Org. Setting and Reporting

The Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch (SCSOB) is opening a position for an unpaid internship for a period of six months to support the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2255 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities, and the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011).

SCSOB is a part of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). It supports Security Council subsidiary bodies, including sanctions committees, the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1540 Committee, as well as the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. The Branch also assists sanctions monitoring groups, teams and panels, providing them with logistical support and substantive guidance.

This internship is available for a period of up to six months based on the needs and requirements of the office. The internship does not carry any payment or retribution expectation. Interns usually work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a Political Affairs Officer in the office to which they are assigned.

Applications must be submitted online through the link on this page. A completed Personal History Profile (PHP), including Cover Note, is required.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for further assessment will be contacted.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of a Political Affairs Officer, the Political Affairs Intern will perform duties including, but not limited to:

• Gathering, selecting and analysing information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press;
• Performing analytical research on, inter-alia, UN sanctions implementation and counter- terrorism issues;
• Selecting, classifying and recording information in databases and spreadsheet;
• Assisting in the preparation of official UN documentation, including reports and official correspondence;
• Assisting in the organization of UN conferences and meetings, including preparing background notes / talking points and summarizing meeting proceedings;
• Undertaking other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to research and compile background materials, and draft and edit documents to high standards. Ability to prioritize and manage time and resources efficiently and effectively. Familiarity in the use of various electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to serve as note-taker at meetings and produce summary reports. Use of tact in and ability to handle confidential information on sensitive political issues with due discretion. Awareness of the work of the United Nations including the Security Council and interest in counter-terrorism, in particular the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, and the Taliban.

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.

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 this internship position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or French is desirable.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

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 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. 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.

In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible.
A completed online application is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Motivational Statement must also include:
• Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
• Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated 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, 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.

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.