Intern - Information Management

15-IMA-UNISDR-43071-R-GENEVA (O)

United Nations Core Values:

Integrity ● Professionalism ● Respect for diversity

Special Notice

Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies and/or skills and expertise. Applicants are asked to please indicate preferences which best match his/her suitability and do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both the intern and the receiving UN department.

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.

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 international strategy for disaster reduction, now the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015; 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 of all stakeholder groups in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices. This internship position is located in the Advocacy and Outreach Section/Information Management Unit of the UNISDR in Geneva, Switzerland. The Intern will report to the Managing Editor of PreventionWeb. The UNISDR/Advocacy and Outreach Section/Information Management PreventionWeb internship is for duration of three (3) months with possibility of extension to a maximum period of six (6) months. The estimated start date is 8 June 2015.

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, DRR Expertise and How to Do DRR knowledge services.
• Enter and/or review 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 and partnerships.
• Assist in responding to PreventionWeb user comments and requests by sending appropriate communication, including providing support to internal and external clients.
• Undertake quality control of information as necessary, including analysis of gaps and targeted research.
• Participate in user research, interviews and identification of communities of practice for co-curation of sections and new knowledge service development.
• Support, and participate in, other information management related tasks and projects matching academic background and linked to the development of PreventionWeb knowledge products and services.

Expected results

• Expansion of the online collection of qualified DRR related content and sources, including 'DRR Expertise' and 'How to Do DRR';
• Contribution to the ongoing development of PreventionWeb publishing policy guidelines inclusive of good practices in application of metadata (keywords) and selection of content;
• Contribution to ongoing PreventionWeb knowledge service design, stakeholder needs assessment and development of targeted collections;
• Continuous learning and contribution on the subject of DRR within the application of good information and knowledge 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
• 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)
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
• 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/Knowledge Management and/or Disaster/Risk 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; but applicants should:

• Be computer literate in standard software applications; Have a strong internet research skills; Knowledge of content curation/blogging, basic HTML and photo, audio or video editing a plus; Interest in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and development 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 is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Assessment Method

Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profile (PHP). Individual interviews may be conducted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.

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;
• Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position. In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, if any; IT skills and three (3) references.

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

United Nations Considerations

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.

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.