Work Location

Geneva. This internship is designed to be full-time and preferably in-person. The modality can be handled flexibly on request of the successful candidate and hybrid option might be also available.

Expected duration

2-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting and Reporting This internship is in the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), Geneva Branch. ODA provides substantive and organizational support to various United Nations bodies in the area of disarmament. The Office is mandated to provide objective, impartial and up-to-date information on disarmament issues and activities to Member States, States parties to multilateral agreements, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, departments and agencies of the United Nations system, research and educational institutions, civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, the media and the general public. Successful candidates could work in one or more of several different areas which fall under the Branch’s activities: the Conference on Disarmament, the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention (APLC), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). In addition, the Branch supports a large number of disarmament-related conferences. For more information visit: disarmament.unoda.org. The internship, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours). The Political Affairs intern works under the overall guidance of the internship coordinator and direct supervision of a staff member in the Branch to which they are assigned. The initial duration of the internship is for at least two months and can be extended up to six months, pending on the needs of the Branch. Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned tasks, and the internship period. The intern shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to: The intern will:  Provide assistance in drafting and preparing official documents, press releases and statements;  Provide assistance in maintaining records and datasets;  Attend and summarize conferences and meetings;  Conduct research, including document, legal and internet searches;  Provide assistance during conferences;  Work on web presentations and social media presence;  Fulfill other duties as required Competencies If accepted, interns will be expected to embody the following competencies: 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; Planning and Organization:  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. 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.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:  Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or,  Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to this Job Opening. In addition, interested candidates must:  Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);  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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

Work Experience Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY candidates who have been short-listed (identified as potential candidates) will be contacted. Special Notice Interns may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. The intern must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern. 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. A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include:  Name of university and title of degree you are currently pursuing;  Graduation Date (when will you be graduating from the programme);  Date and duration of availability;  IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in;  An explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme; Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. There should be no expectation of employment by the United Nations upon completion of the internship. Interns are responsible for all internship-related expenses that they incur. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon award of an internship, interns are responsible for securing adequate insurance coverage and are required to sign and return a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of these conditions of service. A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child or the spouse of a parent of a staff member (that is, also half- and step-sibling). Candidates of certain nationalities must obtain a visa authorizing their stay in Switzerland before they depart for Geneva to begin their internship. While this is the overall responsibility of the selected candidate, we will provide information and supporting documents in this regard.

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.