Event Support and Coordination Intern (Start ASAP)

Your Role

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) leads the UN Country Team in China, including all entities present. The purpose of the Resident Coordinator System is:

• To bring together different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level, helping the UN to be a more relevant and reliable partner for governments, notable by establishing and strengthening these partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
• The UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) supports the roles and functions of the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team. 
• The RCO provides inter-agency coordination support to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and its various inter-agency working mechanisms, including theme groups. 

Key functions of the RCO include:  

• Strategic analysis, planning, and positioning of the Country Team
• Preparation and monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)
• Support to joint UN programming and operations management
• Policy guidance
• Joint advocacy and communications to enhance UN coherence
• Improve the overall program impact of the UN System in China 

Duties may include, but are not limited to:  

Event Support: 

• Provide logistical and administrative support to the organization of events, including but not limited to the commemoration of international days, meetings, and seminars.
• Coordinate the distribution of event invitations, greeting cards, branding, and information materials.
• Maintain and strengthen the database of partners and invitation lists.
• Provide logistical support to the organization of UNCT/joint UN meetings, including booking of rooms/venues, checking availability, printing background material, managing RSVPs, etc.    

Administrative Coordination Support:

• Coordinate office-wide logistic support, which includes maintaining the calendar, managing contacts with high-ranking visitors, preparing and drafting documentation, and arranging appointments and meetings for the RCO.
• Manage the office shared mail account, including responding to inquiries and directing requests to appropriate staff members.
• Manage the joint UN calendar, including regular updates and timely circulation to the RCO and other agencies.
• Support the core staff in the procurement, subscription, and payment of different services.
• Support the collection of programmatic and operational information from the UN agencies present in China as required.

About You

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent)
• 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 UN Charter
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. 
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. 

Note:

• 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.

Benefits

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.

As an intern, you will:

• Enhance your educational experience through practical work assignments
• Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Organization’s goals, principles, and activities
• Work in an international environment, and network with international civil servants, career professionals, and senior management
• Provide the UN with assistance in your area of expertise

Training & Development

This internship is for 6 months and requires working 5 days a week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the division or office to which they are assigned. An internship at the UN could be the ideal start if you are considering a career in the Organization. It will give you exposure to high-profile conferences, political decision-making, or work on the ground, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the projects and mandates of the United Nations. You can apply for any internship around the world, regardless of nationality.

Career Progression

Your internship will not automatically lead to a job with the UN, but with the experience you have acquired during your time as an intern, you might be interested in applying for General Service or consultancy positions.

If you want to apply to positions at the Professional and Higher or Field Service levels, the organization asks you to let at least six months pass after the end of your internship before you submit your application, and ensure that you fulfill not only the educational but also the work experience requirements that are outlined in each job opening.

How to Apply

United Nations hiring process:

• Submission of job application
• Evaluation of application
• Assessment exercise
• Competency-based interview
• Selection notification and roster
• Reference checks

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/job-level?language=en
• careers.un.org/how-to-apply?language=en
• youtube.com/@UN_Careers