Internship

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Internship
Location: Pretoria
Country: South Africa
Deadline Date: 24 December 2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 3,300 employees. The ILO is committed to promoting social justice and fair labor practices globally, with a focus on improving working conditions and ensuring that all individuals have access to decent work.

Job Overview:
The internship position is located within the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, specifically in the Country Office for South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini (DWT/CO Pretoria). The intern will gain practical experience related to their field of study while contributing to the ILO's mission of promoting social protection systems. The internship is designed to provide insights into the ILO's work and the application of its principles, programs, and strategies. Interns will be involved in various projects aimed at strengthening national social protection systems and will have the opportunity to engage in awareness-raising activities, policy advice, and collaboration with UN agencies. The internship is not intended to lead to permanent employment within the ILO, and candidates should not expect further job opportunities after the internship concludes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will support the work on social protection through three main areas: 1) Awareness raising, communication, and international events, which includes assisting in the preparation of workshops and events focused on social protection, developing communication materials, and drafting human interest stories for the ILO website. 2) Policy advice, development cooperation, and capacity development, where the intern will document lessons learned, assist in developing training materials, and conduct mapping of pension reforms in the region. 3) UN and Multilateral Collaboration, which involves preparing information for UN meetings, documenting lessons learned from UN Joint Programmes, and supporting information sharing with interested countries. The intern will work under the supervision of the Social Protection Specialist and will be expected to contribute to various projects and initiatives related to social protection.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet two essential criteria: they should not have any close relatives serving in the ILO, and this must be their first internship with the organization. The internship is open to individuals who are currently enrolled in or have recently completed a graduate degree in relevant fields such as economy, social and political science, development studies, or international relations. Additionally, candidates should possess strong communication skills, the ability to synthesize information, and adaptability to a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this internship includes being currently enrolled in the final year of a graduate degree program (Master's or higher) or having completed such a program within the year preceding the application. Relevant disciplines include economy, social and political science, development studies, and international relations, among others. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of social protection and labor issues that the ILO addresses.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have some field experience in developing countries, particularly in areas related to social protection or social development. This experience can include internships, volunteer work, or academic projects that provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within social protection systems. The ILO values practical experience that demonstrates a commitment to social justice and labor rights.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is considered an asset, as it enhances the intern's ability to communicate and collaborate within the diverse linguistic context of the ILO's operations in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Additional Notes:
The internship is classified as an internship position with a duration of 3 to 6 months, starting on either the 1st or the 15th of a given month. Interns will receive a monthly stipend based on the cost of living in Pretoria, unless they are receiving funding from another institution. It is important to note that the ILO does not cover travel expenses to the duty station, and interns are responsible for their own insurance coverage during the internship. The ILO emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified individuals, particularly those with disabilities and from underrepresented member states. The selection process involves a screening by the Human Resources Development Department, followed by potential interviews or written tests for shortlisted candidates.