Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

• Under the direct supervision of the Associate Human Rights and Social Inclusion Officer, the intern will:
• Support the development of internal human rights, gender and social inclusion capacity-building materials, which may require supporting and organizing meetings and webinars, carrying out background research, drafting surveys and communication materials, and other, similar such tasks as required.
• Support the development of human rights materials such as reports, publications, concept notes etc, including by carrying out background research, attending and supporting relevant meetings and events, as well as any other relevant tasks.
• Support the development of gender mainstreaming materials such as reports, publications, concept notes etc, including by carrying out background research, attending relevant meetings and events, summarizing reports and documents, etc.
• Support internal reporting, for example by gathering feedback from other teams.
• Support relevant internal and external meetings / events with a focus on human rights and gender mainstreaming. This may include providing logistical support, meeting coordination, taking minutes of meetings during meetings, preparing support materials, drafting talking points, liaison with internal / external stakeholders, preparing summary reports, etc.
• Support the Associate Human Rights and Social Inclusion Officer as otherwise required.
• Carry out any other tasks requested to support the Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit (this will include administrative tasks such as taking minutes of meetings).

Requirements

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 shortcomings.
• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

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

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
• Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office).
• Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred skills:

• Technical Skills
• Thorough understanding of UN human rights system.
• Thorough understanding of gender-mainstreaming in sustainable development.
• Understanding of human rights-based and gender-transformative approaches in sustainable development.
• Thorough understanding of international human rights law and practice.
• Exceptional technical writing skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Preferred areas of studies:

• Law, Human Rights, Gender studies or any other related field of study.

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.
• Knowledge in human rights capacity building is required.
• Experience applying a human rights-based approach to sustainable development is desirable.
• Experience in gender-mainstreaming in development work is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.