Internship Programs

JIU Internships

Unpaid Internships

The goal of the JIU Internship Program is to offer the opportunity for students interested in international development and the work of the UN to gain practical experience in topics related to evaluation research and information technology. Thus, there are two internship programs at the agency: i) Research Internship and ii) Information Technology Internship. Each program requires candidates with different qualities and backgrounds in order to support the institution’s projects and provide administrative support.

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JIU Overview

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) is a United Nations unit that inspects and assesses the fulfillment of organizational goals by other institutions in the UN system. Thus, the JIU seeks to promote greater coordination and efficiency within the United Nations, improving the transparency and accountability of the organizations in relation to people management, financial processes and the sharing of information by the system. The unit’s work is summarized in three main activities: a) Inspections; b) Evaluations and c) Investigations. Through these services, JIU develops reports, notes and management/confidential letters in order to improve administration methods among participating organizations.

JIU’s main focus: Increasing efficiency, coordination and information sharing within the UN System.

Themes addressed by the JIU:

Inspecting, evaluating, and investigating the operation of organizations;
Assuring Member States that activities undertaken are cost-effective;
Improving efficiency and increasing productivity;
Conducting risk management analyses;
Selecting and reporting on key issues and risk areas in individual organizations and across the United Nations system;
Examining opportunities for programme delivery improvement;
Increasing coordination and harmonization among organizations;
Benchmarking and facilitating information- sharing;
Identifying specific and cross-organizational issues where JIU involvement adds value;
Monitoring the implementation of recommendations;
Assisting agencies in simplifying their rules and procedures to improve management and administration;
Assessing and advising organizations on their internal oversight mechanisms.

Description of the JIU Internship

What are the fields of study required for the JIU Internship?

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:

Management
Public administration
International Law
Finance
Development economics
International relations
Political science
Human rights
Inter-agency coordination
Humanitarian assistance
Project and fund management
Programme and policy analysis
Development assistance
Other social sciences and related fields

What are the tasks performed by the selected for the JIU Internship?

Contribute to researches (desk review, review of basic documentation);
Drafting work;
Comparative analysis;
Preparation of questionnaires;
Interview guides;
Analysis of information received;
Participation in interviews;
Preparation of minutes;
Preparation of analytical charts, graphs, tables, etc.
Validation of proposals
Liaison with Participating Organizations

What is the duration of the JIU Internship?

The duration of the internship is up to 6 months.

What is the weekly workload of the JIU Internship?

Those selected usually work on a full-time basis (up to 40 hours per week).

Where are the locations of the JIU Internship?

Vacancies are for the JIU’s Headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland).

When does the JIU Internship start?

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

Is there any feedback following the completion of the JIU Internship?

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

Subsequent employment:

The internship program does not presuppose the candidate’s future employability at JIU, but the internship experience will be a differential in your curriculum that may facilitate employment in other organizations within or outside the UN System.

JIU Internship - Salary

The internship is unpaid.

JIU Internship - Requirements

What is the education requirement of the JIU Internship Program?

Be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s or PhD), or;
Be enrolled in the last year of an undergraduate program (Bachelor’s), or;
Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course in the last 12 months.

What is the language requirement of the JIU Internship Program?

Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another language in the UN System may be an advantage in the selection process.

What is the age requirement of the JIU Internship Program?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.

What is the nationality requirement of the JIU Internship Program?

Applicants must be citizens of a UN member state.

What are the competencies required for the JIU Internship Program?

The main competencies required are:

Fully proficient in web-based research including use of online databases;
Experienced in the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, including ability to readily prepare tables and charts and maintain and update databases via excel;
Advanced Information Technology (IT) skills (for IT internship candidates only).

What are the restrictions of the JIU Internship Program?

The candidate must not be a child or sibling of a United Nations official.

JIU Internship - Application process

When to apply for the JIU Internship Program?

Applications are received and reviewed year-round on a rolling basis depending on the needs of JIU.

How to apply for the JIU Internship Program?

To apply for the internship program, you must send the required documents to the following email: JIUInternships@unog.ch

What are the phases of the selection process for the JIU Internship Program?

The selection process generally comprises the following steps:

Submitting the application;
Evaluation of the application;
Competency-based interview;
Selection notifications.

How is the EBRD Internship Program 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.

What are the documents to submit for the EBRD Internship Program?

Cover Letter
Writing Sample (in English)
JIU Application Form: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=148963&Lang=en-US

What is the evaluation criteria of the EBRD Internship Program?

You will be evaluated regarding your previous experiences and skills, as well as your educational background.

EBRD Internship - Costs

Visa:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements related to obtaining the visa required for the internship at JIU.

Insurance:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs resulting from accidents and/or illnesses incurred during the internship and you must present medical insurance valid for the region where the agency operates.

Accommodation:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the expenses related to the necessary accommodation throughout the internship period.

Other:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of the trip to the workplace to which you have been assigned.