Innovation & Programme Management Intern (Nov 2024)

Duties and Responsibilities

The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months and up to a period of six (6) months. This internship is unpaid in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement from (New York, USA). This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote.

The Digital Enablement Team (DET) is tasked with driving the implementation of the Strategy for Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping (DTS), which envisages technology as a transformative enabler to directly enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers and improves mandate implementation. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) provides political and executive direction to UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troop and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council mandates. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and nongovernmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPO also provides guidance and support on military, police, rule of law, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions.

This role is located in the Digital Enablement Team (DET) for UN Peacekeeping in the Office for Coordination and Shared Services (OCSS) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Department of Peace Operations Shared Structure (DPPA-DPO-SS). The Intern's duties may include:

• Participating in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing innovation projects.
• Undertaking survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Preparing various written outputs on innovation, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Providing substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.

Qualifications/special skills

We are open to a broad range of educational backgrounds. An academic background in Strategy, Innovation, IT, Engineering, Project Management, or Public Administration is beneficial. Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent); or
3. Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2) above.

We also ask that applicants:

1. Be computer literate in standard software applications;
2. Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
3. 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.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence, mastery of subject matter and good analytical skills, is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• 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; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• 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. No 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.

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 UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems cannot be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System cannot be engaged as an intern.

In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible. A complete online application is required. reviewed. The Motivational Statement must also include:

• Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
• Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?)
• 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.

Intern Specific text

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. 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.