Background

The Office of the Ombudsman for United Nations funds and programmes (the “Office”) is established as an informal pillar of the system of administration of justice within the UN to make available the services of impartial and independent persons to address the work-related issues of staff members and non-staff personnel of the UN funds and programmes serving, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS and UN Women.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office is looking for an intern to support the team in carrying out the activities described below:

  • Carry out extensive research on binding and non- binding workplace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
  • Help analyze adjudicative and non-adjudicative workplace conflict management systems
  • Compile and collate material, draft concept notes and reports for meetings or seminars on workplace alternative dispute resolution and conflict management systems
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Competencies

Professionalism:

Demonstrated understanding of conflict resolution and the functioning of international organizations.  Ability to keep matters confidential and exercise good discretion in using information.  Conscientiousness in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.  Applicant is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges and remains calm in stressful situations. Applicant is/can become familiar with Office software, actively seeking to apply technology to appropriate tasks; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the Office.  Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals. Applicant solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decision may not entirely reflect own position. 

Communication:

Ability to draft clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills.  Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.

Planning and Organizing:

Ability to establish priorities, to coordinate one’s own work plan and meet deadlines.  Applicant adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience.  However, work experience in the area of conflict management and alternative dispute resolution is an asset.

Eligibility

To qualify for consideration the following conditions must be met:

  1.  Be enrolled in a graduate school programme on conflict management and alternative dispute resolution, ideally with focus on mediation (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
  2. Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) above no longer than one year before commencing the internship

Language

Proficiency in written and spoken English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of French is desirable.  Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.

Assessment

An interview and/or a written assessment may be conducted

Conditions

The Office may accept interns provided the following conditions are met

  • Interns are not financially remunerated by the Office;
  • The costs associated must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.;
  • The Office accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.

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

Once the candidate has been selected, the following additional documents need to be submitted:

  • Copy of updated CV;
  • Official letter from University confirming enrollment in graduate program and graduation date;
  • Copy of school transcripts;
  • 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;
  • A brief cover letter setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with the Office and what is expected from the experience.

In addition, selected candidate will need to:

  • Have a valid visa to work in the US;
  • Provide proof of medical and life insurance;
  • Provide a Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician.

For more information on UNDP Internship, please visit:

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html

OFP 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.