Closing date:

Intern - Information management

City/location:
Geneva
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

14-IMA-UNISDR-36248-R-GENEVA (O)

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences.

Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA); campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the development of the post-2015 disaster risk reduction framework (HFA2) and the organization of the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015 in Japan.

This internship position is located in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Intern will report to the Senior Programme Officer of the Information Management Unit, supervised by the PreventionWeb Managing Editor.

The expected start date of the internship is 3 August 2014, for a maximum duration of six months ( or less depending on the interns availability).

Responsibilities

  • Perform Internet-based research to identify disaster risk reduction (DRR) content and sources for publication on PreventionWeb.net in English (other languages, if applicable) to extend PreventionWeb’s coverage of country/region, thematic and hazard sections.
  • Enter relevant DRR documents, events, jobs, news and policy into the PreventionWeb content management system for publication on the website (keyword selection, abstract writing in English [other languages, if applicable], and web formatting).
  • Validate and enter relevant DRR source organizations and assist in maintaining their DRR organization profiles.
  • Assist in responding to PreventionWeb user comments and requests by sending appropriate communication.
  • Undertake quality control of information as necessary, including analysis of gaps and targeted research.
  • Support, and participate in, other information management related tasks and projects matching academic background and linked to the redesign of the PreventionWeb.

Expected results:

  • Expansion of the online collection of qualified DRR related content and sources;
  • Contribution to the ongoing development of PreventionWeb publishing policy guidelines inclusive of good practices in application of metadata and selection of content;
  • Contribution to ongoing PreventionWeb redesign, stakeholder needs assessment and development of targeted collections;
  • Continuous learning and contribution on the subject of DRR within the application of good information management practices.

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
time, -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated

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 timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
  • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, much commence the internship within a one year period of graduation from an academic programme. Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted.

The University degree must be in the area of communications, Information Management and/or Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Ecology, Development, International Relations, Economics, or related fields.

Work Experience

  • Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme;
  • Be computer literate in standard software applications; Have a strong internet research skills; Knowledge of basic HTML and photo, audio or video editing a plus; Interest in disaster risk reduction issues.
  • 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 includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Explore further

Country and region Switzerland
Share this

Also featured on

Is this page useful?

Yes No Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).