Internship - Inter-Agency Affairs, WFP Geneva Global Office, Switzerland

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Internship – Inter-Agency Affairs

WFP Geneva Global Office, Switzerland

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 full-time intern position in the WFP Global Office, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFICE

The WFP Global Office in Geneva serves as WFP’s corporate interface with humanitarian partners – Member States, sister UN agencies, civil society and private sector – based in Geneva with the view of enhancing WFP’s contributions to outcomes of inter-agency and intergovernmental processes, operational and normative policy development, public information and investing in strategic partnerships for Zero Hunger.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Title of Post: Internship
• Supervisor: Partnerships Officer
• Unit: WFP Global Office in Geneva
• Country:  Switzerland
• Duty Station: Geneva
• Duration of internship: 6 months (with possibility to extend to a maximum period of 8 months)
• Expected Start Date: March 2023

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Officer, the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Accompany and assist WFP officials at intergovernmental and inter-agency meetings, including those involving United Nations agencies, NGOs and other partners; report on those meetings and provide a read-out, in written and/or oral form;
• Liaise with relevant units at WFP headquarters and in the field to obtain information in support of the work of the WFP Global Office in Geneva;
• Assist with preparing, facilitating and undertaking presentations to various audiences; including university and student groups, participants at careers fairs and visiting WFP staff to the Geneva Global Office;
• Assist in the organisation of meetings, conferences and with schedules of visiting staff;
• Assist with research and information gathering; and
• Perform ad hoc tasks required to assist other team members to meet the Office objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme from a recognized university OR recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme (within six months prior to the application to the internship programme) from a recognized university;
• University course attendance in the past 12 months.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

WORKING LANGUAGES

• Excellent written and spoken English is required (proficiency/Level C)
• Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset;

SUPERVISION (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Officer, 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 an elemental part of the supervision. 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:

• have insight into humanitarian affairs, inter-agency relations and the role of international organizations.
• better understand the interconnectedness of global challenges.
• have a good understanding of UN procedures and terminology.
• be able to research and prepare briefings on complex topics.
• gain an understanding of the organization’s current and future objectives, as well as how to effectively communicate these objectives.

INFORMATION ON THE COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT

Living conditions in Geneva, Switzerland

Switzerland is a safe destination, for both professional and personal travel. By exercising good common sense and practicing basic security awareness, travellers can easily avoid most incidents. French, German and Italian are official languages. French speaking regions include Geneva, whereas Bern and Zurich are in the German speaking region. 

Public gatherings are frequent in Geneva, and demonstrations are held almost daily on the Place des Nations, in front of the entrance to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Most demonstrations are peaceful, but large crowds can occasionally become disruptive, with sometimes violent confrontation between police and protesters. Travellers should exercise caution with regard to demonstrations.

Violent crime incidents are rare, but opportunistic theft is fairly common. Most incidents occur in major cities, most often involving pickpocketing and simple theft. Criminals and opportunistic individuals most often commit thefts of opportunity in areas frequented by tourists, on public transportation, or in bars and restaurants. The highest incidence of street crime is during local holiday periods and during the summer months. Visitors are targeted when they appear to be unfamiliar with their environment, inattentive to their personal belongings, or when they can be easily distracted. Travellers should remove visibly worn conference badges when outside of UN premises or conference venues and remain attentive to their personal belongings at all times when in public.

No terrorist attacks have ever been carried out against the UN in Switzerland, although two Jihadist stabbing attacks were reported in the country in 2020. Violent extremists are known to be present in the country and terrorism remains a persistent, but low-level threat. Without being alarmist, travellers should remain aware of their surroundings when in crowded public places.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

• VA Reference no: 368099
• Closing Date: 9 February 2023 at 11:59pm Rome Time

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.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.  WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Saving Lives

Changing Lives