Internship in the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various countries around the world, with a significant presence in New York City, where its headquarters is located. The organization employs thousands of individuals across diverse fields, including diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and international development, working collaboratively to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division (GAEAD) of the United Nations Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) in New York. The GAEAD is responsible for providing procedural and technical support to the General Assembly Plenary, four of its Main Committees, and various subsidiary bodies, addressing a wide range of issues considered by the Assembly. Additionally, GAEAD services the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and its subsidiary bodies. Interns will engage in various projects, with responsibilities tailored to their backgrounds and the nature of the assignments. Daily tasks may include preparing procedural notes for intergovernmental meetings, summarizing discussions, assisting with logistics, conducting historical research, analyzing media, compiling statistics, maintaining databases, drafting notes and briefing materials, updating websites, and performing other necessary tasks. A basic understanding of computer programming, database management, and data visualization tools is desirable but not mandatory.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will have a diverse set of responsibilities that may include: assisting in the preparation of procedural notes for intergovernmental meetings; attending and summarizing intergovernmental meetings; providing logistical support during meetings, including managing interactive presentations and virtual connections; conducting historical research and examining procedural precedents; performing media-based analysis and research; compiling statistics and designing charts, tables, and graphs; maintaining databases of meetings and assisting with data collection and analysis; contributing to the drafting and preparation of notes, talking points, and other briefing materials; updating and redesigning websites and links; and performing other tasks as necessary. Interns are expected to be proactive and adaptable, taking on various roles as needed to support the division's work.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet specific criteria: they must be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). Additionally, applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications, demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, and show a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Furthermore, candidates should possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, demonstrating tolerance and understanding of differing opinions and views. No prior working experience is required, as the focus is on the applicant's training, education, and skills that can benefit the United Nations during the internship.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a current student enrolled in a graduate school program or having completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). This ensures that interns have the necessary academic foundation to contribute effectively to the work of the United Nations and engage with the complex issues addressed by the organization.

Experience:
No prior working experience is required to apply for this internship. The United Nations values the educational background, training, and skills of applicants, emphasizing that these should be beneficial to the organization during the internship period. This opens the opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience in an international setting without the need for extensive prior work history.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this internship position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an advantage, as it enhances communication and collaboration within the diverse environment of the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations, meaning that all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is located may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is crucial for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Additionally, applicants should be aware that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.