Intern – Global Staff Association Committee (GSAC)

Position Title: Intern – Global Staff Association Committee (GSAC)

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Intern, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Internship, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 04 September 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Background Information
Staff members of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are represented by the Global Staff Association (GSA). The GSA aims to safeguard the collective and individual rights and interests of IOM staff members globally, promote their welfare, resolve issues arising between IOM staff members and the Administration, and advocate with the Administration for changes that will benefit IOM staff members and the Organisation as a whole. In 2017, IOM created the Global Staff Association Committee (GSAC) to replace the Staff Association Committee in Geneva and to act as the executive body of the GSA. GSAC members and the Chairperson were previously elected in 2021 and again in 2024.

Through its work, GSAC seeks to advocate for and protect the rights of IOM staff globally as well as contribute toward engendering policy change and associated practices to benefit both staff and the Organisation.

Supervision

Under the overall supervision of the GSAC Chairperson and the direct supervision of the GSAC Programme & Communications Officer, as well as through engagement with the GSAC Secretariat, GSAC Bureau, and GSAC Regional Representatives. The intern will contribute to the overall strategy and related workflows; provide support in administrative matters, participate in designing communication products and measure the impact and reach of communication activities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Assist in conceptualizing, designing, and developing a wide range of information and communications materials, including newsletters, video scripts, info. sheets, brochures, presentations and posters to support GSAC’s strategic advocacy efforts. Coordinate with service providers in relation to their functions as the necessary logistical arrangements to produce the information and communications materials.
2. Help consolidate GSAC’s online presence and support the creation of websites, social media pages and their content.
3. Liaise with the current GSAC Regional Representatives, GSAC Secretariat, and National Staff Association Committees (NSACs) to collect information to ensure GSAC’s online platforms (such as MS Teams, SharePoint) and spaces are regularly updated and to provide substantive inputs into GSAC’s yearly reports.
4. Help develop and implement a plan to measure the effectiveness of GSAC’s information and communications materials.
5. Assist in the preparation and planning of meetings, retreats, and webinars, including logistical arrangements, note-taking, and report-writing.
6. Help maintain GSAC’s databases up-to-date.
7. Support the GSAC Secretariat in responding to the Federation of International Civil Servants’ Associations (FICSA) members’ queries and surveys regarding IOM’s rules and practices.
8. Support the GSAC Secretariat with the regular updating of the GSA membership list and responding to the ongoing requests received in this regard.
9. Support GSAC subcommittees in their various functions by working in close coordination with subcommittee leads.
10. Support GSAC in data collection including development of staff surveys and questionnaires.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Training Components and Learning Elements

• Understand structure of staff association systems and international organizations.
• Experience administrative responsibilities focused on communication and awareness raising.
• Implement a sustainable and effective strategy that meets GSAC’s goals including increased reach and awareness of GSAC’s services and its work in each priority area.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• University degree in Political Science, Legal Studies, Social Sciences, and/or Humanities or any related Social Science field from an accredited academic institution.

Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in this internship programme. However, the following experience is an asset:

• Communication and liaison in an international setting;
• Graphic design;
• Developing informational materials; and,• Experience in general administrative role.

Skills

• Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and tailors language to match the audience. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately;
• Planning and organizing – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources to monitor and complete assignments and plans. Identifies and adjusts priorities as required. Keeps team informed of progress or setbacks; and,
• Creativity – Actively seeks to improve communication activities and considers all those to whom services are provided. Takes interest in and proposes innovative ideas that are tailored to GSA members’ needs.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Note

Eligibility and Selection

In general, the Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who:

1. have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities;
2. are holding a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations and/or for whom internship is required to complete their studies; or
3. are sponsored by governmental/non governmental institutions and/or academia to work in specific areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.
4. are either enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated in the last 12 months. e) are at least 20 years old.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and additional enquiries will only be addressed if the candidate is shortlisted.
• Depending on experience and location, IOM provides a small monthly stipend to help offset costs.
• Please consider the cost of living in Geneva prior to applying.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

No late applications will be accepted.