United States of America: Internship - Humanitarian Research (New or Emerging Technological Topics)

Org. 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.

The Information Management (IM) function, is responsible for both defining and implementing OCHA's information and technology strategy while introducing more effective ways of developing and delivering digital information and technology services that serve OCHA staff and the larger humanitarian sector. The Digital Services team has been recently established to focus on high priority projects that bring together a variety of IM’s existing sections/projects as well as other OCHA platforms. The teams within IM are responsible for a range of matters including humanitarian data (HDX), response-based websites (ReliefWeb & HumanitarianResponse.info) and applications (Digital Situation Report & Humanitarian.ID), technical infrastructure (email, document management, connectivity, etc), and both support to and capacity development of field-based information management officers.

The internship is for three months with an opportunity for extension, pending on the needs of the department.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in OCHA's Digital Services Section.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, duties may include but are not limited to lending support to projects and/or activities within the branch/Division of assignment. The intern DOES NOT need to have a technology background, but rather a strong research background combined with a general interest in technology. In particular, the intern may:

• Undertake research at the interaction of (new or emerging) technology and humanitarian affairs in topics such as blockchain, big data, and artificial intelligence. The aim would be to identify how they are already or potentially could affect humanitarian response.

• Draft reports and/or guidelines to help articulate research findings and guide other humanitarians to better understand and possibly adopt the new technology, process or approach.

• Conduct and draft research aimed at improving the integration of digital humanitarians and remote information management into humanitarian response.Competencies

Core 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

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 appropriate tasks
• Shows willingness to learn new technology

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, must 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 Business Administration (General, Management, or Computer Science), International Relations, Policy Development, Management (General, Information Systems), Information Technology (Information Management, Information Systems, or Information Architecture, Information Systems) or a related field.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme; but applicants should:

• Be computer literate in standard software applications;
• 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 includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Any academic and/ or practical experience in establishing, fostering and coordinating a diverse group of actors is desirable. Research experience and published work in any of the above or related areas is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=108597