Internship - Assistance with the Consultative Committee’s Regular Activities

Job Description

Work Location: Bern

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations and the principal forum for cooperation between postal sector stakeholders, establishes the rules for international mail exchanges. It has 191 member countries and has its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.

Its primary objective is to encourage the provision of a quality postal service that is accessible to all, and its core mission is to develop social, cultural and commercial communication between peoples.

The UPU comprises several bodies, including the Postal Operations Council (POC), made up of representatives from 41 member countries, which considers operational and technical matters of interest to the postal service. It promotes the introduction of new postal products and establishes standards for the various technological, operational and other processes and procedures for the implementation thereof.

General context of the Internship

The main objective of the traineeship within the Consultative Committee (CC) secretariat, which reports to the UPU International Bureau9s Administration and Cabinet Directorate (DACAB), is to provide assistance to the team9s work related to the CC9s daily activities. The trainee will provide assistance to the Programme Manager, Expert, Assistant and consultants.

The Intern will be required to:

1. Provide support for routine Consultative Committee matters
   • Assist with the organization of internal and external meetings/events (reserving rooms and equipment, sending invitations, coordinating for availabilities of participants, etc.)
   • Follow up on contacting CC member prospects and regularly update the list of CC prospects
   • Assist with the coordination and follow-up of matchmaking meetings between CC members and designated operators (DOs)
   • Monitor CC members9 activities via various communications channels (including CC WhatsApp community)
2. Perform traditional secretariat duties, including
   • Administer mail and e-mail correspondence (reception, sorting, formatting and dispatch)
   • Ensure the receipt of key information (contracts, reports, etc.) upon request
   • Prepare the lists/tables/graphics upon request
   • Request and gather information as instructed

Qualifications/special skills

• Work experience in an international environment would be an asset
• Knowledge of secretarial or administrative practices
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Good knowledge of Excel
• Experience in taking notes and in re-reading and editing documents (in either French or English) would be desirable
• Independence (in relation to instructions to be followed)
• Sense of initiative
• Flexibility
• Ability to work under stress and manage priorities
• Oral and written communication skills
• Practical-mindedness
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities

Languages

• Excellent oral and written command of French or English (Advanced - UN level lll).
• Ability to communicate in the other language would be desirable (Intermediate - UN level ll)
• Knowledge of another UN language would be desirable (Intermediate - UN level ll).

Additional Information

In line with UPU rules, this traineeship is reserved EXCLUSIVELY for STUDENTS. Any other candidate profile will not be considered. Recent graduates in the areas described above are also invited to apply. They must have graduated within six months of the date of this announcement.

The traineeship will be remunerated in accordance with current UPU Human Resources rules.

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 APPLICANTS9 BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline : Jan 3, 2026