INTERN – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN UNITED NATIONS

Org. Setting and Reporting

The duration of an ESCWA internship is normally two months on a full time basis – this may be exceptionally 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 within the Technology for Development Division (TDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The intern reports directly to the Director of TDD.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the internship position encompass all aspects of the work of TDD, namely the Science, Technology and Innovation, Knowledge Societies, Knowledge-based economies, Innovation for Development, ICT Policy and ICT for Development. The intern will be responsible for carrying out:

1. Conducting research on issues relating to a range of topics, such as the Information Society, technology for sustainable development, Innovation for Sustainable Development, Science Technology & Innovation (STI), ICT policies, Internet Governance, Knowledge-based economies and TDD general areas of work;

2. Drafting relevant content for posting on the website of the Organization, as well as its social media channels and performing quality control;

3. Attending and taking notes at expert group meetings and workshops;

4. Attending team meetings;

5. Performs other duties assigned.

Competencies

Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; – listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and response appropriately; – asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; – tailors language, tone style and format to much the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 approporiate tasks; shows willingness to learn a new technology.

Creativity – Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; – offers new and different options to solve problems or meet clients needs; – promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas, takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; – thinks “outside of 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 a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects; – Meets timeline for delivery of product 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 and Arabic is required.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by 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;

•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

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). 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 At-a-Glance on „The Application Process“ and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee