Job Description
Work Location
- This internship is designed to be full-time and in person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate.
Expected Duration
- 3 - 6 months
- Start dates according to the cycles described below:
- January - June
- September - February
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Internship Programme does not provide remuneration. The United Nations Secretariat is seeking motivated interns to support the work of the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO).
DCO is the secretariat to the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and manages the Resident Coordinator (RC) system.
Resident Coordinators (RCs):
- Are the highest-ranking representatives of the United Nations Development System (UNDS) at the country level
- Report directly to the UN Secretary-General
- Lead United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs)
- Ensure system-wide accountability for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework)
- Coordinate UN support to countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda
DCO Internship Assignments
DCO interns may be selected for assignments within a section of the Policy and Programming Branch of DCO, including:
- Policy
- Inter-agency Programme Facilitation and Data
- Strategic Partnerships
- Universal Values Team (human rights, gender equality, youth, disability inclusion)
- Cross-Pillar Team (peace, humanitarian, development)
Or within:
- Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (Front Office)
- Regional Office
- Communications and Results Reporting Branch
- RC System Leadership Branch
- Human Resources and Business Management Branch
Interns typically work full-time (35 hours per week, five days per week) and report to full-time professional staff.
Internships can be:
- In-person
- Fully remote
- Hybrid (partially in-person and remote work)
Internships typically last between five and six months. Candidates available for five to six months full-time are prioritized.
Internship Timeline
The DCO internship programme runs on a 12-month planning horizon:
- Internships may begin no sooner than two months after application
- Start date may be within 12 months of application
Internship cohorts typically onboard during:
- January - June
- September - February
Motivational Statement
Candidates should indicate the track they are interested in, highlighting any UN 2.0 skillsets:
- Track 1: STRATEGIC PLANNING, DATA & ANALYTICS
- Track 2: POLICY ANALYSIS & PROGRAMME FACILITATION
The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
- People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants from developing countries and female candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Reasonable accommodation may be provided for applicants with disabilities.
Responsibilities
TRACK 1 AND 2: COORDINATION AND EXECUTIVE SUPPORT
- Help collate guidance materials on knowledge capture and sharing
- Assist collection and sharing of emerging good practices and lessons for DCO and UNSDG members
- Help facilitate various online communities of practice
- Support the preparation of senior-level management meetings (including UNSDG and other inter-agency meetings)
- Support the preparation of country-level meetings organized from the global level
- Support the preparation of slide decks/PowerPoints, background and option papers for meetings
- Support the tracking and analysis of UNSDG decisions and their implementation
- Help ensure consistent visual concepts and language are used
- Assist in the preparation of speeches and talking points
TRACK 1: STRATEGIC PLANNING, DATA & ANALYTICS
- Support analytics on DCO/UNSDG-related issues, including cross-cutting needs, priorities, resources, risks, and performance
- Assist in the development of corporate visualization solutions using state-of-the-art tools
- Support the development of data models, including performance measures
- Build interactive dashboards and reports using corporate analytics applications
- Perform ad-hoc analysis and present results clearly
- Work with:
- MS Excel, Power BI, Tableau, ThinkCell, or similar analytics tools
- Relational databases such as SQL Server
- Geospatial analysis tools (ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, Leaflet, Carto, OpenStreetMap)
- Analytical techniques (sentiment analysis, predictive analysis, social media monitoring)
- Maintain key data sets, data models, indices, and reports
- Support the digital solutions lab in experimenting with Generative AI, Automation, Innovation, and low-code solutions
- Work with Python or similar tools to automate repetitive tasks
- Provide strategic support to the digital solutions lab
TRACK 2: POLICY ANALYSIS & PROGRAMME FACILITATION
- Monitor, identify, and analyze global trends (geographic, political, thematic)
- Support the preparation of analytical reports, papers, talking points, and correspondences
- Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes, and policies
- Support all areas of the policy process (agenda building, policy development, adoption, implementation, and evaluation)
- Support knowledge management, including community facilitation, best practice capture, and knowledge dissemination
- Support market intelligence for knowledge management and organizational learning
- Support the preparation of meetings, events, and visits
Competencies
COMMUNICATION
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
- Listens actively and interprets messages correctly
- Tailors language, tone, style, and format to the audience
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
- Develops clear goals aligned with agreed strategies
- Identifies priority activities and adjusts priorities as needed
- Allocates appropriate time and resources
- Foresees risks and contingencies
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS
- Actively seeks to apply emerging technologies
- Keeps abreast of available technology
Qualifications/Special Skills
Education:
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Be enrolled or recently graduated from a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher) in public policy, information management, data science, international relations, or a related field
- Be enrolled in the final academic year or graduated from a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
Applicants must demonstrate intention to study further or work in a related field.
Professional Experience:
- No prior work experience required
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
- Fluency in English is required
- Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage
Deadline: 20 Apr 2025
