INTERN - FINANCE [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Logistics, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all peacekeeping and special political missions around the world.

This internship is located in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Cost Recovery and Coordination Services Unit (CR&CSU) under the Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT) in the United Nations Information and Communications Technologies Facility (UNICTF) in Valencia, Spain. The Intern is expected to start as soon as possible (with a preferred starting date 01 July 2021) and for a maximum period of six (6) months. One (1) post is available.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who wish to enhance his/her educational experience and to gain professional experience in cost recovery accounting, administrative support, financial procedures and practices within the Organization.

The internship will provide direct exposure to the Finance and Budget and allow the candidate to gain a broad overview of the administrative and financial specialties across the Organization.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief CR&CS Unit or his/her designated Staff Member, the incumbent will provide support to the CR&CS Unit to ensure functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system including the following duties:

- Assist in the provision of inputs for monthly preparation of cost-recovery processing;
- Assist in the preparation of SGITT reports for Senior Management;
- Assist in the monitoring of the monthly status of funds;
- Support team colleagues in the economic projections for the current and upcoming fiscal years;
- Assist in the analysis of the procurement process for acquiring goods and services for the cost recovery process;
- Support team colleagues in responding or drafting responses to routine correspondence and other communications, using standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports;
- Support maintenance of the internal control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Excel to be duly processed;
- Assist team colleagues in maintaining the proper filing system and e-documentation for all finance records;
- Support the rest of the CR&CSU activities, develop excel reports and perform other tasks as necessary;
- Perform other tasks to support Cost Recovery and Finance workstreams as assigned.

During the internship, the incumbent will:

- Experience working in a multinational section of the United Nations;
- Learn about the staff development programme at the United Nations;
- Be part of a dynamic team;
- Learn about and assist with other programmes in the Unit as desired and required.

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.

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 shortcoming.

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.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

The intern is expected to:

- 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.

Education

Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one the following requirements:

- 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).
- Once selected, interns must commence the internship on the date indicated on the acceptance letter;
- Be computer literate in standard software applications;
- Business, Public Administration, Finance or related area of studies.

Work Experience

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Please note that to qualify for an internship with the United Nations, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- 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).
Experience in Finance or Administration area is an advantage.
Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power BI or similar is an advantage.
Experience with spreadsheet and data base packages is an advantage.
Experience in handling of web based management systems is an advantage.
Experience in standard office automation equipment (scanner, printer etc.) is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme.
Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

The internship is UNPAID and full-time (i.e. an intern is expected to work five days per week (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) and there should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

- Title of degree you are currently pursuing (what are you currently studying?)
- Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?).
- List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
- List your top three areas of interest/department preferences.
- Explain why you are the best candidate for that specific department.
- Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

REMOTE INTERNSHIP (COVID-19):
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

Interns shall not be eligible to apply for or be appointed to any position in the Professional or higher categories or at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category during the period of the internship and the six months immediately following the expiration date thereof.

Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. Applicants who are otherwise related to a staff member may be engaged as interns, provided that they are neither assigned to the same work unit as such staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of such staff member. For purposes of this instruction, "child" means: (a) the child of a staff member; (b) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); or (c) the son- or daughter-in-law of a staff member. "Sibling" includes a half-sibling or step sibling.

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.