Posting Title: INTERN – POLITICAL AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN – POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Department/Office: Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Posting Period: 25 January 2023 – 24 April 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-OVRA-200506-J-New York (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThe internship is for an initial period of three months, with an opportunity for extension up to a total period of six months. This internship opportunity is designed to be full-time and in person. Upon the intern’s request the internship may also be offered remotely or in part-time. This position is located in the Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate (OVRA).
The OVRA was created as part of the four-pronged strategy set out in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on special measures on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse: a new approach (A/71/818). Its mandate is directed to ensuring that the rights and dignity of victims are at the forefront of all elements of the United Nations system-wide response to sexual exploitation and abuse alleged to be perpetrated by United Nations uniformed or civilian personnel and non-United Nations troops serving under a Security Council mandate. The intern will support the work of the Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate and work under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer.
Responsibilities
Within the delegated authority, the Political Affairs intern will perform the following duties:
- Conduct research and analysis on matters of concern to the work of the VRA.
- Prepare ad hoc short policy papers on topics related to the VRA’s mandate.
- Draft or contribute to the drafting of notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other materials in the area of responsibility.
- Attend and take notes of the proceedings of meetings and conferences.
- Provide support for meetings of the Senior Victims’ Rights Officers and Victims’ Rights Focal Points.
- Assist in communication and public information activities and outreach.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
CompetenciesCommunication: -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 – 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.
Planning and Organizing: 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 – Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary – Uses time efficiently.
EducationTo qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (1) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
(2) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
Be computer literate in standard software applications;
Applicants should be able to demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
In addition, candidates should 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 ExperienceNo 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. For the
position advertised, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another official United
Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentPotential candidates will be contacted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.
Special NoticeA completed 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 from your current program
- List of IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
- Explain why you are the best candidate
- Explain your interest in the UN Internship Programme in your Personal History Profile, be
sure, to include all past work experiences (if any), skills, and three references.
- Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be
contacted.
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. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.
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. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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.
No FeeTHE 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.