Finance Intern (Sep 2024)

Your role

This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate. The desired start date is Fall/Winter 2024. Flexible (Hybrid, all remote or in-person). This internship is UNPAID in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from (New York, USA). 

Duties and responsibilities:

Field Operations Finance Division is seeking highly motivated individuals who wish to gain professional experience in financial management, financial procedures and practices, and analysis of budgeting, accounting, and financial requirements within an international organization to supplement their studies for a full-time, unpaid internship position.

The internship will be undertaken in a hybrid working arrangement at the UN Premises, New York, United States. The initial period is for 3 months with the possibility for extension up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Research and compile historical information relating to mandates, historical expenditure patterns, adopted strategies, and economic and social context as they relate to budget submissions.
• Ensure that resource requirements are in line with the applicable rules and regulations and with the mandates of the Security Council / General Assembly.
• Participate in budget preparation, including the consolidation and presentation of programmatic and financial information.
• Monitor the implementation of UN budgets.
• Identify variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Generate financial information using databases and spreadsheets.

About you

Qualifications/Special Skills:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, or a related area.
• Be computer literate in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel; be proficient in standard office automation equipment (scanner, printer, etc.).
• Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations 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.
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• Applicants must be a student in the final university degree (Bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
• Experience in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
• Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat

Intern-specific text:

The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. 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

This internship is unpaid in person and full-time.

If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Holidays and leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement pension
• Tax exemption
• Allowances
• Contribute to impactful global initiatives and work towards promoting peace, security, and human rights worldwide.

Training & development

During this internship, you will develop skills in researching and analyzing historical data for budget submissions, ensuring compliance with UN mandates and regulations, and participating in budget preparation and monitoring. You will also gain experience in identifying budget variances and generating financial reports using databases and spreadsheets, enhancing your financial management and analytical capabilities.

Career progression

At the United Nations, interns gain practical experience by engaging in meaningful work across various fields and contributing to the UN's mission of promoting peace, sustainable development, and human rights. With a strong focus on mentorship and professional development, the program equips interns with the skills and knowledge necessary for future career advancement within the organization and other organizations.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx
• youtube.com/unitednations
• careers.un.org/payandbenefits