Internship – Data Analytics Intern

Area, Division, City, Country

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.  We are currently seeking to fill a data analyst intern position in our Data Analytics Intern of the Office of Internal Audit (Office of the Inspector General), based in Rome, Italy.

Brief description of the Office of Internal Audit, Office of the Inspector General:

The mandate of the Office of Internal Audit is:

• To provide the Executive Director, through the Inspector General, with independent and objective assurance, in addition to consulting services designed to improve WFP’s operations; and,
• To help WFP accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and suggest improvements to the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance process.

Within the Office, a Data Analytics team operates to leverage on modern techniques for information management, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the assurance activity.

General Information

• Title of Post: Data Analytics Intern
• Supervisor: Internal Auditor
• Unit: Office of the Internal Audit, Inspector General and Oversight Office
• Country: Italy
• Duty Station: HQ, Rome
• Duration of internship: four months, with a possibility to extend for further four months
• Expected Start Date: alternatively beginning of January or beginning of May 2020

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Data Analyst, and the Data Analytics Working Group, the Data Analytics Intern will be carrying out the following duties:

• Liaising with audit teams in order to define and document audit information needs;

• Identify data required for analysis from operational systems (e.g. SAP);

• Extract and transform data identified into a format usable for analysis;

• Develop and implement scripts for data analysis purposes and automate data validation efforts;

• Perform exploratory data analysis on specific populations, formulate and test hypothesis;

• Design and implement data visualizations;

• Assist in the identification of potential for automating and optimizing the audits performed to allow for greater accuracy or repeatability;

• Assist in the development and implementation of formal procedures and standards for the core data analytics processes;

Qualifications and experience

• Currently enrolled with at least two years undergraduate studies completed, or recently graduated (within the past six months) in one of the following disciplines: Data Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Management, Statistics, Mathematics or a related field;
• University course attendance in the past 12 months;
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook);
• Technical expertise regarding data models, database design and development, data mining, exploratory analysis and cluster analysis;
• Strong programming abilities, focused on ETL implementation and data analysis;
• Knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing large datasets;
• Adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings;
• Knowledge of SAP, R, Python and Tableau are considered a plus;

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy;
• Ability to understand key economic issues;
• Comfortable in a rapidly changing environment, with competing and shifting priorities;
• Strong communication skills;
• Strong programming skills;

Working Languages

Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of the Internal Auditor, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. The Internal Audit Manager will be the second-level supervisor. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, weLearn.  Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Learning Elements

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should:

• Obtain an overview on how WFP operates to fight hunger;
• Understand how the oversight function can leverage on data analytics to provide assurance on processes and operations;
• Be able to develop indicators for risk identification and detection of anomalies;
• Be able to communicate results.

Information on the Country of Assignment

• Living conditions in Rome, Italy

(Living conditions, security, health, etc)

The security situation in Italy remains in line with other European Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Italy. Considering the ongoing defeat of Daesh in the war territories, the trend in the short and mid-term will most likely continue to see the return of the militants to the countries of origins, including Italy. Insurrectional anarchism remains sufficiently organized on the Italian territory, as it has been present for many years. This movement could target the UN in the context of its anti-capitalism/anti-western narrative. 2) Whilst UN staff continue to be victims of minor crime such as street robbery and apartment break-ins, the infrequency of attacks and random nature of locations do not indicate that UN staff are at an elevated risk in comparison to residents or tourists in Italy. 3) Italy’s national territory is exposed to a broader range of natural hazards than any other European country. The vulnerability of its population and built environment is often severe and has in some cases been exacerbated by human activities. 

• Other relevant information

VA Reference no: 108464

Closing Date:  9.12.2019

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognised institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.  WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Fighting Hunger Worldwide