Intern - Track A: Human Resources & Organizational Development, Track B: Management & Strategic Planning [Temporary]
The United Nations Secretariat is seeking motivated interns to support the work of the Business Management Branch of the UN Development Coordination Office. DCO is the secretariat to the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and manages the Resident Coordinator (RC) system. Resident Coordinators are the highest-ranking representatives of the United Nations development system (UNDS) at the country level and are the designated representative of - and report to - the UN Secretary-General. RC's have responsibility to lead United Nations Country Teams, ensure system-wide accountability on the ground for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, and coordinate UN support to countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
DCO BMB Team is looking for creative and dynamic interns to support the team with coordination, administration, communications and data analysis/ visualization. Interns work full time, five days per week (35 hours) and report to a full-time professional staff in our team. Internships with DCO New York can be fully remote or in-person.
The internship is for a minimum period of three months, with possibility of extension up to six months. In their cover note, interested candidates should indicate their availability.
The United Nations Secretariat internship programme does not provide remuneration. All internship related expenses - travel, insurance, living, etc. - are the responsibility of the intern, sponsoring Government or institution; The UN accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death during the internship; Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any fixed-term staff post in UN Secretariat during the period of the internship or for six months immediately following the end of the internship.
The intern must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan. Interns are not staff members and
may not represent the UN in any official capacity. Due to the high volume of applications received, we can only contact successful candidates.
Applicants from the Global South are encouraged to apply.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation can be requested.
Track A: Human Resources & Organizational Development
- Help to collate information, design and implement HR initiatives for staff in the Resident Coordinator's Offices, such as in recruitment, learning, career development, diversity & inclusion
- Support HR analytics on issues related to staffing, including metrics development and forecasting/ analysis of trends
- Support the team to design and frame dashboards and visualizations for internal and external use
- Support the team with survey initiatives, e.g. learning needs analysis, staff engagement surveys or similar
- Support the team with administrative tasks related to staff recruitment, onboarding, learning, career development, diversity & inclusion
- Support the preparation and facilitation of meetings, webinars, focus groups and other virtual events
- Support the preparation of slide decks, infographics, strategy papers, reports and official correspondences
- Help ensure consistent visual concept, language and accessibility features are used
- Support the design and regular update of the corporate knowledge platforms and communication channels
Track B: Management & Strategic Planning
- Support the team with collating information and research on UN policies, reforms and strategic papers
- Support the team with survey initiatives, data analysis and visualization/ presentation
- Support the preparation and facilitation of meetings, webinars, focus groups and other (virtua)l events
- Support the preparation of slide decks, infographics, strategy papers, reports and official correspondences
- Help ensure consistent visual concept, language and accessibility features are used
- Support the design and regular update of the corporate knowledge platforms and communication channels
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box." Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
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.
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.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
AssessmentPotential candidates may be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special NoticeWe recruit interns throughout the year for assignments of at least 3 months. In your cover note, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must also include:
- Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
- Graduation Date (When will you be/are graduating/have graduated from the programme?)
- List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
- List your top three areas of interest and please explain how your interests, skills and knowledge match either the strategic support or the analytics track.
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.
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.
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.