Internship/Traineeship Training Tools

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

MDP designs and delivers Core Diplomatic Training activities (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 face-to-face training activities at country and regional levels in close partnership with national training institutes, universities and selected international organizations.

MDP activities also include e-Learning courses and activities; 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The intern/trainee will assist in updating the Glossary of Terms for UN Delegates in English and in French and provide assistance in updating the Programme’s website as well as in the development of different training tools. The intern/trainee will also assist in the development, coordination and implementation of on-line and face-to-face training events for the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme. Typical tasks assigned to the intern/trainee may include the following:

• To update the Glossary of Terms for UN delegates in English and French.
• To assist in updating the website of the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme.
• To provide support in the coordination of Core Diplomatic Training and Customized Training activities, including liaising with beneficiaries and moderators/trainers, to ensure the delivery of effective and successful training programmes.
• To facilitate e-Learning courses including developing the skills needed to upload new courses and to create new course activities to enhance online learning.
• To maintain and develop UNITAR’s communication database to ensure the efficient and effective dissemination of information and coordination amongst the global diplomatic community.
• To draft programme proposals and evaluation reports.
• To liaise directly with partner organizations and beneficiaries. Tasks may include the preparation of key data such as programme statistics and research for possible cooperation.

The tasks assigned may be reviewed during the 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 law, political science, international relations, history, communications, languages, education or a related subject.

Candidates do not necessarily need to be enrolled in a post-graduate programme at the time of application and during the internship/traineeship. Please note that the status of intern is granted to candidates still enrolled in a post-graduate programme, while candidates having completed their education are considered as trainees.  

Candidates should have: a good knowledge of the United Nations; ability to write in a clear and concise manner; strong analytical and research skills; administrative and organizational skills to assist in the organization and coordination of training activities; good computer skills (to deal with content management systems, e-learning tools, word processing, excel, power point, internet search, etc.) and a high level of individual responsibility, commitment, creativity and initiative. Excellent knowledge of English and French is required; ability to work in additional languages (particularly in Spanish) would be an advantage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After the assignment the intern/trainee should be able to:

• Translate strategic visions into actionable objectives;
• Work independently and take initiative;
• Propose ways to further UNITAR’s mission;
• Work in a multicultural environment.

DATES AND DURATION
Start date: October 2013 (exact date to be confirmed).
Duration: four to six months. The internship/traineeship programme is normally on a full-time basis and interns/trainees 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/traineeship.

HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and motivation letter to jennifer.hahn@unitar.org with the subject line “Internship – Training Tools”.

The deadline for all applications is Friday 13 September, 2013.