Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

2 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The purpose of the programme is to enable the intern to enhance their educational skills through practical work assignments in the economic, and social statistics; to expose them to the work of a United Nations regional commission; and to provide ESCWA with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields. Under each substantive area within the Cluster, including Economic Statistics, Demographic and Social Statistics, Environment and Energy Statistics, SDGS, and Gender Statistics and the use of Data Science, GIS in the data collection, analysis and visualization, the Interns will be responsible for the following duties in general for specific projects Duties and Responsibilities: The Data Science Research Intern will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the technical specialist. The intern will perform a set of the following functions: 1- Support the implementation of Cluster 4 Statistics Projects using data science skills. 2- Participate in designing, organizing, and managing the collection, evaluation. analysis, compilation and dissemination of statistical data. 3- Participate in developing, implementing and managing statistical database(s). 4- Participate in technical support for data collection programmes, country practices and other related information. 5- Participate in methodological research as inputs/draft for technical documentation and reports. 6- Participate in the organization of seminars, working groups and expert meetings. 7- Participate in the developing machine-learning tools in statistics and technology projects. 8- Apply advanced Natural Language Processing techniques to build, maintain, and improve on analytics, organize large datasets to get actionable insights from them. 9- Help communicating findings accurately to different stakeholders. 10- Collaborate with private and public organizations to get access to their databases. 11- Outreach to organizations as well as academic institutions that apply data science to policy making. 12- Provide other support and assistance as required. The duration of a United Nations internship is for a minimum of two months on a full-time basis – this may be exceptionally extended for a maximum period of six months.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: 1. Applicants must: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above); 2. Applicants must: (a) be computer literate in standard software applications. (b) have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter; and (c) 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. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Strong programming skills, Knowledge of common data science toolkits, such as Python and other data science related software packages is desirable. Excellent statistical skills: data preparation, processing, modelling, deploying models, data testing and analysis, visualization skills is desirable. Good understanding of machine learning techniques and algorithms is desirable. Excellent ability to write and communicate with accuracy and professionalism is desirable. Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being proactive and taking initiative is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in Arabic and English is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

A completed online application must include, beside the mandatory Personal History Profile, a Cover Note mentioning the following: • Degree Programme (what are you currently studying?). • Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?). • List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • List of your top three areas of interest. • Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explanation of 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. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. This position allows for flexible working arrangements, contingent upon written agreement by the receiving entity. Interns under these arrangements must commit to an equivalent of at least two months full-time work and complete their internship within six months.

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.