United Nations Internship: Social Sciences - Population, International Migration, Youth

Posting Title: Intern - Social Sciences - Population, International Migration, Youth, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN - SOCIAL SCIENCES

Department/Office: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand

Posting Period: 13 August 2020 - 30 July 2021

Job Opening Number: 20-Social Affairs-ESCAP-139707-J-Bangkok (O)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Social Development Division/ Sustainable Demographic Transition Section internship is for 2-6 months.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the Sustainable Demographic Transition Section.

The Social Development Division consists of three sections namely: 1) Sustainable Demographic Transition Section (SDTS); 2) Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation Section (SETS) and 3) Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section (GESIS), covering the thematic areas of inequality and social protection, population dynamics, ageing, migration, gender equality, disability and youth.

The Sustainable Demographic Transition Section (SDTS) monitors and analyses trends and formulates policy options to address population and development issues of concern to Asian and Pacific Member States, including ageing, international migration and youth.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and assigned office, as well as the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Undertaking literature reviews, analysis and compilation of data from secondary sources on: population trends and demographic changes and their implications on sustainable development; international migration; population ageing and its impact on sustainable development, including access to social protection for older persons and the rights of older persons; and engaging youth in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

• Assisting in organizing meetings, including attending to all relevant preparations.

• Reviewing working papers and reports for accuracy and clarity, and editing, if required.

• Developing audio-visual materials, i.e. PowerPoint presentations or info charts, to communicate policy messages to non-technical audiences.

• Performing other duties as might be assigned by staff concerned and/or the Chief of Section.

Competencies

The United Nations Core Competencies include:

•Communication:
-Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
-Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
-Asks questions for clarification, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
-Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

•Teamwork:
-Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
-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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

•Client Orientation:
-Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
-Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
-Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
-Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
-Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
-Meets timelines for delivery of products or services to clients

•Planning & Organizing:
-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
-Uses time efficiently

Education

Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
1) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
2) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
3) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

Have demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of different opinions and views.

Studies in social science, economics or other relevant areas required.

Work Experience

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, particularly Russian, is desirable.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:

1. A completed application (Personal History Profile) through the United Nations careers portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

2. An accompanying letter (cover note) that includes:
•Title of the degree you are currently studying.
•Graduation date (when you will graduate from the programme).
•List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
•Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship.

3. A letter from your university clearly indicating the status of your enrollment, programme you are enrolled in and the anticipated date of graduation from the programme.

4. A certified copy of the degree certificate (if already graduated).

Please note that due to the large number of application, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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