SME Development, Entrepreneurship, and Job Creation

Geneva

Organization: ILO - International Labour Organization
Location: Geneva
Grade: Internship - Internship
Occupational Groups:
- Sustainable trade and development
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Public, Private Partnership
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Business Development
Closing Date: Closed

Grade: Internship

Publication date: 3 April 2020
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 14 April 2020

Vacancy no.: INTERNROSTER/2020/1/GENEVA/5

Job ID: 2862

Department: ENTERPRISES
Organization Unit: SME
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)

You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published several times per year. The roster will be made available to all departments and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application.

ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for talented individuals to:

(a) increase understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving them directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies;

(b) gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to their field of study.

The internship programme is not intended to lead to a career in the ILO. There should be no expectation of further employment at the end of the internship.

**Please note that you can apply to a maximum of three internship profiles during the current application period. If you apply to more than three internship profiles, your application will not be considered for any profile.** Note that you may withdraw your candidature at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.

It is highly recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid last minute technical issues or delays. Late applications will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, particularly those with disabilities and from non - or under - represented member States. If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities.

IMPORTANT:
Please only apply for an internship if you fulfil the following two criteria:

(1) You have no close relative serving in the ILO.

(2) This is your first internship with the ILO (only one internship is permitted).

Department

The Small and Medium Enterprises Unit of the ILOs ENTERPRISES Department seeks to unlock the potential of creating more and better jobs in micro, small and medium sized businesses - a sector where the bulk of employment is being provided.

The SME unit is the largest unit of the Enterprises department and backstops about 80% of the technical cooperation project portfolio globally. The dynamic team integrates ILO core work on Decent Work objectives with technical cooperation programmes aiming at SME development, productivity improvements, job creation and poverty alleviation. 50% of the staff in the unit directly works on technical cooperation activities creating a dynamic, delivery and field operations oriented work environment.

Learning area

The SME unit undertakes and supports specialised action oriented research, as well as supportingfield offices with national-level development interventions and project execution. The unit has the following focus areas i) Enabling Business Environment and enterprise formalization; ii) SME productivity and working conditions; iii) Market Systems and Value Chain Development; iv) Entrepreneurship and management training; v) Women Entrepreneurship Development and vi) Refugee livelihoods.

SME staff based in Geneva can be involved in a range of work: providing technical guidance and support to country offices; research (syntheses, design, writing and coordination), the coordination of TC projects or national-level programme activities; monitoring progress and reporting. As an intern with SME, you are likely to be appointed to work within one focus area, and will have the chance to extend your knowledge and experience by working alongside and in cooperation with appropriate ILO specialist staff in HQ and in close contact to the field offices. The unit also places a lot of importance on impact and results measurement concerning working condition improvements and job creation.

SME is a dynamic unit that values information sharing and joint working, so while you may be working on one specific area, you will be exposed to others. The intern can, therefore, expect to become involved in unit tasks outside of his/her specialist area, thereby gaining wider insights into the workings of the unit and the ILO, and learning about the importance of cross-cutting issues, including gender and the environment.

Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.

Required qualifications

Education

A degree in one of the following fields: business, communications, economics, international relations, economic geography, international development, women economic empowerment, microfinance or other related social sciences is required. The candidate should be enrolled in their final year of graduate degree programme or should have completed such a programme no longer than 1 year ago.

Experience

Previous experience should include work related to the fields of interest to the SME unit, including the technical areas outlined above or similar ones (e.g. microfinance) and the management and delivery of technical cooperation programmes (project cycle management etc.). Experience in measuring impact of development interventions (randomized controlled trials, other thorough M&E and measurement systems) would be an advantage. Prior internships or work experience, especially if in developing countries would be an advantage.

Languages

Strong oral and written English is essential, with a high standard of written English being particularly important. If shortlisted, the candidate’s language/writing ability is likely to be verified through a written test. Very good knowledge of at least a second of the ILO’s official languages (mainly French or Spanish) is required.

Competencies

Adaptable to an international; multicultural and multilingual environment; good communication skills; ability to work in a team as well as independently when needed; the ability to move between tasks flexibly to meet fast-changing demands.

How to apply:

1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs

2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs

3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile

4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline.

Selection process:

Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster.

If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Stipend:

As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2245 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2245 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense.

Insurance:

Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).

Fraud warning:

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

This vacancy is now closed.
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