Org. Setting and Reporting

The Internship is in the Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery (TST), which is part of the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Programme was established to educate about the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, its impact on the modern world, including racism towards people of African descent, and the importance of standing up for human rights. The Outreach Programme continues to build a network of partnerships with civil society, governments, educators and organizations involved in teaching the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. Through these partnerships, the Programme has developed a range of educational resources including films and exhibits, for use at United Nations Headquarters and in the field.

The internship is to be performed remotely, five days a week (35 hours) under the supervision of a UN staff member to which they are assigned.

The internship is for a minimum period of four months with an opportunity for extension up to six months, depending on the needs of the Section and availability of the candidate, with substantial preference being given to candidates who are able to commit to the maximum six-month period.

The internship is unpaid, full-time and available for up to two candidates.

Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Public Information Officer, the intern will assist the TST team with its daily tasks.

The selected intern may perform some of the following functions:
– Conducting internet research on thematic issues related to TST’s principles and mandate, including the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its legacies
– Drafting, formatting, editing and posting original web site content/news stories, including graphics, photographs and video
– Drafting social media content for TST Facebook and Twitter accounts
– Assisting with planning and organization of lectures and events, including researching speakers, preparing invitations and promotional material
– Maintaining TST databases
– Providing general office support (processing, drafting and finalizing correspondence and other communications; setting up and maintaining files/records, organizing meetings etc.)

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, the following conditions must be met:

– 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 in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations or related field (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above);
– Be computer literate in standard software applications;
– 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;
– Skills and experience in writing, social media and multimedia production are strongly desired.

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 working languages of the UN Secretariat. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History 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)
– Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
– Demonstrate why you are the best candidate for an internship in the Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery
– Describe your interest in writing for social media platforms and websites
– Explain your interest in multimedia, especially video production

In your 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.

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.