INTERN - HUMAN RESOURCES [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Global Strategy and Policy Division serves as the central strategic authority for matters pertaining to the management of human resources, and ensures that the Organization can attract, develop and retain a talented and diverse global workforce. The Division provides leadership on the development, implementation, monitoring and communication of human resources strategies and revises existing or develops new policies for the Secretariat. The Division identifies, champions, develops and promulgates for implementation modern, innovative and enabling human resources policies and standards.

This position is located in the Human Resources Policy Section (HRPS), Strategy and Policy Development Service (SPDS), Global Strategy and Policy Division (GSPD), Office of Human Resources (OHR), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).

The internship is for six months. Interns work full time - five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the team. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

Candidates are encouraged to highlight their specific skills and/or experience in their application. They are asked to do so carefully to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving Office. Candidates will be responsible for providing all necessary computer and equipment that may be required in the performance of duties. Candidates will be responsible for meeting the cost of any and all such hardware. Candidates will be responsible for furnishing and maintaining your remote workplace in a safe manner. For this job opening, we hire on a rolling basis, so early application is advised.

Responsibilities

Do you want to serve a bigger cause? Are you someone who thrives on diversity and working together with people from all over the world?

We are looking for an intern who is interested in joining a very dynamic and international office that is in charge to develop and advise on the HR policy framework of the UN Secretariat.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the team assigned. Examples of daily tasks may include:

• Conducts research on a diverse range of issues using multiple sources; selects relevant material, analyzes information and presents findings for internal review;
• Supports the development and revision of policies on the exercise of streamlining and simplification;
• Assists in the preparation of policy opinions/advice on a wide range of human resources matters of the Organization;
• Assists in preparing background documentation, drafting correspondence, talking points, reports and presentations;
• Participates in meetings, conferences, and seminars and serves as secretary, as necessary (takes notes, draft summary reports, minutes, notes for the files or assessment reports for presentation to the head of the Section); monitors follow-up actions, etc.
• Reviews project comments/evaluations and progress reports, summarizes findings and lessons learned;
• Assists in designing, organizing, planning and managing the collection, evaluation, analysis, compilation, reporting and dissemination of statistical data;
• Contribute to data entry, updating database and programme related documents;
• Creates graphically engaging presentations and materials;
• Presents visual concepts and ideas in a compelling and attractive manner;
• Develops visual solutions derived from multiple data sources to enable insight and decision-making at various levels;
• Converts MS word based administrative and/or operational documents into interactive PDFs or other creative mediums;
• Innovates ways to disseminate and socialize HR policy content and the HR sites on the policy portal;
• Participates in Policy Portal meetings;
• Identifies, reviews and updates content in the HR and Travel sites of the Policy Portal that may be out of date or missing;
• Maintains electronic and paper files;
• Shows initiative and propose new ways to coordinate and streamline the work;
• Perform other activities and special projects as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration; ability to research and compile background materials; ability to draft clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills; familiarity in the use of various electronic resources on the internet, intranet, and other databases; awareness of the work of the United Nations; demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; use of tact in and ability to handle confidential information on issues with due discretion; is willing to place themselves in other shoes to find innovative solutions; Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

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 limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations New York Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

1) Applicants must:

(a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or;
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to Human Resources, Law, Public or Business Administration, Management, Strategy, International Relations, or similar.

2) Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);

3) Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and

4) 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.

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.

Experience with conducting research on the Internet, SharePoint sites, or intranets is desirable.

Experience in Office365 or similar software such as 1) Word, 2) Excel, 3) PowerPoint and 4) SharePoint is desirable. If yes, please indicate your proficiency level for each one of the four tools based on these criteria: proficient, some knowledge, basic, no knowledge - and provide an example on how you have use them each one of them.

Experience in drafting documents in English is desirable.

Experience in the use of data, analysis and reporting is desirable.

Previous experience in office management, client support and/or administrative tasks is desirable.

Previous experience in human resources management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship.

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.

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;
• Graduation Date (When will you be/have graduating/graduated from the programme?);
• List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in;
• List your top three areas of interest;
• Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship;
• Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme;
• Explain your interest in the work of the United Nations and personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
• Explain how you have demonstrated an 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.
• Your availability, as we recruit for internships on a rolling basis

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

• 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 not assigned to the same work unit as such staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of such staff member.

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

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

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.