Internship/Traineeship Opportunity e-Learning

The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) maintains an internship programme for students interested in gaining professional experience in a multicultural environment and enhancing their understanding of the United Nations system.

MDP designs and delivers the Institute’s core diplomacy training (CDT), consisting primarily of orientation briefings and short, intensive skills development workshops which benefit cumulatively some 2,500 diplomats yearly at the United Nations Headquarters and other venues where the Organization maintains a significant presence.

Parallel to CDT, MDP develops and delivers training activities at country and regional levels in close partnership with national training institutes, universities and selected international organizations. MDP activities also including e-Learning; special projects, including advisory services related to the curriculum development of diplomatic academies; and the development of other training tools, including the much acclaimed Glossary for UN Delegates and a Manual on United Nations Conference Processes, Procedures and Negotiations.  

MDP welcomes qualified candidates interested to work for a period of four to six months, on an unpaid basis, at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva.

BACKGROUND

In line with the Institute’s efforts to improve its training activities, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is developing an unprecedented number of new online training courses in the field of multilateral diplomacy and United Nations affairs in 2010. These e-Learning courses are designed to complement UNITAR’s standard or face-to-face training courses and workshops offered to the diplomatic community in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, in addition to the increasing number of courses and workshops organized at the country level.
In this context, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is developing a strategic growth plan to enhance development of its framework of e-Learning courses, including: Climate Change Diplomacy, United Nations Rules of Procedure, Human Rights and the United Nations System. This online training programme targets government officials from ministries, diplomats and officials from other government agencies involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Manager, the intern will assist in the development, coordination and implementation of training events for the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme.  The intern would assist in, inter alia, designing and managing new online courses and working to engage the diplomatic community, international organizations, multinational corporations, and other public and private institutions for partnership development. The intern would also be responsible for assisting in other general liaison and communications activities. Typical tasks assigned to the intern may include the following:

• To support colleagues in the development of new e-Learning courses, to be offered online during 2013-2014, including developing the skills needed to upload new courses and to create new course activities to enhance online learning.
• To liaise directly with partner organisations and beneficiaries in the preparation for the delivery of online courses.  Tasks may include preparing key data such as programme statistics and evaluation reports.
• To maintain and develop UNITAR’s communication database to ensure the efficient and effective dissemination of information and coordination amongst the global diplomatic community.

The tasks assigned may be reviewed during contract period to reflect changes in programme needs and priorities.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates should possess a university-level undergraduate qualification (Bachelors degree, licence or other) either in communications, marketing, law, political science, international relations, history, languages or a related subject.

Candidates should also have: a good knowledge of the United Nations; ability to write in a clear and concise manner; analytical and research skills; administrative and organizational skills to assist in the organization of training activities; computer skills (to deal with e-Learning tools, word processing, excel, power point, internet search, etc.) and a high level of individual responsibility, commitment and initiative.

DATES AND DURATION

Start date: As soon as possible (exact date to be confirmed).

Duration: four to six months. The internship programme is normally on a full-time basis and interns are expected to work five days a week. Requests for part-time arrangements are possible, and should be agreed before the start of the internship.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of English or French and a very good command of the other; ability to work in additional languages would be an advantage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After the assignment the intern should be able to:

• Translate strategic vision into actionable objectives;
• Work independently and take initiative;
• Develop a professional rapport with UNITAR staff;
• Propose ways to further UNITAR’s mission;
• Work in a multicultural environment.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send CV and motivation letter to mdp-elearning@unitar.org with a subject line “Internship - MDP”.  The deadline for all applications is September 15, 2013.