Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). The Division is responsible for supporting African member States in their efforts to accelerate economic transformation and inclusive growth through effective development planning, improved macroeconomic management and economic governance as well as better mobilization and allocation of domestic and international public finance. It is divided into three main sections: Macroeconomic Analysis; Development Planning; and Economic Governance and Public Finance.

The Internship Program is located in the Macroeconomics and Governance Division (MGD) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The intern/s will be working under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of MGD and the direct supervision of the Chief of Macroeconomic Analysis Section (MAS) and the relevant responsible officers. For more information, please visit our website: www.uneca.org.

The internship is for 3 months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the Section. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the Section to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of the Chief of the Macroeconomic Analysis Section and the direct supervision of a relevant responsible officer, the intern will make an important contribution to the work of the Section. Daily responsibilities will depend on individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

– Research and analyze topics relating to sustainable economic development, governance, planning and poverty reduction in Africa
– Provide inputs to and edit publications, papers and other documents
– Liaise with MGD stakeholders
– Support the organization of meetings and events
– Assist with outreach activities
– Participate in day-to-day operational tasks of the Division. This may include servicing requests for information; support for developing presentations; liaison with partner organizations, etc; and
– Perform administrative tasks as assigned.

Competencies

The United Nations Core Competencies include:

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

The intern is expected to:
– Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter; and
– Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

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-level 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);

– Applicants who have graduated (as defined in (a) or (b) above), if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
– Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications.

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 Internship Programme, fluency in both language is required.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to the large number of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note 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 your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills and three references.

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.