Internship Programs

UNAIDS Internships

Unpaid Internships

The goal of the UNAIDS internship program is to provide candidates with an environment conducive to the practical application of the knowledge acquired in their academic training and to the development of network. Working at the agency can be a great experience to someone who seeks more knowledge about combating HIV, especially in the african continent.

In pursuit of its mission, the OpenIGO network has prepared a comprehensive eBook and support and guidance services, with the aim of highly increasing your chances of success in these competitive processes. These services include revising your UN internships application documents (curriculum vitae/resume and cover letter) and a mock interview, as per the United Nations model. We also offer a range of packages that combine the eBook with different services.

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UN Internships – PDF eBook

UNAIDS Overview

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was created in 1996 with the mission of fighting against AIDS around the world. For that purpose, it has provided treatment and assistance to HIV Carriers and sought ways to reduce the socio-economic impacts of the virus proliferation. Headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland), the program manages to integrate a network of actors (government, companies and civil society) so they act conjointly, searching for solutions to enable accessible and effective policies to all in fight against HIV. For that reason, UNAIDS has helped to expand the reach of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

UNAIDS‘ main focus: Fighting and preventing contamination by HIV throughout the world.

Themes addressed by UNAIDS:

AIDS and SDGs
Human Rights
HIV Prevention and Treatment
Security and Humanitarian Affairs
Gender
Social Protection

Description of the UNAIDS Internship

What are the fields of study required for the UNAIDS 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:

Health
Finance
Social Services
Economics
Public Administration
Security
Law

It is recommended to have knowledge or experience in themes related to global health and HIV/AIDS.

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

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:

Reports and documents preparation;
Carry out research on themes relevant to the agency;
Provide administrative support;
Take part in training and meetings with employees of the agency;
Help organize events.

What is the duration of the UNAIDS Internship?

The internship period ranges from at least 6 weeks to up to 3 months at most.

What is the weekly workload of the UNAIDS Internship?

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

Where are the locations of the UNAIDS Internship?

Most openings are available for the UNAIDS’ headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). There may be opportunities at other units, which are spread, chiefly, in the african continent.

When does the UNAIDS 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 UNAIDS 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 twelve 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.

UNAIDS Internship - Salary

The internship is unpaid.

UNAIDS Internship - Requirements

What is the education requirement of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

Be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s or PhD), or;
Be enrolled in the last school year of an undergraduate school program (Bachelor’s level or equivalent).

What is the language requirement of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

Fluency in English is required and proficiency in the language of the region where the internship is located may also be a requirement. Knowledge of another language in the UN System (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) will be an advantage in the selection process.

What is the age requirement of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

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

What is the nationality requirement of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

Applicants can be citizens of a UN member state, but the agency also accepts and encourages candidates from non-member states or under-represented nations.

What are the competencies required for the UNAIDS Internship Program?

The main competencies required are: teamwork, communication, high-quality results oriented, enthusiasm, and ownership.

Other requirements:

Candidates must have an interest in the work of the United Nations and uphold its principles and ideals. They must be open to diversity and tolerant to different cultures, beliefs and points of view;
Knowledge in conventional software (Word, Excel, Power Point);
For candidates who are HIV carriers, the only criteria is that they have a medical statement declaring their fitness to work.

What are the restrictions of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

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

UNAIDS Internship - Application process

When to apply for the UNAIDS Internship Program?

Application deadlines vary depending on the openings and the needs of the organization. Therefore, it is important to search for internship opportunities on our website and social media platforms.

How to apply for the UNAIDS Internship Program?

The internship application process is done via the UNAIDS 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;
Filling out the application form;
Submit the application.

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

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.

How is the UNAIDS 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 interview consists mainly of objective questions about themes of International Relations and Global Health.

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

Cover Note/Letter;
CV/résumé;
Proof of enrollment in a university and/or date of course completion.

What is the evaluation criteria of the UNAIDS Internship Program?

Candidates will be evaluated regarding the relevance of their previous educational and professional experiences to the agency’s field of activities. They will also be evaluated with regards to their expectations of the work and knowledge of global health and UNAIDS’ efforts.

Other information:

UNAIDS encourages applications from HIV carriers, but there is no obligation from the candidate to disclose that information. The agency also supports the application of women. Through these practices, it expects to promote diversity and social inclusion in its roster of employees, as well as reducing gender inequality.

UNAIDS Internship - Costs

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. The only insurance made available by UNAIDS is an insurance that covers work-related accidents.

Accommodation:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for accommodation expenses during 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.