Intern - Political Affairs

Posting Title: INTERN - POLITICAL AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN - POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Department/Office: Department of Political Affairs and Peacebuilding

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 06 June 2023 - 26 June 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Political Affairs-DPPA-210471-J-New York (A)

Staffing Exercise N/A

Org. Setting and Reporting

This internship within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) is offered for a period of six months based on the needs and requirements of the Department. The internship does not carry any payment or retribution expectation. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned.

The advertised internship is located in Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch is the advisory and research arm of SCAD. Its core functions are to prepare the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council, mandated by General Assembly resolution 686 (VII) of 5 December 1952; to provide guidance and information on Council practice/procedure to Member States, the Secretariat, NGOs and academics; to provide substantive servicing to the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions; to provide assistance for the familiarization of new Council members on the evolving practice and working methods of the Council and to deliver the functions of the UN Secretariat’s focal point on issues related to Security Council reform.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Security Council Practices and Charter Research Branch, the incumbent may undertake a range of activities, including, but not limited to, the following:

•Conduct research on events relating to political issues, in general, and in particular as they relate to the countries and thematic mandates on the agenda of the Security Council;

•Assist the Branch with documentation and cataloguing information related to the evolution of the practices and working methods of the Council and/or its subsidiary bodies;

•Conduct research, analysis and drafting of studies for the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council;

•Assist the Branch in its outreach efforts, including through the preparation of social media content;

•Assist in the further development of the Division's computerized databases capturing the contemporary practice of the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies; and participate in the updating of the Division’s computerized databases;

•Performing other duties as required.

Competencies

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.

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.

Planning& Organizing: 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.

Education

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

1. Applicants at the time of application must meet one of the following requirements:

(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)

2. The field of study must be closely related to the type of internship you are applying for.

3. Be proficient in standard word processing and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint or similar, and standard office automation equipment, scanner, printer, etc.; Knowledge or prior experience with producing social media content and engaging in social media monitoring (primarily Twitter) is an advantage. Knowledge of visualization tools such as Power BI and Canva is an additional asset.

4. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter.

5. 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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat).