Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions.

The Human Resources Services Division (HRSD) provides dedicated services in support of human resources requirements of client entities, from process development through service delivery. The Division establishes and manages rosters across all job families, organizes testing and examinations, provides operational support and other advisory service for clients for the full spectrum of their delegated authorities, and supports managers and business partners in the use of non-staff personnel.

The Staffing Service (SS) offers expertise in the areas talent acquisition and innovation, testing and examinations, in addition to operational workforce planning and Organizational design across UN Secretariat entities. This integrated approach enables the Service to provide cohesive guidance and includes the regular review of staffing requirements against models and benchmarks. This ensures appropriate linkage of the dynamic operational needs of clients with multiple staffing programmes to anticipate vacancies, required skills and potential candidate requirements while ensuring consistency for client entities. This integrated
approach is designed to enable entities to meet their targets in regards to the provision of an effective and efficient recruitment process with due consideration for various facets including gender and geographic representation as well as troop and police-contributing countries.

The Special Assessments Section (SAS) is responsible for the development and administration of various competitive examinations and tests used for talent selection. It is responsible for the United Nations Secretariat flagship assessment, the Young Professionals Exam.

This position is located in the Special Assessments Section (SAS), Staffing Service (SS), Human Resources Services Division (HRSD), Department of Operational Support (DOS).

The intern will report to the Human Resources Officer in SAS. The internship is for a minimum of three months, with a possibility for extension up to six months, under the supervision of the Chief, SAS. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five
days per week (35 hours). We can consider part time depending on your status.

Responsibilities

This opportunity is designed for an intern to work on different phases of pre-employment assessment at the United Nations. Interns will be assigned to specific projects based on individual backgrounds and preferences.

A variety of projects centered on psychometric test development and administration activities are currently on-going. Depending on the assignment, project tasks may include the following:

• Provide support in the administration of various examinations managed by the Special Assessments Section, including Language Proficiency Examinations, the Young Professionals Programme and the Global General Service Test;
• Schedule and coordinate test administration, including in-person or internet-based;
• Conduct item writing and review; • Compile and analyse examinations-related quantitative
data;
• Manage large sets of data (e.g., item bank); • Administer and analyse surveys;
• Draft communication for informative purposes for candidates, hiring departments, Member
States;
• Engage with a wide variety of UN managers to make sure their needs are met during the
testing process;
• Support process improvement projects (e.g., test content, test format, communication plan);
• Support outreach and communication activities in social media, and
• Other administrative tasks and projects as needed.

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.

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, the following conditions must be met:
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); or
(b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree
programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
Applicants must also:
– Be computer literate in standard software applications, especially MS Excel;
– Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal
commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
– 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.
– Preference will be given to applicants with an educational background in
Industrial/Organizational/Occupational Psychology, Human Resources and Quantitative
Methods.

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 an additional official UN language is an asset. 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 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. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.

The internship will be remote or in-person. The intern must have relevant equipment to access all UN tools and software remotely. Access and a UN email address will be provided.

TO APPLY: A completed online application, including a cover note and personal history profile (PHP) is required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The cover note must include:

• Title of degree that the applicant is currently pursuing or completed. • Graduation date (when applicant graduated or will be graduating from the programme);
• The IT skills and programmes that the applicant is proficient in;
• An explanation as to why the applicant is a suitable candidate for this specific position;
• An explanation of the applicant’s interest in the United Nations Internship Programme; and
• The applicant’s availability time frame for the internship. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences (if any), IT skills and three references. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful applicants 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.