Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 19 Feb 2016
SPECIAL NOTICE: Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies and/or skills and expertise. Applicants are asked to please indicate preferences which best match her/his suitability and do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both the intern and the receiving UN department.
A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this advertisement, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.
In line with the United Nations internship programme, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) internship provides a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations through assignment to offices within the Secretariat. The Programme endeavours to attract qualified students, offering them an opportunity to enrich their educational experience through exposure to the work of the Organization. Equally, it provides the Office with the assistance of students specialized in various professional fields. The internship is an unpaid and full-time opportunity and the intern must adhere to the established official weekly working hours of the duty station where it is based with one hour for a lunch break. For more information on the Programme, please visit: https://www.unog.ch.
ORGANISATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING: The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the UN Secretariat department responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. This announcement offers multiple opportunities with OCHA for internship assignments that will be based in Geneva, Switzerland. The intern, under the general guidance and supervision of a manager, shall be assigned within one of the following branches/Division: Inter-Agency Standing Committee/Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs Secretariat; Coordination and Response Division; Emergency Services Branch; Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Branch; or Programme Support Branch. This internship is being offered for a minimum period of three (3) months, with a possibility of extension up to a maximum period of six (6) months, throughout the winter season starting January through April 2016.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to lending support to projects and/or activities within the branch/Division of assignment. In particular, the intern assists with the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and other related issues and in various follow-up activities; researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues; assists with the preparation of various written documents, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents etc.; assists with the maintenance of reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, work-shops, etc., and serves as note-taker to such events; maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area and/or country or region concerned and; performs other related tasks requested by supervisor.
In addition to the general responsibilities outlined above, the intern may be given specific tasks related to their assigned branch/division, namely: the Inter-Agency Standing Committee/Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs (IASC/ECHA) Secretariat is responsible for providing technical support and service to the various bodies and meetings of the IASC, as well as for monitoring the implementation of the decisions. In particular, the intern shall support the preparations for the IASC Working Group Meetings, Principals and events, including assisting in the preparatory process for background documents, logistic arrangements and preparation of summary records; supporting the liaison with UN and non-UN humanitarian agencies and other relevant bodies to ensure timely information sharing, including attending meetings of IASC organizations and other relevant events; assisting with monitoring the progress in IASC Subsidiary Bodies - Task Teams and Reference Groups - by drafting notes and identifying gaps, bringing them to the attention of the Secretariat; helping with the development of information management mechanisms within the Secretariat and developing relevant information dissemination tools; helping with the maintenance of the website and promotional material; helping strengthen information management through monitoring of humanitarian developments throughout the world and through careful information analysis; supporting communication on IASC events and concerns by preparing the newsletter (IASC News); serving as primary focal point for the IASC Secretariat for specific topics or policy-related issues covered by Subsidiary Bodies or the Working Group. As OCHA's operational hub, the Coordination and Response Division (CRD) oversees the management of all field offices and provides operational support to Resident Coordinators/Humanitarian Coordinators (RCs/HCs), OCHA country and regional offices and Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs). CRD is also responsible for coordinating all country-level humanitarian strategies and emergency responses, and is the working-level inter-face with affected Member States, partner humanitarian organizations, Secretariat departments and donors on operational issues. In particular, the intern shall support with the creation and/or maintenance of databases for humanitarian field activities by conducting research through relevant websites, OCHA disaster and complex emergency files, situation reports; assisting in contacting external partners in order to update existing contact database; assisting with the preparation of briefing notes on disasters and the activities of the Section; assisting with updating access and security-related information; supporting with copying, compiling records and filing of current emergencies records; assisting in the preparation of meetings, Member States Briefings and Conferences with the High Level Working Groups (HLWG) in Geneva-agenda, background documentation, notes and summary records and; accompanying the Desk Officer to meetings with donors, humanitarian partners and UN agencies.
Located within CRD-Geneva, the Humanitarian Leadership Support Unit (HLSU) works on one of the top issues on the global humanitarian agenda – humanitarian leadership - and it aims to ensure that the humanitarian community has the right leader in the right place at the right time. The Unit interacts on a daily basis with the highest-level UN officials in crisis countries - RCs/HCs - and organises orientation programmes for and accompanies theses officials during their meetings with senior officials in Geneva. In particular, the intern shall participate in the organisation of retreats, workshops and other learning events for RCs/HCs and inter-agency meetings on humanitarian leadership.
