INTERN - ECONOMIC AFFAIRS [Temporary]

The Internship is located in the Subregional Office for West Africa (SROWA) at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Niamey. The internship is for three (3) months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the Office. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The intern will work for five days per week under the supervision of the Director.

The Subregional Office for West Africa consists of three sections, namely, the Demographic Dynamics for Development (DDD), the subregional Initiatives (SRI) and the Administration.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section, the incumbent will carry out the following functions in collecting data and conducting research in the area of regional economic integration. Specific tasks include the following:

Conduct research on recent developments in the four areas of sub regional economic integration identified in (trade and investment, connectivity, financial cooperation, and cooperation to address shared vulnerabilities) among West African countries;

Identify and collect relevant data, as needed, related to the four areas of sub regional economic integration mentioned above;

Provide as well needed support to organization of workshops, ad hoc meeting of expert to identify and collect relevant data as feedback of participants and conduct statistical analysis of data related for recommendations;

Conduct statistical analyzes of data related to the four areas of regional economic integration, and prepare summary tables, graphs, and other inputs, as needed, for the section’s future publications and documents;

Prepare a brief summarizing the main the findings and lessons learned from the internship, and make a short presentation to the section’s professional staff.

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 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 and 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.

Planning & Organizing:
•Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; •Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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.

Others Skills : 1) Have a demonstrated and keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and 2) Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

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

1) Applications must meet one of the following educational requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (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.

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. Fluency in French is required for this internship. Knowledge of another UN language, preferably English, is an advantage.

Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview by the hiring managers.

A complete 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
Graduation Date (when will you be graduating from the programme)
List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
List your top three areas of interest/department preferences

Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship ProgrammeIn your Personal History Profile, please also include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references.

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. Please note that this is an on-going advertisement until February 2022. Successful candidates may be contacted at any time during the posting period or shortly thereafter.

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.