Org. Setting and Reporting

The mission of the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) is to help Secretariat entities, including peace operations, departments and offices, succeed by providing rapid, effective, efficient and responsible support services. Its core services include supply chain management, operational human resources management, health-care management, support for uniformed capabilities, support to entities in special situations, information and communications technology (ICT) support, and UNHQ facility management.

The Office of the Under-Secretary-General of Operational Support provides direct executive and management support to DOS leadership. Our work covers DOS strategy, performance, and analytics; as well as communication, coordination, and external relations.

The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work four to five days per week (20 to 35 hours), with supervision and support of a staff member. Except for the summer periods, we also consider part-time internships.

Responsibilities

The interns work as full members of our team, pursue project assignments that are designed to make a significant impact on our work, and have opportunities to learn about the United Nations overall. We offer internships in two areas that will contribute to our current main project.

Area 1: Analytics and Business Intelligence
• Help analyze the use of non-staff capacities across functional areas and entities;
• Support the analytics teams in preparing data, data models and surveys;
• Develop dashboards and visualizations for senior managers, and provide user support;
• Support data mining, optimization, metrics development, and predictive analysis

This track focuses on working with data and data models, as well as data visualization.

Area 2: Strategic and Project Support
• Help analyze information gathered on the use of non-staff capacities across functional areas and entities;
• Support work on priority work areas such as process mapping and costing including focus groups, workshops, online consultations;
• Support design, drafting and implementation of consultations and drafting of recommendations

This track resembles consulting-like work, and draws on conceptualization, PowerPoint, and project management skills.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence, mastery of subject matter and good analytical skills, 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. The following knowledge, skills or abilities are sought specific to the two areas:

Area 1: Analytics and Business Intelligence
• Keen interest in analytics, information management, visualization, and performance optimization
• Strong knowledge of data management techniques, quantitative analysis and methods
• Knowledge of key business tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPivot, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of analytics tools (e.g. Microsoft SQL, PowerBI, SAP Business Objects, Tableau, Qlik)
• Experience in management analytics, visualization or survey design can be an advantage

Area 2: Strategic and Project Support
• Keen interest in strategy development and management
• Interest or experience in performance management, process redesign, innovation
• Knowledge of project management techniques and approaches
• Strong knowledge of key business tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with working in consulting-like projects can be an advantage

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.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

We are open to a broad range of educational backgrounds. Typically, our interns are pursuing studies in the following areas:

Area 1: Analytics and Business Intelligence
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Computer Science, Economics, Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Visualization or Analytics

Area 2: Strategic and Project Support
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Business Administration, Management, Strategy Development, Project Management, Operations Research, or Public Administration

Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1) Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent); or
2) Be computer literate in standard software applications, especially MS Excel;
3) Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
4) 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.

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 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 for further consideration.

Special Notice

We recruit interns throughout the year for assignments of at least 3 months. In your cover note, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible:

• Fall (September to December)
• Winter/Spring (January to April)
• Summer (May to August)

A completed online application 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)
• 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. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations.

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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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 non-immigrant 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.

Interns will need to provide all necessary hardware (computer), software and internet connection to perform the internship remotely.

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.