Internship in Internal Oversight Services

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace, eradicating poverty, and fostering sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The IOS is tasked with providing independent and objective assurance to the Director-General regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's programs. The intern will work under the guidance of the Director of IOS and the Heads of Audit, Investigation, and Evaluation Offices. The role is designed to support the development of strategies that safeguard the organization's interests while promoting accountability and professionalism. The intern will collaborate closely with the Audit, Investigation, and Evaluation teams, engaging in various tasks that align with the division's objectives. The internship aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of UNESCO's operations and oversight functions, enhancing the intern's skills in research, writing, and communication, as well as fostering a culture of learning and improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be involved in a variety of tasks across three main areas: Audit, Investigation, and Evaluation. In the Audit area, the intern will assist the Audit team in conducting audits of selected operations, gather evidence for audit plans, analyze financial data, and contribute to drafting audit reports. In the Investigation area, the intern will help develop policies for administrative investigations, support the assessment of allegations of misconduct, draft investigation documents, and conduct interviews. In the Evaluation area, the intern will support the evaluation function by assessing the effectiveness of UNESCO programs, assisting in data collection and analysis, and helping disseminate evaluation findings. The intern will also perform any other tasks assigned by the Director or Heads of the respective teams, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be at least 20 years old and currently enrolled in their third year or final year of a Bachelor’s degree, or in a second university degree (Master's or PhD), or have completed their degree within the last 12 months. Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized institution and in their final year or have recently graduated. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work well in a team and adapt to an international environment. Excellent computer skills and a command of English or French are mandatory, with knowledge of the other language being an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program (third year or final year), a Master’s degree, or a PhD. Alternatively, candidates who have completed their degree within the last 12 months are also eligible. For technical or vocational assignments, candidates must be in their final year of studies or have graduated within the last year.

Experience:
While prior experience is not explicitly required, candidates should demonstrate strong skills in research, writing, and communication. Experience in an international working environment or familiarity with oversight functions in organizations would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of English or French, both written and spoken. A working knowledge of the other language is considered an asset, especially for roles involving secretarial or assistantship tasks at Headquarters.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and UNESCO does not provide financial compensation for interns. However, interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and additional leave for each complete month of internship. Limited workplace insurance coverage is provided for risks associated with the internship. The selection process involves applying to the internship pool, and candidates will be assessed by hiring managers over a six-month period. It is important for candidates to ensure their contact details remain valid during this time, as they may not receive individual responses regarding their applications.