UN Finance Intern - Field Operations Finance Division

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) 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. The UN operates in various fields including humanitarian assistance, development, and human rights, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to addressing global challenges and fostering international collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The UN Finance Intern position is situated within the Field Operations Finance Division (FOFD) of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), which is part of the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The FOFD plays a crucial role in supporting the Controller in managing the financial resources allocated by Member States for peace operations. This internship is designed for individuals seeking to gain practical experience in financial management, budgeting, and accounting within an international context. Interns will engage in various tasks that enhance their understanding of financial procedures and practices, while also contributing to the ongoing efforts of the FOFD to improve budget preparation and presentation processes. The internship is unpaid and aims to supplement the academic studies of the interns, providing them with valuable insights into the workings of an international organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be involved in a range of responsibilities that may include: conducting research and compiling historical data related to mandates and expenditure patterns; ensuring resource requirements align with applicable rules and regulations; participating in the preparation of budgets, including the consolidation and presentation of financial information; monitoring the implementation of UN budgets; identifying discrepancies between approved budgets and actual expenditures; and generating financial reports using databases and spreadsheets. These tasks are designed to provide interns with hands-on experience in analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis and reporting, as well as an understanding of the operational dynamics of peacekeeping finance.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this internship, applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed 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 degree or equivalent) in business, public administration, finance, or a related field. While professional work experience is not required, a relevant field of study is essential. Applicants must also be able to provide proof of their academic status, such as an official certificate, at a later stage in the application process.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in their final year of a Bachelor's degree program or higher (Master's or Ph.D.) or have completed such programs. The educational background should be closely related to the internship's focus on finance, business administration, or public administration, ensuring that interns have the foundational knowledge necessary to engage effectively in the tasks assigned.

Experience:
While no prior professional work experience is required for this internship, familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Word is essential. Experience in data analytics or related fields is considered a desirable asset, as it will enhance the intern's ability to perform data-driven tasks and contribute to financial analysis efforts within the division.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as English 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 advantageous and may enhance the intern's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The internship is expected to last between 3 to 6 months, with both full-time and part-time applicants being considered, although full-time candidates are preferred. For in-person internships in the United States, non-citizens or permanent residents must obtain a G-4 visa for full-time internships. Interns are not financially compensated by the UN, and they are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. It is important for candidates to indicate their availability for the internship period in their cover letter and to provide details of any previous UN internships. The application process requires a completed online application, including a Cover Note and Candidate Profile, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The UN does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.