Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women Japan Liaison Office has been established in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan since April 2015. The Office works on extending policy dialogue, holding lectures and public events, and also building partnership. In particular, it is expected to outreach to various actors, including the government, parliaments, private enterprises, academics, NGOs, media and other and to keep them informed about UN Women’s work and role with regards to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office, the main responsibilities of the Intern will be to assist work of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office including the following;

  • Monitor trends and issues which impact gender equality and women’s empowerment and identifying opportunities for UN Women;
  • Conduct outreach activities including formulation of information and tools;
  • Prepare and coordinate various events of the UN Women Japan Liaison Office;
  • Prepare and coordinate high-level visits of UN Women officials;
  • Handle inquiries from students and general publics.

Learning Objectives:

The internship offers students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UN Women’s work. It is designed to complement women’s development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complements other international studies, including law.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Ability to translate both ways between English and Japanese;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Power Point);
  • Social media and web design experiences are desirable;
  • Ability to work in a team;
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • The intern must have studies in gender, human rights, development or other similar subject at the university level;
  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Language:

  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English and Japanese are required.

Interns are not financially remunerated by UN Women.

Application Information:

  • UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest;
  • Selected applicants must provide the internship application, two letters of recommendation, proof of health insurance and school enrollment, passport, and visa (if applicable).

UN Women Internship Policy:

  • Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
  1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
  3. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within one-year.
  • UN Women internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern;
  • UN Women accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UN Women during the period of the internship or for six months immediately following the expiration date of internship;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan, proof of school enrollment, a scanned copy of his/her passport, two letters of recommendation, and application;
  • Interviews are scheduled to take place from early to middle July 2017 for candidates who are successful in screening.