Internship in Bangkok, Thailand Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
The TRADE, INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION DIVISION is looking for an intern who will support the work of Technology and Innovation Section for 4-6 months, pending on the needs of the department.
Science, technology and innovation (STI) is new mandate for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. This new work stream will support member States to effectively harness science, technology and innovation to meet the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The internship position offers an opportunity to apply technical and practical knowledge of innovation principles and change management in the context of the United Nations. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
| Responsibilities | |
| The candidate, under the overall guidance of the Chief of Technology and Innovation (TIS), Trade, Investment and Innovation Division and direct supervision of the TIS Professional staff, is expected to undertake the following activities in relation to the TIS work programme: Daily responsibilities will depend on the intern’s background and the work of intern’s supervisor as well as the internship period. The candidate is also expected to undertake the following activities: 1. Provide assistance on research studies on a broad range of science, technology and innovation topics such as technology and innovation policy for the SDGs, women’s entrepreneurship, social enterprise, inclusive business models and innovative financing. 2. Collect and analyze information/data. 3. Provide assistance on intergovernmental processes. 4. Provide assistance in the preparation of expert group meetings. 5. Provide assistance in taking note/minutes of meetings and events. 6. Present on the work undertaken during internship, or on related research work, at an internal brown bag seminar. 7. Provide other assistance as needed. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Due to COVID-19 pandemics, the internship will take place from remote instead of in-person unless the selected candidate is already currently residing in Bangkok, Thailand. | |
| Competencies | |
| 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. Optional Competencies 4. Creativity: • Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; • Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; • Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; • Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; • Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; • Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. 5. Technological Awareness: • Keeps abreast of available technology; • Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; • Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; • Shows willingness to learn new technology. | |
| Education | |
| To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: •Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: a)be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), preferably in the areas of Innovation Management, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Communications, Creative Design, or related areas; b)be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or c)have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. •Have proficiency in design tools (proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop considered an advantage); •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 try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. | |
| Work Experience | |
| Languages | |
| English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. | |
| Assessment | |
| Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. | |
| Special Notice | |
| REMOTE INTERNSHIPS (COVID-19) “In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.” Interested candidates must complete an online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: – Title of degree you are currently pursuing – Graduation Date – Period of availability for taking internship. (The availability for more than 4-month internship could be an advantage) – List of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in – List of top three areas of interest/department preferences – Explanation why you are the best candidate for this post – Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references. Should a profile be selected for consideration, the applicant will be contacted directly by the Division. Please note that due to the large number of applicants, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration. | |
| United Nations Considerations | |
| According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. | |