Org. Setting and Reporting

The internship is located in the Protocol and Liaison Service (PLS), Office of the Under-
Secretary-General, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, New
York.

Among other responsibilities, PLS provides protocol coverage to meetings and events involving the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, as well as visits to the United Nations by high-level dignitaries.

PLS also interfaces with Permanent Missions of Member States, Observer Offices to the United Nations as well as with the liaison offices of the specialized agencies and related organizations stationed in New York.

In addition, PLS coordinates ceremonies such as presentation of credentials to the Secretary-General by newly appointed Permanent Representatives, flag-raising and wreath-laying, and other special events. To that effect, PLS applies an orderly, uniform set of rules and governing codes of behaviour in these diplomatic forums, meetings, and ceremonies.

In this context, interns work directly with the Chief of Protocol or/and the Protocol Officer assigned.

This assignment will be offered on a full-time basis of 35 hours per week, for an initial period
of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a total combined period of six (6)
months.

This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through
which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United
Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. Applicants should have a
demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to
the ideals of the Charter, and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with
individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs – which includes willingness to
understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Responsibilities

The intern shall undertake the following duties in support of the Protocol and Liaison Service,
which may include, but are not limited to:
• Assisting in developing, drafting and preparing documents, briefings, and informational materials, including interactive presentations;
• Researching, analyzing and compiling information relevant to the assigned projects;
• Entering and classifying data and organizing documents, materials and resources relevant to
the assigned tasks;
• Assisting with logistical preparations and responsibilities for various special events;
• Compiling statistics;
• Other duties as required
The expected deliverables of this internship include but are not limited to: keeping the Service
Standard Operating Procedures guide up-to-date based on the current procedures in place;
assisting in workshops for Permanent Mission personnel;
maintaining the PLS website; providing support during special events; assisting in front desk
duties, etc.

Competencies

Professionalism:
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration.
• Ability to work under stress.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence; is
conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving
results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in
stressful situations.
• Interns must 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.

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, one of the
following conditions must be met:
(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 level or equivalent); or
(c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must
commence the internship within a one year period of graduation.
In addition, interested candidates must:
• Have advanced organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as excellent written and
verbal communication skills.
• Display positive attitude and commitment to the mission, willingness to complete a variety
of tasks, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Possess extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office suite to include, but not limited to: Word,
Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Possess strong customer service skills and be comfortable making telephone calls and
having in-person contact with PLS clients.

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, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN
official language is desirable (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

A complete online application (cover note and Personal History Profile) 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?)
• List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
• List of your top three areas of interest
• Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
• Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.
• Dates of availability to undertake an internship.
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 usually received, ONLY successful candidates will be
contacted.
Non-U.S. Citizens/Residents undertaking internships at the United Nations must obtain a
valid G-4 Visa.

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.