Intern – Economic Affairs

Work Location

New York/Hybrid/Remote

Expected duration

3-6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The position is located Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB) of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (see https://financing.desa.un.org/). The internship is for a period of three (3) months, with an opportunity and preference for extension up to a total of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the department. PADB conducts research and analysis across the financing for development action areas (e.g. domestic public resources, private finance, international development cooperation, debt sustainability) and leads global technical guidance work on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) (see https://inff.org/). The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Depending on the situation of the successful candidate, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), and/or part-time. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. Responsibilities Under the supervision of a Staff Member of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB) at the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of UNDESA the Intern will support PADB staff in work related to Integrated National Financing Frameworks, as well as broader work of PADB. The Intern will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following tasks: Research and Analysis: Conduct research and prepare background papers on financing for sustainable development issues, including on issues related to INFF implementation; Compile statistics and analyze data and information; Prepare presentations and data analytics. Logistical and Administrative Support: Assist in the planning and organization of workshops, seminars, and other stakeholder meetings; Support the preparation of program documents, including reports, briefs, and monitoring the program’s budget and expenditures. Competencies Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. Team Work: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. The intern is expected to: Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and Have a demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: • Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) subject to review on a case-by-case basis, applicants within a few years from graduation who could not apply earlier and who are in an early stage of their careers; as a first time entry into the workforce; are changing careers or due to compelling family circumstances. • Be computer literate in standard software applications. • Field of study in economics or an economics-related field is desirable. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.

Additional Information

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. SPECIAL NOTICE A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: • Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?) • Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?) • List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • List your top three areas of interest. • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. REMOTE INTERNSHIPS (COVID-19): In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. G-4 VISAS FOR INTERNS: All interns assigned to a UN Organization, including Funds and Programmes, at a United States based duty station, who are not United States citizens or United States legal permanent residents (LPR) will be required to obtain G-4 visas prior to travelling to the United States. Prospective interns who are already in the United States in another nonimmigrant status may need to apply for a change of status to G-4 prior to joining the United Nations for an internship. It should be emphasized that prospective interns are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate valid visa and employment authorization allowing them to undertake the internship. If the applicant is in F-1 status and has a valid EAD, they may undertake an internship within the scope of their F-1 visa without seeking a change of visa status. Please note, however, that interns in F-1 status who wish to undertake an internship following completion of their academic programme as part of Optional Practical Training (OPT) ‘may’ need to seek a change of visa status to G-4 (This process currently takes about 8-10 weeks) or obtain G-4 visa overseas. To qualify for G-4 nonimmigrant status, interns must be serving essentially full-time, i.e. 35 + hours per week. Please also be advised that all candidates working in New York Headquarters will be required to submit proof of Covid-19 vaccination status. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.