Internship at the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA)

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) is a specialized entity within the United Nations Secretariat, established in 200

• Its mission is to focus on the priorities of the African continent and to enhance international support for Africa's development. OSAA operates with a core mandate that includes advisory, advocacy, coordination, and monitoring functions. The office collaborates with various parts of the UN system to ensure coherence in addressing the interconnected issues of peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and development in Africa. OSAA is dedicated to promoting Africa's interests on the global stage and works to facilitate dialogue and partnerships that support sustainable development across the continent.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at OSAA is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience for individuals interested in international relations, development studies, and related fields. The intern will work closely with the Head of Office and will be involved in various functions that support the office's mission. The role is primarily focused on course moderation, activity submission review, and documentation support. Interns will gain hands-on experience in monitoring course participant interactions, assessing submissions, and contributing to the documentation of engagement patterns. This position is ideal for candidates looking to deepen their understanding of the UN's work in Africa and to develop skills in policy analysis and program evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties that include:

• General Course Moderation: - Monitoring participant queries and discussion forums to ensure effective communication. - Identifying and flagging technical issues for resolution by the UNSCC technical team. - Highlighting substantive policy or content questions that require input from OSAA. - Providing administrative support to coordinate responses to participant inquiries.
• Activity Submission Review: - Reviewing and assessing participant submissions against established analytical frameworks and course criteria. - Evaluating activity responses for quality and alignment with course objectives. - Organizing and categorizing participant contributions for review.
• Documentation and Reporting Support: - Preparing summaries of participant engagement patterns and common themes. - Documenting moderation activities and identified issues. - Providing technical input for improving moderation processes and participant guidance materials. The outputs of this internship will include documented monitoring of course queries, quality evaluations of activity submissions, and summarized reports on participant engagement and moderated activities.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). A field of study closely related to the internship is required. Familiarity with online course moderation platforms and experience in applying analytical frameworks to policy design are preferred. Knowledge of the African development context is also beneficial. Applicants must be able to provide proof of their academic status and qualifications during the application process.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a background in development studies, international relations, economics, education, or related fields. They must be either enrolled in a graduate program or have completed their studies at the bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. level. The internship is open to students in their final year of study, as well as recent graduates who meet the educational requirements.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. Familiarity with the UN system and its operations, particularly in relation to Africa, will be advantageous for applicants.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is desirable, and familiarity with another official UN language is considered an advantage. This linguistic proficiency will enable effective communication within the diverse environment of the UN.

Additional Notes:
This internship is designed to be in-person and full-time, requiring a commitment of 35 hours per week. However, adjustments can be made based on the successful candidate's requests. The expected duration of the internship is between 2 to 6 months. It is important to note that interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Additionally, interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to secure the appropriate visa and work authorization. Candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process.