Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

2 - 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting and Reporting This internship is in the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), Geneva Branch. ODA provides substantive and organizational support to various United Nations bodies in the area of disarmament. The Office is mandated to provide objective, impartial and up-to-date information on disarmament issues and activities to Member States, States parties to multilateral agreements, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, departments and agencies of the United Nations system, research and educational institutions, civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public. Successful candidates could work in one or more of several different areas, for which the Branch provides substantive and organizational support as well as liaison services: the Conference on Disarmament, the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention, the Biological Weapons Convention, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (including Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems), the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Group of Governmental Experts on Nuclear Disarmament Verification, the Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats, and the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament. In addition, the Branch supports a large number of disarmament-related conferences. For more information visit: disarmament.unoda.org. The internship, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours). The Political Affairs intern works under the overall guidance of the internship coordinator and direct supervision of a staff member in the Branch to which they are assigned. The initial duration of the internship is for at least two months and can be extended up to six months, pending on the needs of the Branch. Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned tasks, and the internship period. The intern shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to: The intern will:  Provide assistance in drafting and preparing official documents, press releases and statements;  Provide assistance in maintaining records and datasets;  Attend and summarize conferences and meetings;  Conduct research, including document, legal and internet searches;  Provide assistance during conferences;  Work on web presentations and social media presence;  Fulfill other duties as required Competencies If accepted, interns will be expected to embody the following competencies: 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 and Organization:  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. 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.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:  Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or,  Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to this Job Opening. In addition, interested candidates must:  Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);  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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work. experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Teams.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. for this position, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.

Intern - Political Affairs, I (Temporary Job Opening) (Multiple positions)