Work Location

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Expected duration

3-6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asia and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership through analytical, normative, and technical cooperation to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The Subregional Office for North and Central Asia covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Afghanistan as a member of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). The Subregional Office is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and is offering an internship opportunity. Under the general guidance of the Deputy Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Associate Economic Affairs Officer, the intern will assist in conducting research and providing administrative support related to SONCA’s works to facilitate economic development, enhance connectivity, strengthen environmental protection, and mainstream climate change in North and Central Asia. Specifically, the tasks expected include: • SDGs-related research: assist in data collection and analysis, note-taking, drafting and editing background notes, official documents, speeches, and presentations about the Sustainable Development Goals; • Multistakeholder engagement and coordination: support organization of subregional meetings to discuss priority areas for sustainable development and regional cooperation in North and Central Asia; • Event management: backstop and provide logistical support to conferences, expert group meetings, capacity-building workshops, and other events organized by SONCA in on-site, online, and hybrid settings; • Ad-hoc research and general administrative supports. More details are available at: https://www.unescap.org/subregional-office/north-central-asia The internship is UNPAID, full-time, and may be conducted remotely or in person, subject to the rules of entry of the host country. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in SONCA or the section to which they are assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

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 degree or equivalent). The intern is expected to: • Have demonstrated familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals; • Have demonstrated strong writing skills and the ability to analyse research publications and policy documents to provide succinct outlines of and comments on key messages in the form of summaries, briefings, background notes, and other materials. • Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and • Have demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views; • Have a demonstrated ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data and create data visualizations and infographics based on tables, figures, and statistical results. • Is proficient with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, Teams, Video Conference software and hardware, and statistical software. The Cover Note MUST INCLUDE: i. Your motivation for the internship (explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme and why you are the most suitable candidate for this internship) ii. Your most relevant skills, competencies and experiences (data analysis, research, language, etc.) that can be an asset to your application for this internship iii. Your availability period for the internship (when are you available and for how long) A complete online application (Candidate Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Candidate Profile must include: • Title of degree programme (What are you currently studying or what have you studied); • Graduation date (When will you be graduating or when did you graduate from the programme?); • List of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in; • List of your top three areas of interest; • Explanation about why you are the most suitable candidate for this specific internship; and • Explanation of your interest in the ESCAP Internship Programme, especially with SONCA; • Indication of your available period for the internship, i.e. when and how long (note: the minimum duration of an internship is three months and can be extended up to six months); • Indication of interest in relocating to Almaty, Kazakhstan, if it becomes possible or preference for an online internship. In your online Administrative Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, language skills, and three names of references and contact information. Please note that due to the large number of applications, SONCA is not in a position to reply to each application and that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of Russian language is an asset for assignments in North and Central Asia. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.