Internship Programs

CTBTO Internships

Paid Internships

The goal of the CTBTO internship program is to enable students interested in the work developed at CTBTO to put into practice knowledge acquired in their education and gain a more comprehensive view of the organization’s activities. Therefore, this internship program is suitable for anyone looking for practical experience in the area of international security, specifically in the sphere of nuclear test monitoring.

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Organization overview

Headquartered in Vienna (Austria), the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (whose goal is to ban nuclear explosions worldwide) and establish a verification regime that enables detection of all nuclear tests. The agency has been building a modern, complex global system to detect nuclear tests. When the abovementioned treaty is ratified by the remaining countries, it will be replaced by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

Organization’s main focus: To promote the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Themes addressed by the organization:

International Security

Description of the internship program

Fields of study:

This internship program includes students and recent graduates from the most diverse fields of knowledge. The areas of study with the highest demand in this program are:

Human Resources Management
Marketing
Journalism
Communications
Business Administration
Social Sciences
Law
Political Science
Public Information
International Relations
History

Internship activities:

The activities performed vary according to the opening and the requirements of the different departments to which interns are allocated. However, generally speaking, the main duties are:

Support administrative and operational activities;
Carry out research and collect and analyze data on topics relevant to the agency’s work;
Write and review reports, articles and other types of documents;
Take part in training sessions and events with other agency members;
Help to disclose CTBTO information to the general public.

Duration:

From three months to one year.

Weekly workload:

The internship programs are full-time. Interns shall therefore work between 35 and 40 hours per week.

Locations:

The openings are for CTBTO headquarters in Vienna (Austria).

When the internship start:

The initial date of the internship shall be coordinated between the intern and the organization.

Feedback following the internship:

At the end of the internship, the supervisor is in charge of preparing an assessment report of the intern’s performance.

Subsequent employment:

Participation in the internship is not related to future employment with the agency. During the internship period and within six months immediately after the program you will not be eligible to apply for or be appointed to any effective position in the organization. However, the work experience in the agency will be a distinctive feature in your curriculum, which may facilitate your hiring by other organizations inside or outside the UN System.

Payment

Interns who do not receive financial support from their university or national government may receive a stipend from CTBTO. The amount is divided into two parts: 500 euros for basic subsistence expenses and another 500 euros as housing aid. The maximum value, therefore, is 1000 euros.

Requirements

Education:

Having completed at least 2 years of an undergraduate degree, or;
Having completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in the past 2 years.

Language:

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) may be an asset in the selection process.

Age:

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.

Nationality:

Applicants must be a citizen of a CTBTO member state.

Competencies:

The main competencies required are: professionalism, planning and organizing, communication, teamwork, technological awareness and client orientation.

Other requirements:

Most internships require no work experience. However, previous experiences may be an advantage in the selection process.

Restrictions:

An applicant may not be a child or sibling of any organization staff member.

Application process

When to apply:

Applications for internships are normally submitted throughout the year. All internship openings are disclosed on the CTBTO E-recruitment System. Candidates must submit their application according to the requirements for each available opening.

How to apply:

The internship application process is done via the CTBTO E-recruitment System, where all openings are published, and comprises the following steps:

Initial registration;
Filling out the candidate profile (academic and professional background);
Search for an opening in your field of interest;
Submit the application.

Phases of the selection process:

The selection process may vary depending on the department or office to which the intern is applying, but generally comprises the following steps:

Creating a profile and preparing an application;
Submitting the application;
Evaluation of the application;
Competency-based interview;
Selection notifications.

Interview:

Usually, only selected applicants will be contacted for the interview, which lasts about 30 minutes and may be done via Skype or phone. The main points covered in the interview vary according to the opening and department chosen. In general, however, the questions address subjective or behavioral aspects, such as your expectations about the job, your interests in the area of expertise you are applying for and your previous experiences.

Documents to submit:

The application process requires you to submit:

CV/résumé;
Two letter of recommendation.

Evaluation criteria:

You will be evaluated regarding your previous experience, skills and competencies, and educational background.

Costs incurred

The organization offers no financial aid to cover costs related to preparing for or doing the internship. However, you may request financial aid from a sponsoring institution, for example, a university and/or government agency in your country.

Visa:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of obtaining the visa (if needed to do the internship).

Insurance:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs of enrolling in a valid global medical insurance plan. Interns with no health insurance coverage must participate in the CTBTO’s medical scheme.

Accommodation:

The agency can provide up to 500 euros for housing expenses.