Intern – Economic Affairs (multiple positions) [Temporary] at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA): (Deadline 25 November 2021)

ECA’s mission, objective and strategic directions.

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. 

Subregional Office for Eastern Africa

The Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) is located in Kigali (Rwanda). It is headed by a Director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). Its core objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable development in the subregion, with a focus on deepening regional integration.

The core functions are as follows:
(a) Assisting member States through initiatives, advisory services and tailored capacity-building interventions in the context of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, including through technical studies and country profiles addressing structural transformation;
(b) Contributing to strengthening the capacity of member States in the Eastern Africa subregion, the regional economic communities and intergovernmental bodies to develop and implement development frameworks, including on the blue economy.

Under the supervision of the Chief, Regional Integration and AfCFTA Cluster (P5) and/or the Cluster Lead, Sub-Regional Initiatives (P4), and in close collaboration with professional staff of the cluster, and depending on their level of experience and training, the intern at the Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa will be responsible for the following duties:

-Produces analytical, quantitative and qualitative elements required for the elaboration of documents and reports;
-Researches and analyzes topics relating to sustainable economic development in Eastern Africa;
-Drafts and edits publications, papers and other documents;
-Liaises with SRO-EA stakeholders on key development topics for Africa;
-Supports organization of meetings and events
-Assists with outreach activities;
-Participates in day-to-day operational tasks of the Division. This may include servicing requests for information; support for developing presentations; liaison with partner organizations;
-Performs administrative tasks as assigned.
-Performs any other tasks as assigned.

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

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 decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and 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.

1. To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

(a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); if pursuing studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and
graduate stages, have completed at least four years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree;
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation;

2. Be computer literate in standard software applications;

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

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

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in either English or French is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable.

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

The internship is UNPAID and full time. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

A completed online application (including Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include:
– Degree programme (what are you currently studying?);
– Graduation date (when will you or when did you graduate from the programme?); -any
– List the IT skills or software applications that you are proficient in;
– Explain why you are the best candidate for this internship;
– Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

In your Personal History Profile, be sure list all your past work experience, your IT skills, and three references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Please note that this is an on-going advertisement for 6 months. Successful candidates may be contacted at any time during the posting period or shortly thereafter.

These internships are for a period of three months (3), with an opportunity for extension up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Section.

The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.