Org. Setting and Reporting

This internship position is with the United Nations ESCAP Library, in the Communications and Knowledge Management Section. The internship is for two months with an opportunity for extension upto six months, if required by the Library. The internship is UNPAID and fulltime.
Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the division or office to which they are assigned. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, a remote/virtual internship can be arranged between the Library and an individual intern.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background as well as the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
– cataloguing books, serials and multimedia materials in the Library’s integrated library system (ILS) and institutional repository;
– improving the metadata and records in the digital repository to increase exposure to ESCAP research;
– assisting in the Library’s digitization efforts;
– assisting in collection management activities (shelving, weeding, etc.);
– assisting in reference and circulation services;
– designing and publishing publicity materials on the Library’s e-resources, services and ESCAP publications, including online brochures, streaming video presentations, and curated email updates;
– taking part in the Library’s information and knowledge management tasks and initiatives; and
– performing other related work, as required.

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

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

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).
c) have studied library science or information technology/management is desirable.

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 English (both oral and written) is required for the internship programme. Knowledge of an additional UN ESCAP Working Language (Chinese, French, and Russian) is an asset.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Candidate Profile) is 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 graduating from the programme)
– List of the IT skills and library or digital asset management software and systems that you are proficient in (e.g. Web/intranet content management, SharePoint, MS Teams, communities of practice, ILS, MAMS, DAMS, etc.)
– Explanation of why you are the best candidate for an internship with Library/CKMS (include qualifications/competencies)
– Explanation of your interest in the United Nations internship programme

In your online Candidate 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 candidates will be contacted.

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.

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.

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.