Intergovernmental Affairs and Data Science Internship (Start ASAP)

Your Role

The Intergovernmental Affairs intern will support the General Assembly Affairs Branch of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division, which serves as the technical secretariat for a number of intergovernmental bodies at the United Nations Headquarters. In this context, the division seeks motivated interns to support its work.

Responsibilities

Interns report to full-time professional staff and will focus on the following work areas, as assigned:

Area 1: Intergovernmental Research & Data Science

• Conduct research on the intergovernmental procedure and practice of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and their subsidiary bodies
• Support the tracking of intergovernmental activity in assigned bodies and maintain the related data sets
• Support the development of the procedure data model.

Area 2: Intergovernmental services

• Assist in the preparation of procedural scripts for meetings, and undertake other preparatory tasks
• Attend and summarize discussions held in meetings
• Assist with logistics during meetings, including interactive presentations and assisting with the list of speakers
• Contribute to the preparation of talking points, and other papers and briefing materials.

Area 3: Project management

• Support the day-to-day management of internal databases, including user acceptance, quality assurance, and change management processes
• Support issue management-related processes and prepare related correspondence
• Assist in the formulation of project-related strategies and policies
• Prepare meetings with different internal stakeholders.

About You

Qualifications/special skills:

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), or (c) have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) (Official written proof from the university supporting one of the above possibilities must be attached to the inspira application)
• 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 the willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced course work, or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
• Interest in the work of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council is desirable. Please explain your interest.
• Familiarity with data management, data modeling, data mining, or statistical analysis is desirable. Please explain your experience, training, education, coursework, or skills in this regard.
• Familiarity with law, jurisprudence, procedure, philosophy, or political science is desirable. Please explain your experience, training, education, coursework, or skills in this regard.

Competencies

• Professionalism:
  • Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration.
  • Ability to work under stress.
  • Shows pride in work and achievements
  • Demonstrates professional competence
  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
  • Remains calm in stressful situations.
  • Interns must 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.
• 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.
• Planning and Organizing:
  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments
  • Adjusts priorities where necessary
  • 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.
  • Understand the 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.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

This internship is unpaid, full-time. If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Tax exemption
• Allowances and benefits
• Holidays and leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement pension

Training & Development

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.

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
• Participate in tasks such as drafting documents, analysis of data, research, organization of conferences or events, work on media campaigns and outreach, and much more.

Career Progress

UN 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, they ask 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.

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/payandbenefits
• careers.un.org/job-level
• youtu.be/hBYLabT-p94?si=xat5oAXh8EnodBjx