Org. Setting and Reporting

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development in Geneva. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional level and above carrying international recruitment status in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship. UN internships are unpaid and full-time, i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week, eight hours per day.

This internship position is offered under the remote modality of teleworking. To work remotely the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:
• Installed in his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.
• Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.
• Be able to use the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN/related resources.

This position is in the Commodity Research and Analysis Section, of the Commodities Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD. The duration is an initial period of two months with the possibility of extension up to four months. The starting date will be January 2024.

Responsibilities

The Commodity Research and Analysis Section carries out research activities aimed at supporting commodity dependent developing countries in fostering structural transformation through economic diversification, thus helping them to make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 1,2,7,8,9, 12 and 13. The focus of this internship will be to assist the section in its work to undertake research and analysis for the “Commodities and Development Report”.
Tasks during the internship may include, but are not limited to:
• Assist in compiling information and data on issues relating to production of and trade in commodities, including research on the interactions between commodities and economic diversification; and identify their implications for development.
• Assist in quantitative and qualitative background research for the report.
• Prepare short drafts on specific issues as indicated by the supervisors, including development of charts, graphs.
• Provide substantive support to the preparation of relevant documents (e.g. presentations, project documents and management of projects) as required by the above-mentioned activities.
• Assist with proof reading and editing publications.
• Support other activities of the Section as required.
Training and mentoring will be provided all along the internship by the supervisor (s) and team of colleagues in the Office. Carrying out his/her tasks under the guidance and supervision of a supervisor, duties include:
· Participation in online meetings with the supervisor and team. · Assist in compiling information and data on trade and commodities related to commodity dependency.
· Assist in quantitative and qualitative background research.
· Prepare short drafts on specific issues as indicated by the supervisors, including development of charts, graphs.
· Provide substantive support to the preparation of relevant documents (e.g. presentations, project documents and management of projects) as required by the above-mentioned activities.
· Assist with proof reading and editing publications.
· Support other activities of the Section as required.

More generally, interns shall:
1. Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 4 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2000/9 & ST/AI/2005/11.

2. Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.

3. Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN;

4. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN.

5. Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN.

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

The United Nations internship programme is intended to expose students or recent graduates to the United Nations in order to enhance their educational experience and to help them to gain experience in the work of the Organization. Therefore, applicants to the programme must at the time of application 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).

Moreover, interns should:

• Should be computer literate in standard software applications;
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
• Have a 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.

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

Fluency in spoken and written in English is required for this internship. Knowledge of French language is an asset.

Assessment

Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profile (PHP). Individual interviews may be conducted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration. A complete 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);
– List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in;
– Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position.

In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, if any; IT skills and three (3) references

Due to high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies and/or
skills and expertise. Applicants are asked to please indicate preferences which best match
his/her suitability and do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both
the intern and the receiving UN department.

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an
internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family
relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the
same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the
staff member. For purposes of this instruction, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member;
(ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a
child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling”
includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations and are responsible for all
internship-related expenses that they can incur. All costs of travel and accommodation,
including living expenses, must be covered by the intern. The United Nations accepts no responsibility
for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon
award of an internship, interns are responsible for securing and acceptance of these conditions
of service.

There should be no expectation of employment by the United Nations upon completion of the
internship. Interns may not apply for or be appointed to any position in the Professional or
above categories and for positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category
during the period of their internship and for the six months immediately following the
expiration date thereof.

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.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.