UN ECA Job Openings

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

-Title of degree you are currently pursuing
-Expected Graduation Date
-IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
-Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
-Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship ProgrammeIn your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, IT skills and three references.

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

These positions are located in the Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa (SRO-EA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Kigali, Rwanda. The interns will report to the Chief, Sub-Regional Data Centre (P5) and/or the Cluster Lead, Sub-Regional Initiatives (P4). For more information on the ECA and its work, please visit our website: www.uneca.org.

These internships are for a period of three months, 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.

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Sub-Regional Data Centre and/or the Chief, Sub-Regional Data Centre, and in close collaboration with professional staff of the cluster, and depending on their level of experience and training, the intern at the SRO-EA 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
-Assist 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.

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.

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;Be computer literate in standard software applications;

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

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.

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. Knowledge of MS Office, demonstrate ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural background and belief are desirable.

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

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

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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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 At-a-Glance on “The Application Process” and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.