Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland. In-person presence at the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is preferred where possible. Remote or hybrid arrangements may be considered, taking into account the needs and circumstances of the successful candidate and the requirements of the Unit.

Expected duration

3-6 months. Additional Information Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in oversight and evaluation within the United Nations system. The internship is unpaid and full-time, with interns working five days a week (40 hours). The JIU is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations system, mandated to conduct system-wide reviews. Its role is to enhance management and administrative efficiency and promote greater coordination among United Nations agencies, as well as with other internal and external oversight bodies. In its reviews, the Unit identifies best practices, proposes benchmarks, makes observations and evidence-based recommendations, and facilitates information-sharing across its participating organizations, which have adopted its Statute and currently comprise 28 organizations of the United Nations system. Review teams are composed of Inspector(s), Evaluation and Inspection Officer(s), and a Research Assistant. Interns at the JIU support review teams assigned to specific reviews, under the direct supervision of the assigned Evaluation and Inspection Officer and under the technical direction of the Inspector(s) in charge of the review, with additional day-to-day guidance from the assigned Research Assistant, as applicable.

Qualifications/special skills

Competency: Applicants should demonstrate teamwork, openness to others’ ideas and expertise, willingness to learn, and the ability to plan, prioritize and use time efficiently. Familiarity with the responsible use of digital tools, including AI-assisted tools, to support research, analysis, drafting and knowledge management is desirable, while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and appropriate human review. Applicants must have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter Skills: Applicants must be proficient in standard software applications, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Strong research and analytical skills, clear and concise drafting skills in English, organizational skills, attention to detail, reliability in meeting commitments and deadlines, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment are required. Good knowledge of advanced qualitative and quantitative data analysis and visualization software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools would be an advantage. Academic Qualifications: Applicants to the United Nations Internship Programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in a field relevant to the work of the JIU, such as public administration, public policy, international relations, data science, statistics, social sciences, law, management or economics; or (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of, or have recently completed, a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants are not required to have professional work experience to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, their training, education, advanced coursework or skills should benefit the United Nations during the internship. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of an additional official United Nations language is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

United Nations Office at Geneva

JIU Research and Analysis Intern