Intern - Legal Affairs [Temporary]

The Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are:

Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.”

This internship is located within the Legal Office of ECA.

This internship is a full time job (35 hours/week) of minimum duration of 2 months with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of 6 months and it is not remunerated. The internship will be undertaken remotely.

The intern will work remotely from home under the supervision of the Legal Advisor and the Secretary of the Commission and as part of the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Responsibilities include:

Assist with research and the provision of legal advice on the interpretation and application of relevant public international law, including environmental law, commercial law, procurement, administrative law, as well as United Nations privileges and immunities;

Assist with the drafting and review of legal documents, including correspondence, summary notes, briefing papers and reports on a wide variety of legal matters, including to United Nations bodies;

Assist in the provision of legal advice and analysis on matters arising from contracts entered into by the Agency, including those relating to the procurement of goods and services and donor financing and project agreements for the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance;

Assist in research and analysis on a wide range of administrative law issues, including use of the Agency’s system for internal administration of justice for staff members and matters relating to allegations of staff misconduct;

Assist in reviewing legal matters related to the governance of the Agency, including drafting and reviewing ECA administrative issuances;

Assist with servicing high-level and other meetings as well as training sessions for staff members covering a range of legal issues; and

Perform other duties as may be required.

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 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 shortcomings.

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

Client Orientation:
Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from client's point of view.

Applicants must be students enrolled in, or have recently completed (i.e. commence internship within one year of graduation date), either a graduate school programme (i.e. second university degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent), with major area of study in law or a related field.

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.
Specialization in international law, environmental law, procurement, commercial law or administrative law is desirable. Experience in a professional office environment is an asset.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this internship. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Only finalist candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager for further consideration.

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

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and /or illness incurred 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.

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

The Cover Note must include:
• Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?);
• Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?);
• A motivation letter (maximum one page) must include:
• Explain your interest in the ECA and why you are the best candidate for this specific internship;
• Your knowledge of legal issues related to the work of the ECA;
• List IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in;

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

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

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.

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.