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.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

The UN Women Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) located in Cairo, supports programmes broadening the scope of women’s citizenship, leadership and political participation, especially in countries affected by crisis and undergoing transition. This is essential to meeting women and girls needs in crisis, and ensuring that transitions are both fully inclusive and democratic, and respond to the needs and priorities of women and girls. Additionally, and as part of broader momentum for reform across the Arab States, and towards institutionalizing gender in governance, ROAS assists efforts to make national plans and budgets fully supportive of gender equality commitments. Economic empowerment is another critical concern, therefore, ROAS engages with regional partners and civil society to advance policies and programmes that bolster women’s opportunities in this arena. Ending violence against women is another critical component of UN Women ROAS by supporting the adoption of national policy frameworks, reforming laws discriminating against women, establishing comprehensive prevention and protection services, and raising awareness of strategies to combat violence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Advisor, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action, the intern will provide the support to the following key tasks in the areas of peace, security and humanitarian action.  A work plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon commencement of the internship.

• Produce research briefs, policy memos, draft publications, draft programme documents, review the work of partners, produce talking points, produce meeting minutes, etc.
• Compile secondary data on women’s rights/gender equality across the region as it relates to humanitarian action and women, peace and security;
• Develop advocacy tools including on issues of women, peace and security and humanitarian action.
• Support the roll out of strategic communications including documenting lessons learned from partners, engaging in social media, updating UN Women’s website and Facebook page, etc.
• Support monitoring missions of partners’ work.
• Provide support in event management and administration, as needed; and,
• Engage in policy research on women’s rights and gender equality in crisis settings.  

Learning elements: 

• Increased understanding of UN Women’s work and the UN system;
• Learning different aspects of peace, security and humanitarian action in an international environment;
• Meeting and networking with UN Women colleagues in other units;
• Work as a team member in a multicultural setting (Among others).

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• The intern should be pursuing/have completed academic studies in business management, public administration, gender studies, international development, international relations, social sciences or other similar subject at post graduate level.

Language: 

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required;
• Working knowledge of Arabic or French is a distinct advantage.

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 graduation certificate or university senior year 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:

• 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 (as above) 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, sponsoring Government or institution;

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.