Org. Setting and Reporting

The Internship with the Energy Division is for a period of two to six months depending on the needs of the Division.

The Energy Division is working to support member States in enhancing energy security, energy transition and addressing climate change through regional cooperation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in particular the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7): Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of professional staffs of the Energy Division, the intern will undertake information collection, research and analysis in one or more of the following areas (candidates are requested to clearly indicate the area(s) of their interest in their applications):

1. Key energy challenges and solutions in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the three targets of SDG7 by 2030;
• Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
• Increase substantively the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

2. Good practices in mobilizing and rationalizing energy financing, prices, taxation and subsidies, as well as increasing energy affordability, promoting energy trade and energy connectivity, through policies, energy economics and innovative technologies etc.

3. Research to develop project proposals and to facilitate implementation of the Regional Road Map on “Regional Road Map on Power System Connectivity: Promoting Cross-Border Electricity Connectivity for Sustainable Development in particular power grid connectivity”;

• Identification and analysis of challenges and ongoing initiatives with effective mechanisms and policies at sub-regional and regional levels according to the nine strategies of the Regional Road Map
• Identify capacity-gaps of on-going initiatives and implementation of intergovernmental agreements, geo-political issues relevant to power system integration in the ESCAP’s five subregions.
• Assist the Division in implementing XB projects relevant to power system connectivity (energy modelling in North-East Asia; capacity building of energy regulators by subregion, developing a framework for sustainable energy connectivity).

4. Energy modelling at the country level:
• Collect and process information and data related to energy demand and supply at the country level, sub- regional and regional level
• Research national energy policies, priorities, targets and commitments, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on climate change and carbon neutral commitment
• Contribute to data analysis, including data entry, manipulation, and visualization in Excel

5. Economic analysis of access to electricity and clean cooking;
• Collect and process information and data related to energy access and its socio-economic benefits
• Research and analyse econometric analyses of the impacts of energy access
• Contribute to analysis of current policies and stakeholders influencing energy access
• Contribute to data entry and data visualization in Excel.

6. Analysis of the role of natural gas in achieving SDG 7 and transition to decarbonized energy systems. Research on social, economic, and environmental impacts of projected natural gas demand growth in Asia-Pacific.

7. Research on the impact of the energy transition on the extractives industry, including socio-economic implications of coal phase-out policies and reduced demand for fossil fuels, and implications of increased demand for critical raw materials and other inputs into renewable energy technologies.

8. Research on sustainable cooling, including passive cooling strategies to lower energy demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

9. Maintenance and update of the Asia-Pacific Energy Portal (asiapacificenergy.org). The Portal is the largest Asia-Pacific energy knowledge platform; covers up-to-date energy statistics, policy documents and infrastructure for 58 economies in Asia-Pacific.
• Perform continuous review of Portal energy indicators database to identify the current status, fill gaps, clarify, and correct any existing issues
• Perform data and metadata gathering and processing for the energy infrastructure maps section of the Portal. Research on GIS applications in energy planning with relevance to the Portal infrastructure maps.
• Review of official websites and news sources for ESCAP member countries policy release. Perform identification, processing and upload of national and sub-national energy policy documents for ESCAP member countries.

10. Knowledge management and updating webpage :
In cooperation with the Project managers and research assistant, to perform the following tasks:
• Help review news clippings in area related to energy for sustainable development, from local newspapers on global, regional and national issues;
• Provide research for background/information materials;
• Assist in the preparation of briefing information on the work of Energy Division;
• Provide assistance in the design and development of websites;
• Help initiate content for social media channels and explore more potential social media means to raise visibility of Energy Division, Asian and Pacific Energy Forum and ESCAP work on energy;

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.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession-Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally-Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates-Shows willingness to learn from others -Seeks feedback to learn and improve

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, 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).

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. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by a hiring manager directly for further consideration. The selection procedure may also include written test and an interview.

Special Notice

A complete online application (Cover Note and Candidate Profile) if required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:
– Title of degree you are currently pursuing
– Graduation Date (When will you be/have graduating/graduated from the programme?)
– List of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
– List of top three areas of interest/department preferences
– Explanation why you are the best candidate for that specific department(s)
– Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme

In your Candidate Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references.

Should there be a need for an intern that matches the applicant’s profile, the applicant will be contacted directly by the Division. Please note that due to the large number of applicants, Divisions are not necessarily in a position to reply to each request and only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

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.