g., infographics).
• Any other tasks related to the preparation of the World Drug Report 2023.
• Other relevant assignments 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 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.

Technological Awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• 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);
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
(OFFICIAL WRITTEN PROOF FROM THE UNIVERSITY SUPPORTING ONE OF THE ABOVE POSSIBILITIES MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE INSPIRA APPLICATION);

• 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;

• 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.”

In addition, for this particular internship:

Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Power Point is essential.

Studies in public health, pharmacy, sociology, political science, criminology or a related field, with a focus of studies on drug policy are required. Familiarity with the area of drug research (or comparable study area) and publishing in peer review journals (or comparable) would be an asset.

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. For the current position, fluency in English (i.e., oral and written proficiency) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager for further consideration.

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 (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

The Cover Note must include:
– Name of university and title of degree you are currently pursuing
– Graduation date (when you expect to graduate from the programme)
– A listing of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
– An explanation why you are the best candidate for an internship with the Drug Research Section, focusing on drugs.
– An explanation of your interest in the work of UNODC.

Applicants must attach to their application documentary evidence of continuing matriculation to a university degree programme in a graduate/post-graduate school during the planned period of internship (i.e. an official letter of confirmation from a university).

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.

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.