Intern in Infrastructure Management and Data Centre Operations

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) serves as the UN headquarters in Africa. Established to support the implementation of various UN programs, UNON plays a crucial role in providing administrative, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, conference, and information services to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally. The organization is committed to fostering international cooperation and sustainable development, with a focus on addressing pressing global challenges. UNON operates in Kenya and collaborates with multiple UN offices, ensuring effective program delivery and support across the region. The office is located in the UN Gigiri Complex, which is a hub for various UN agencies and initiatives in Africa.

Job Overview:
This internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is based in the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), specifically within the Division of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Information and Communication Technology Service (ICTS), focusing on Infrastructure Management (IMS). The intern will be integrated into the team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the UNON IMS Server and Backup systems. The role is designed to provide practical experience in managing IT infrastructure, including server maintenance and cloud resources, while contributing to the optimization of data center performance. The intern will also engage in user account management, structured cabling installation, and network maintenance, thereby gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of IT operations. Additionally, the intern will be involved in data analysis and visualization, AI and machine learning research, and the deployment of Microsoft Copilot for IT automation, making this a comprehensive learning opportunity in the field of information technology.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Contributing to the day-to-day operation of the UNON IMS Server and Backup systems.
• Assisting in the management of IT infrastructure, which includes server maintenance and cloud resource management.
• Monitoring, reporting, and optimizing data center performance to ensure efficiency and compliance with established standards.
• Performing user account management tasks, including structured cabling installation and network maintenance.
• Collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data to generate actionable insights that can inform decision-making processes.
• Engaging in AI and machine learning research, staying updated on industry trends to enhance the organization's technological capabilities.
• Researching, deploying, and optimizing Microsoft Copilot for IT automation and AI-driven workflows.
• Documenting processes, tracking configurations, and presenting weekly progress reports to the supervisor and team members.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate school programme in information and communication technology or a related area; (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a degree programme in information and communication technology or a related area; or (c) if pursuing studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, have completed at least three years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of an information and communication technology degree or related degree. Familiarity with IT infrastructure, cloud computing, or network optimization is beneficial, especially in projects related to IT support, server migration, or cloud technologies.

Educational Background:
Candidates should ideally be in the final year of a university degree (minimum bachelor's) or have completed a degree in fields such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Technology Management, Data Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, or any related field with a focus on data analytics, IT infrastructure, or business technology. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a field of study closely related to the internship is essential. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed such a programme.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, candidates should have a strong academic background in a relevant field. The internship is designed for students who are in the final stages of their academic programs, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Familiarity with IT infrastructure and related technologies will be advantageous, particularly for those who have engaged in academic projects or coursework relevant to the internship.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is desirable and may enhance the candidate's application, providing an additional advantage in a multilingual work environment.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, meaning that all costs and arrangements for 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 Kenya may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization before starting the internship. It is crucial for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements with the UN before accepting the internship offer. Furthermore, it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training, and does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.