Background

Purpose of UNFPA’s Internship Programme is to:

  • provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNFPA, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments;
  • expose them to an international environment;
  • expose them to work of the Organization with the objective of deepening their knowledge and understanding of UFPA goals, principles and activities; and
  • provide UNFPA office with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.

Financial aspects, expenses and medical benefits:

  • The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or his sponsoring institution or government.
  • UNFPA accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance for the intern or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period. Applicants are required to provide evidence of adequate medical insurance coverage.
  • UNFPA is not responsible for any claims by an intern or third party in the case of loss or damage to property or death or personal injury as a result of actions or omissions on the part of the intern during the internship period.

Working Conditions

During the internship session, interns will be provided with a desk and computer access.

Further Career Opportunities:

  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNFPA but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
  • Interns with UNFPA shall not be eligible for recruitment as a staff member within a 2 months period following the conclusion of their internship.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Drafting documents, reports;
  • Writing meeting follow-ups;
  • Assisting in the organization of conferences, forums or other collaborative program events;
  • Drafting knowledge stories/best practices;
  • Other support needed.

Attendance

The intership is normally performed on a full-time basis; the intern is expected to work during normal working hours.

The intern shall provide written notice in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances which might prevent him/her from fulfilling his/her obligations.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNFPA;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

  • Strong research and writing skills;
  • Knowledge of gender and human rights;
  • Editing skills are helpful;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications;
  • Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNFPA in particular and to the ideals of the UN Charter; the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Required Skills and Experience

UNFPA may accept interns providing the following conditions are met:

  • Active enrollment in or completion of a university or similar educational programme;
  • Interesting in the field of development;
  • Proficient in English. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is an asset;
  • Ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Interns are not staff members. They do not enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded to the UN and its officials.
  • Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
  • Interns may not represent UNFPA in any official capacity.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates please send the following documents:

  • a duly completed Internship application form (available at http://goo.gl/yQW8Pv);
  • a completed and signed UN Personal History Form (p-11);
  • a brief statement (one to two pages) describing interest in performing an intership with UNFPA.

to email address ukraine.office@unfpa.org before May 31st 2016 under the subject: Internship: Programme Intern.