United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
TO APPLY:
A completed online application, including a cover note and personal history profile (PHP) is required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The cover note must include:
•Title of degree that the applicant is currently pursuing;
•Graduation date (when applicant graduated or will be graduating from the programme);
•The IT skills and programmes that the applicant is proficient in;
•An explanation why the applicant is a suitable candidate for this specific position;
•An explanation of the applicant’s interest in the United Nations Internship Programme; and
•The applicant’s availability time frame for the internship.
In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills and three references.
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful applicants will be contacted.
Org. Setting and Reporting
The Examinations and Tests Section within the United Nations Office of Human Resources Management is seeking interns with a background in administration, human resources management, industrial/organisational/occupational psychology, psychometrics, and other relevant fields, interested in gaining professional, hands-on experience with recruitment, pre-employment assessment, psychometric test development and internet-based test (IBT) delivery in a large-scale, multi-cultural, global organization.
The internship is for a minimum of three months with a possibility for extension up to six months. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of the Chief of the Examinations and Tests Section.
Internships are unpaid and travel costs, travel arrangements (including visas) and living accommodations are the responsibility of the intern.
Responsibilities
This opportunity is designed for an intern to work on different phases of pre-employment assessment at the United Nations. Interns will be assigned to specific projects based on individual backgrounds and preferences. A variety of projects centred on psychometric test development and administration activities are currently on-going. Depending on the assignment, project tasks may include the following:
•Provide support in the administration of various examinations managed by the Examinations and Tests Section, including Language Competitive Examinations, the Young Professionals Programme, the Global General Service Test;
•Schedule and coordinate test administration, including in-person or internet-based;
•Item writing and review;
•Compile and analyse examinations-related quantitative data;
•Manage large sets of data (e.g., item bank);
•Administer and analyse surveys;
•Draft communication for informative purposes for candidates, hiring departments, Member States;
•Engage with a wide variety of UN managers to make sure their needs are met during the testing process;
•Support process improvement projects (e.g., test content, test format, communication plan);
•Support outreach and communication activities in social media, and
•Other administrative tasks and projects as needed.
Competencies
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, 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; 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 meet one of the following 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;
Preference will be given to applicants with an educational background in Industrial/Organisational/Occupational Psychology, Human Resources, and Quantitative Methods.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the project. However, applicants are encouraged to list all relevant work experiences in their personal history profile.
Additionally, applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications (i.e., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS) is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, Fluency in all four areas of English is required (i.e., speaking, writing, reading, listening). Fluency in French is desirable.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). 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 inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. 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.
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.
Die Flagge der Vereinten Nationen (UNO)
 Die internationale Organisation der Vereinten Nationen (UNO) bietet oft Praktikumsplätze an. Die Bewerbungsfrist endete diesmal am 29. Mai 2017. Das Praktikum dauert drei bis sechs Monate an. Da mit einer großen Zahl von Bewerbern gerechnet wurde, sind die Anforderungen entsprechend hoch: Neben der Beherrschung der englischen Sprache sollen die Kandidaten auch fließend französisch sprechen können. Den Auswahlkriterien entsprechend richtete sich der Aufruf hauptsächlich an Akademiker wenigstens mit Bachelor-Abschluss.

Erstaunlich ist dabei, dass die Organisation keinerlei Kosten übernimmt - also auch nicht für Unterkunft und Verpflegung. Angesichts der Lebenshaltungskosten am Dienstort New York wird daher ein solches Praktikum nur für zahlungskräftige Bewerber geeignet sein. Kommentare einer Diskussionsgruppe von Psychologen auf Facebook gingen etwa in die Richtung, dass entsprechende Finanzmittel besser in den Aufbau einer selbständigen Existenz investiert werden könnten. Das Angebot erwecke eher den Eindruck, als wollten sich die Vereinten Nationen ein paar Sklaven halten.

Erfahrungsberichten zufolge sind rund 200 Praktikanten am Hauptsitz der UNO in New York beschäftigt. Die Lebenskosten lassen sich verringern, wenn ein Wohnheim gewählt wird, wo es Frühstück und Abendessen gibt. Ein Praktikum kann hilfreich sein für Bewerber, die später einmal bei den Vereinten Nationen arbeiten wollen.