The Emergency Services Branch (ESB) supports OCHA and the broader humanitarian community in the response to new or escalating emergencies and disasters. It does this through the rapid deployment of staff and experts, the provision of operations and OCHA logistics support, as well as the compilation and dissemination of operational response guidance. Specifically ESB assists in strengthening national and international disaster response and response preparedness capacities, facilitating initial disaster assessment and coordination through the timely deployment of appropriate staff resources and expertise; supporting effective international response efforts through the provision of civil-military coordination, logistical support, information technology expertise and emergency relief stocks; managing rosters and networks to ensure the availability of humanitarian specialists, environmental experts, and technical modules to support field operations; supporting the coordination of staff learning and development programmes, including the management of specific training cycles; working with partners to ensure appropriate international standards for response are constantly developed and updated, including international urban search and rescue (USAR) activities, civil-military coordination, environmental emergencies response and; forging, maintaining and developing effective networks e.g. United Nation Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP), Surge Capacity resource providers. In particular, the intern shall provide support in connection with OCHA's mandated actions in regard to natural disasters, environmental emergencies and technological accidents. ESB consists of: the Civil-Military Coordination Section (CMCS), Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS), Emergency Preparedness and Environment Section (EPES), Surge Capacity Section (SCS) and the Activation and Coordination Support Unit (ACSU).
The Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Branch (PRMB) coordinates and supports OCHA's institutional and strategic partnerships with three sets of partners: (i) Member States, (ii) regional and inter-governmental bodies, and (iii) the private sector. Working in close cooperation with relevant Branches at headquarters and field offices, PRMB ensures focus and coherence in OCHA's existing and future partnership initiatives and it is the custodian of OCHA's corporate partnership strategies with these three sets of partners. In particular, the intern shall assist in contacting external partners in order to update existing contact database; assisting in the preparation of partnership related meetings in Geneva-agenda, background documentation, notes and summary records; liaising with OCHA staff at headquarters (HQ) and other relevant partners, gathering and disseminating information about partnerships; assisting with the preparation of inputs, ensuring that they are carried out in an efficient and timely manner; assisting in updating PRMB's partnership database, including websites (intranet and/internet) and contact database; accompanying the supervisor to meetings with partners and UN agencies; assisting in the preparation of policy guidance on OCHA's partnerships with member states, inter-governmental and regional organisations and the private sector (partners); supporting OCHA's Regional and Liaison Offices in their partnership work, including strategic prioritization and cross fertilisation of best practices in partnership work; assisting in research and analysis on identified priority partners and; participating in other related assignments. PRMB consists of: Donor Relations Section (DRS), Partnerships Coordination Section (PCS), Private Sector Section (PSS), Resource Mobilization Support Section (RMSS), African Union Liaison Office (AULO), Brussels Liaison Office (BLO) and Gulf Liaison Office (GLO).
The Programme Support Branch (PSB) promotes a more strategic, better coordinated, strongly evidence-based, and highly consistent Humanitarian Programme Cycles (HPC) that produces measurable results and leads to more accountable, effective and targeted delivery of humanitarian assistance to victims of crises; and provides the IASC/ECHA, Country Teams, HCs/RCs and OCHA country and regional offices with practical, field-driven policies, procedures, tools, and capacity building through training and technical support to enable strengthened and managed Humanitarian Programme Cycles (HCPs). In particular, the intern shall assist in the research and development of communication materials and website presence to enhance the visibility of information relating to the humanitarian programme cycle; researching various thematic and political initiatives of relevance to the branch; supporting the development and editing of humanitarian appeals, the tracking and verification of financial data regarding humanitarian appeal; assisting in the organisation of programme cycle training events, humanitarian appeal launches, and other initiatives and; assisting with and conducting research, drafting talking points and background documents on various topics, including country specific situations and in other relevant areas of work of the Branch. PSB consists of: Coordinated Assessment Support Section (CASS), Inter-Cluster Coordination Section (ICCS), Planning and Monitoring Section (PAMS) and Appeal Coordination and Analysis Section (ACAS).
COMPETENCIES - 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. 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.
EDUCATION: To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, much commence the internship within a one year period of graduation from an academic programme.
Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted.
The University degree must be in the area of political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or in a related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Applicants are not required to have professional working experience for participation in the Programme though any academic and/or practical experience in new learning technologies and approaches is desirable. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications; have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations, 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 includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
LANGUAGES - English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
ASSESSMENT METHOD: Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profile (PHP). Individual interviews may be conducted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration. A complete 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 (when will you be graduating from the programme);
• List the IT skills and programmes in which you are proficient;
• Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position.
In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, if any; IT skills and three (3) references. Due to high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
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: 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.
How to apply:
Persons interested in this opportunity may apply for this internship directly at: https://careers.un.org