Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission is guided by ECA’s five strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division (GPSPD) is headed by a director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programmes). The Division is responsible for contributing towards achieving inclusive and equitable sustainable human and social development in Africa and promoting and supporting member States in their work to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is divided into three main sections: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Social Policy; and Urbanization and Development. The Division supports member States to design, implement and monitor policies and strategies to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, and accelerate their implementation of global and regional gender-related commitments for the empowerment of women and girls. It also supports member States in the design and implementation of appropriate national and sub-regional policies, programmes, and strategies to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce inequality to achieve inclusive and equitable human and social development. Key areas of emphasis for the Social Policy Section – SPS include social protection, health, migration, demographic transition, youth, and ageing. The SPS undertakes research and analysis to generate the evidence base for policy design; provides technical advisory support to member States in the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies; and promotes policy dialogue, learning and exchange in these areas.

This internship is located in the Social Policy Section (SPS) of the Gender, Poverty and Social Development Policy Division (GPSPD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, and working directly with thematic focal points in SPS, the intern will carry out the following functions:
• Assist with research in support of the preparation of studies, reports, papers, fact sheets and infographics related to the work of the Social Policy Section.
• Identify and compile information, statistics, and databases in the areas of policy priority for the Section’s work including on migration, demographics, health and social protection statistics, youth, climate change and education.
• Assist with organizing and convening meetings, including attending to all relevant preparations and note-taking.
• Participate in team and division meetings to share information and assist colleagues in providing updates on implementation of deliverables and for planning exercises.
• Assist team members in reporting processes in line with section, division and wider ECA reporting procedures.
• Perform other duties as might be assigned by the SPS responsible officer.

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

Planning & 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

Education

To qualify for an internship under the United Nations Internship Programme, 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;

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 Programme fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

In your online Administrative Profile (AP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills and three references.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Administrative 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 the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
– List your top three areas of interest.
– Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
– Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

The intern is expected to:
– Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal
commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter; and
– Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural
backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of
differing opinions and views.
– Be computer literate in standard software applications;

VISAS FOR INTERNS:
All interns assigned to a UN Organization, including Funds and Programmes, at an Ethiopia-based duty station, who are not Ethiopian nationals will be required to obtain a business visas or a visa upon arrival authorization letter from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) prior to travelling to the Ethiopia. Prospective interns who are already in the Ethiopia in another non-immigrant status may need to apply for a change of status prior to joining the United Nations for an internship. It should be emphasized that prospective interns are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate valid visa and employment authorization allowing them to undertake the internship.

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.