UNDP Jobs - 41597- Legal Intern

Legal Intern

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

03-Feb-2014

Application Deadline :

01-Dec-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months, full-time

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months, full-time

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The Legal Support Office serves as in-house counsel in UNDP. The Corporate and Institutional Law Section (C&I) handles the Organization’s institutional and commercial legal matters, including contracts, privileges and immunities, and legal aspects of financing agreements and programming issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor and Head of C&I, the intern’s duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Assignments ranging from review and assistance to LSO lawyers on claims, contracts, agreements, and intellectual property matters as well as research on various projects. The internship allows for a great deal of interaction and opportunity to receive guidance from and engage in discussions with the LSO lawyers.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong organizational and research skills;
Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Respect for diversity: understanding of the United Nations system, operations and structures;
Work under minimum supervision and tight deadlines;
Computer proficiency: MS Office including (excel, Word).

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Currently enrolled in a graduate-level degree programme as a full-time student in development related fields. Only students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible;
In order to qualify for the program, the student must be enrolled in a graduate-level degree program leading to a JD degree (or one that is comparable if applicant is outside the United States).

Language:

Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English. Additional UN language is an asset.

Note:

Available full-time for a period of 6 months. Applicants must state their availability in their application form.

Intern’s Expenses/Arrangements

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the program must be borne by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Subsequent Employment:

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website;
The application MUST contain these application materials (note that only complete applications will be considered):
Cover letter;
Curriculum Vitae;
A sole-authored writing sample (1000 - 2000 words);
Completed UNDP Application Form for Internships Application for UNDP Internship Programme ;
Proof of health insurance coverage;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials;

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted. Candidates who are shortlisted for an interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme and specifying the expected graduation date;
Letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student's performance;
Copy of current school transcript;
A brief statement specifying the reasons why the candidate is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience.

Before being offered an internship position, the selected candidate will have to provide the following additional documents:

A Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether he/she is fit to travel and has had the required inoculations for the country or countries to which the intern is to travel;
Proof of medical and life insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out.