INTERN - Operational Support (multiple positions) [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mission of the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) is to help Secretariat entities, including peace operations, departments and offices, succeed by providing rapid, effective, efficient and responsible support services. Its core services include supply chain management, operational human resources management, health-care management, support for uniformed capabilities, support to entities in special situations, information and communications technology (ICT) support, and UNHQ facility management.

The Office of the Under-Secretary-General of Operational Support provides direct executive and management support to DOS leadership. Our work covers DOS strategy, performance, and analytics; as well as communication, coordination, and external relations.

Responsibilities

Our interns work as full members of our team, pursue projects that are designed to make a significant difference in DOS, and have opportunities to learn about the United Nations overall. We offer internship opportunities in four broad areas:

AREA 1: EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
• Support the preparation of senior-level meetings, conferences and engagements
• Prepare research, analysis and policy options for improved operational support
• Attend meetings with UN counterparts and committees, and coordinate follow-up to decisions
• Assist in speechwriting, messaging, preparation of reports and background documents

This track requires good writing, planning, and organizing skills


AREA 2: ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
• Help analyse the performance across functional areas, including human resources, supply chain, health-care, uniformed support, planning and operational support, HQ facility and administrative support
• Support the analytics teams in preparing data, data models, and surveys
• Develop dashboards and visualizations for senior managers, and provide user support
• Support data mining, optimization, metrics development, and predictive analysis

This track focuses on working with data and data models, as well as data visualization


AREA 3: STRATEGIC AND PROJECT SUPPORT
• Help analyse the performance across functional areas, including human resources, supply chain, health-care, uniformed support, planning and operational support, HQ facility and administrative support
• Support work on priority projects such as specific innovation initiatives
• Support design, drafting and implementation of strategic priorities such as departmental-wide performance framework, client relationship models, etc.

This track resembles consulting-like work, and draws on conceptualization, PowerPoint and project management skills


AREA 4: COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN
• Design core identity products that illustrate corporate vision, mission and values
• Design and prepare content/copy for corporate briefings, presentations, fact sheets, and snapshots
• Support the development of web sites, including layout, content, look and feel
• Provide design support across a range of print and online products

This track aims at applicants with some experience with graphic design, working with the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. InDesign, Illustrator) and/or experience in building websites

Competencies

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 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

Technological Awareness
• Actively seeks to apply emerging technology across tasks
• Keeps abreast of available technology
• Understands applicability and opportunities of technology for the organization

Education

We are open to a broad range of educational backgrounds. Typically, our interns are pursuing studies in the following areas:

AREA 1: EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in International Relations, Global Affairs, Management, Economics, Public Affairs or Public/Business Administration

AREA 2: ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Computer Science, Economics, Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Visualization or Analytics

AREA 3: STRATEGIC AND PROJECT SUPPORT
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Business Administration, Management, Strategy Development, Project Management, Operations Research, or Public Administration

AREA 4: COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN
We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Design, Web Development, Strategic Design and Management, Marketing, Information Design, Public Relations, Media Studies, Journalism or Data Visualization

Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (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) and, if selected, commence the internship within one year of graduation.

Work Experience

Candidates for our internship positions are not required to have significant professional experience, though it can be an advantage if you have interests, skills and knowledge in the areas below:

AREA 1: EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
• Keen interest in international affairs, international organizations, management and change
• Strong planning, drafting and communication skills
• Proficient in standard software applications
• Attention to detail and a passion for researching big-picture issue
• Experience in consulting, policy work or executive management support is an advantage

AREA 2: ANALYTICS AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
• Keen interest in analytics, information management, visualization, and performance optimization
• Strong knowledge of data management techniques, quantitative analysis and methods
• Knowledge of key business tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPivot, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of analytics tools (e.g. Microsoft SQL, PowerBI, SAP Business Objects, Tableau, Qlik)
• Experience in management analytics, visualization or survey design can be an advantage

AREA 3: STRATEGIC AND PROJECT SUPPORT
• Keen interest in strategy development and management
• Interest or experience in performance management, process redesign
• Knowledge of project management techniques and approaches
• Strong knowledge of key business tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with working in consulting-like projects cab be an advantage

AREA 4: COMMUNICATIONS AND DESIGN
• Keen interest in communications, design and change management
• Understanding of user-experience design, information hierarchy, design principles and typography
• Knowledge of industry standard software (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Knowledge of key online platforms and technology (e.g. Microsoft SharePoint, Drupal, HTML, CSS)
• Please submit a portfolio or a link to a portfolio along with your cover letter and CV

Languages

• Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For this duty station, English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French can be an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an interview.

Special Notice

We recruit interns throughout the year for assignments of at least 3 months. In your cover note, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that start and end dates are flexible:

• Fall (September to December)
• Winter/Spring (January to April)
• Summer (May to August)

Internships with us focus on one of three areas. In your cover note, please indicate which work stream you are interested in:

• Executive and Management Support
• Analytics and Business Intelligence
• Strategic and Project Support
• Communications and Design

Due to the high volume of applications received, we can ONLY contact successful candidates. All UN internships are UNPAID. Our interns work up to five days per week, with supervision and support of a staff member. Except for the summer periods, we also consider part-time internships.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.