Org. Setting and Reporting

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote inclusive economic, social, and environmental development, and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat, is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative, and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The Internship programme is for a period of three (3) to six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Section and/or Division. The Intern is to report to the designated Officer(s) with the Human Resources Management Section (HRMS), Division of Administration, ESCAP.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours), under the supervision of one or more designated staff members in HRMS.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision and direction of the relevant Officer(s) with HRMS, the Intern will support the development and implementation of staff engagement projects and initiatives with a focus on innovation, communication, and business improvement. In this connection, the Intern will be responsible, inter alia, for the following:
• Contribute to staff engagement project management initiatives with a focus on career development, continuous learning, networking, and civility in the workplace.
• Produce, develop, and review information products, such as announcement messages, audio-visual presentations, backgrounders, brochures, Frequently Asked Questions, and other necessary tools. This includes drafting, researching, obtaining clearances, and liaising with different stakeholders of staff engagement projects.
• Serve as a communication focal point for the different staff engagement projects.
• Prepare and lead briefings for learning focal points, as well as other necessary information sessions across the Organization.
• Support individual outreach to project contributors and volunteers.
• Research and propose ideas for information sessions and/or promotional events that would increase the visibility of the projects.
• Contribute to and keep track of the preparation of all necessary documentation.
• Collect feedback from stakeholders and prepare findings
• Propose qualitative and quantitative methodologies for project evaluation.
• Support data collection, report writing and visual data storytelling.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.
• The successful candidate will possess sound organizational and communication skills; be work detail-oriented, client-focused, and IT/tech-savvy (Office 365 applications).

This Internship opportunity offers the selected candidate:¿
• An opportunity to develop both communication and planning skills in the framework of modern HR project management.
• Exposure to the administrative functioning of ESCAP.
• A work experience in a multicultural work environment, and interaction with colleagues across various organizational units within ESCAP.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

To qualify for an Internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants to the programme 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 the Hiring Manager directly for interview.

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

The Cover Note should include:
– Degree Programme (What are you currently studying or what have you studied);
– Graduation date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from your programme);
– List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in;
– List of your top three areas of interest;
– Explanation of why you are the most suitable candidate for this specific Internship;
– Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

In the Candidate Profile, please include all past work experiences (if any), IT skills, and three references.

Please note that due to the large number of applicants, divisions are not in a position to reply to each application and that 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.