Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DEPT) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The internship is UNPAID. Interns may work part-time [2-3 days per work, at least 20 hours] or full-time [five days per week, 35 hours] under the supervision of a staff member in the
department or office to which they are assigned, depending on their team and workstream. This internship may be carried out remotely, in-person, or hybrid.

The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices,
and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners.

The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of the Policy Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations. It provides support to both DPO and DOS. The core function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, and thematic policy support in
selected areas. PBPS also leads several reform process.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of this internship will encompass many aspects of the Peacekeeping Policy
and Best Practices Service’s work. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Assistance in conducting research on issues related to Peacekeeping Policy and Best
Practices, areas of focus include: Partnerships, Civil Affairs, Protection of Civilians, Child
Protection, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, Addressing Mis/Disinformation in Peacekeeping Settings, Strategic Force Generation Cell, Knowledge Management and Guidance and Policy and Planning.
• Assistance in statistical analysis or data extractions; Assistance in the review of various policies, papers and other documents/materials as they relate the to the teams within the Service;
• Assistance in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles and other materials related to the work of the various teams within the Service;
• Attending and taking notes at conferences and meetings;
• Assistance in servicing conferences and meetings;
• Assist in maintaining/managing databases;
• Assist in preparing newsletters;
• Assist with project management development;
• Assist with developing a pilot programme for language training;
• Assistance in editing, content creation for (digital) learning products or translation;
• Assist in data collection, data analysis and information management;
• Assistance in the development of strategic communications, presentations and visualizations;

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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

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. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. 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, the following conditions must be met:
1.Applicants at the time of application 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 level or equivalent)
2.The field of study must be closely related to the type of internship you are applying for.
3. Proficient in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar; Be proficient in standard office automation equipment, scanner, printer, etc.).
4.Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter.
5.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. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This announcement is for the summer/fall 2023 Internship Session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The internship is for a period of three months with the opportunity of extension, depending the needs of PBPS/DPET. The internship is UNPAID; full-time internship (35 hours per week) or part-time internship (20 working per week). The internship can be undertaken remotely outside the duty station or in a hybrid working arrangement from the UN Premise at the New York City, USA, duty station.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. 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. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country’s non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.

Applicants who are children or siblings (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of a staff member and sons or daughters-in-law may not be engaged as an intern.

We recruit interns throughout the year for assignments of at least 2 months. In your cover note, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must also include:
• Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
• Graduation Date (When will you be/are graduating/have graduated from the programme?)
• List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
• List your top three areas of interest and please explain how your interests, skills and knowledge match either the strategic support or the analytics track.
• 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, we can ONLY contact successful candidates.

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.