Org. Setting and Reporting
The duration of an ESCWA internship is normally two months on a full time basis and may be extended for a maximum period of six months. It is awarded on the recommendation of the Director of the respective Division. Interns are not paid and are responsible for all expenses related to the internship. ESCWA accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
This internship is located within the Social Development Division (SDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). SDD comprises three sections including Population and Social Development Section (PSDS), Participation and Social Justice Section (PSJS) and Inclusive Social Development Section (ISDS). The intern reports directly to the Chief of the Section he/she will be working with, under the overall supervision of the Director of SDD.
Responsibilities
The intern will undertake the following assignments during the period of his/her internship:
1. Contribute to drafting a substantive paper on a particular issue within the research focus of the section. This includes reviewing existing literature; assisting in crystallizing research questions; conducting desk research on the topic; assisting in identifying potential partners and liaise with them; and summarize the findings;
2. Assist in preparation and reviewing of written outputs e.g. background papers, technical papers, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, published by ESCWA;
3. Assist in the organization of expert group meetings, conferences or workshops related to the work programme of the section he/she will be working with;
4. Perform other duties as requested.
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.
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.
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:
1.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 (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;
2.Be computer literate in standard software applications;
3.Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
4.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.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Arabic and French is desirable.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
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:
•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;
•List the time frame of your availability;
•Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship;
•Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.
In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.