The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is the informal component of the system of the administration of justice in the United Nations. It is
the primary recourse mechanism for resolving workplace concerns in the United Nations and acts as an alternative to the formal complaints mechanism. The Office has eight regional
branches in Bangkok, Geneva, Entebbe, Goma, Nairobi, Santiago, Vienna and Beirut, each headed by a Regional Ombudsman, and has a Mediation Service at Headquarters which serves staff of the United Nations, UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UN Women and UNHCR. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their specific skills and/or experience in their cover
note. They are asked to do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving Office.
This internship ranges for a period of two (2) to six (6) months.
The internship is unpaid and full-time.
Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the UNOMS.
The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is looking for interns to support the Office staff in carrying out their respective areas of work. Daily
responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and may include:
1. Support to the the United Nations Ombudsman.
Under the supervision of the UN Ombudsman, the intern will research and draft reports, track and support case management, and develop and refine presentation for international and domestic meetings.
2. Support to the Mediation Services:
Under the supervision of the Director of Mediation, the intern will be involved in all aspects of the Mediation Service which include assisting in case management, preparation of mediation documents and reports as well as conducting necessary research on topics related to mediation, the UN justice system and current jurisprudence, staff rules, regulations and administrative instructions.
3. Support to the identification of systemic issues:
Under the supervision of the Senior Conflict Resolution Officer the intern will provide assistance to the systemic issues team, assist in case analysis, monitor progress and conduct related research.
4. Support to Outreach and Advocacy:
Under the supervision of the Communications Officer the intern will assist with outreach activities such as preparing and editing texts, articles and presentations and contributing to the Office's website.
5. Support to preparing data and preparing reports:
Under the supervision of the Conflict Resolution Officer the intern will assist in the intake and follow-up of cases including the compilation of statistics and the preparation of regular monthly reports.
Professionalism:
Demonstrated understanding of conflict resolution and the functioning of international organizations. Ability to keep matters confidential and exercise good discretion
in using information. Conscientiousness in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Applicant is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows
persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges and remains calm in stressful situations. Applicant is/can become familiar with Office software, actively seeks to apply
technology to appropriate tasks; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals; Applicant 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. Communication: Ability to draft clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Planning and Organizing: Ability to establish priorities, to coordinate one's own work plan and meet deadlines. Applicant adjusts priorities as required; allocates
appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
We are looking for applicants with a background in law, international relations, administration, conflict resolution, public relations, social sciences or related fields.
To qualify for consideration for an internship by the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
(1) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(2) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
(3) Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and/or (2) above;
(4) Candidates who are selected, must commence the internship programme either prior to graduation or within one year of graduation from an academic programme as described in (1) and (2).
Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted.
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. However, work experience in relevant areas is an asset.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of French is
desirable. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required.
Applicants are encouraged to clearly indicate their preferences and highlight their specific skills and/or experience in their cover note. They are asked to do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving UN department. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
he Cover Note must include: *
Title of degree you are currently pursuing * Graduation date (when will you be/have graduating/graduated from the programme) * IT skills and programmes that you are proficient
in * Top three areas of interest/department preferences * Explain why you are the best candidate for that specific department(s). * Explain your interest in the United Nations
Internship Programme. In your 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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.