Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Lao PDR serves as the secretariat to the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT). The RCO provides organizational, advisory, and management support, facilitating joint strategic planning and strengthening collaboration across the UN system. The office plays a crucial role in coordinating humanitarian assistance in crisis and emergency contexts, working closely with the Government and the international community. The RCO is dedicated to enhancing humanitarian coordination and information management functions, ensuring effective response to disasters and humanitarian needs in the region.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is designed for individuals who are interested in gaining practical experience in humanitarian coordination and information management within the UN framework. The intern will report directly to the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and will be involved in various tasks that support the office's functions. This includes assisting in the organization of inter-agency and cluster/sector coordination meetings, drafting situation reports, and maintaining tracking systems for humanitarian assistance. The intern will also be responsible for compiling disaster impact information and ensuring that all documentation is organized and up to date. This role is essential for those looking to understand the intricacies of UN operations and humanitarian efforts in a developing country context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include:

• Supporting the planning and execution of inter-agency and cluster/sector coordination meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking action items.
• Drafting and consolidating situation updates and reports to provide timely information to stakeholders.
• Maintaining the 5W matrix, which tracks who is doing what, where, and when in terms of humanitarian assistance.
• Assisting in the implementation of the Inter-Agency Contingency Plan by tracking progress and reporting on outcomes.
• Compiling and organizing disaster impact information shared through official coordination channels to inform decision-making processes.
• Ensuring that all files and reports are well-organized and that version control is maintained for all documents. The intern will work full-time, five days a week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma as a minimum educational requirement. Additionally, 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). While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is essential. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Skills in drafting news articles or social media posts, as well as designing surveys and polls, are considered advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in or having completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Candidates must provide proof of their educational status, such as an official certificate, at a later stage of the application process. This requirement ensures that interns have a solid academic foundation to support their work in humanitarian coordination and information management.

Experience:
While the internship does not require prior professional work experience, it is essential that candidates have a relevant academic background that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. This means that applicants should ideally have coursework or projects that relate to humanitarian work, international relations, or information management. The internship is designed to provide practical experience, making it suitable for students or recent graduates looking to enter the field of humanitarian assistance or UN operations.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's application. Proficiency in multiple languages can be beneficial in a multicultural environment like the UN, where communication with diverse stakeholders is crucial.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment. The minimum duration is two months, with the possibility of extension up to six months. Interns are expected to work five days a week, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is important to note that interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Those who are not citizens or permanent residents of Lao PDR may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization before starting the internship. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.