Department/ Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Duty Station: GENEVA
Posting Period: 8 October 2013-7 December 2013
Job Opening number: 13-IMA-OCHA-31023-R-GENEVA
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
Under the aegis of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/182, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has established the Field Information Services (FIS) section as an integral part of the Corporate Programme Division (CPD). FIS is responsible for strengthening the information management capacity of OCHA in both disaster preparedness and response. The roles of the section are:
- Facilitate the effective strategic management of OCHA's field information domain, i.e. the range and volume of information that OCHA acquires, generates and disseminates.
- Provide coordination and leadership in the application of information management in disaster preparedness and response, helping to assure that the information resources and information management expertise required by OCHA to function effectively in emergencies is available.
- Build sustainable partnerships in advance of disasters that directly contribute to the predictable exchange of information in emergencies.
FIS is seeking interns who are interested in the intersection of technology and humanitarian affairs. OCHA and partner agencies are currently undertaking projects at all levels aimed at improving information management and better incorporating new information and communication technologies, as well as technologically based actors, into the humanitarian system. Potential interns for summer 2014 will have either technical, policy, or research related interests in this area. Members of the FIS team have existing projects or project ideas that interns may be able to support, but are also open to project proposals from prospective interns.
Examples of existing technical projects include: Design and development of new processes, procedures, workflows for OCHA to provide remote information management support during emergencies; data and information visualization projects; database development/management for information management; standardization initiatives; mapping and geospatial projects; and general development of new processes, procedures, workflows and operations for FIS and the wider system.
Examples of existing/possible Research or Policy related projects include: Issues of sovereignty and intervention in the digital age, for example, Is the age of participation eroding the traditional powers of nation states? How are digital humanitarians adhering or not adhering to sovereignty? What are nation states doing in response to this trend? Where is internet governance going?
Change management and institutional reform: Specifically regarding reorganization and strategy projects within large international institutions; and specifically in relation to the adoption of new technologies.
The effectiveness of Coordination Bodies: Specifically in relation to the potential of the Digital Humanitarian Network to coordinate partnership between OCHA, the wider humanitarian system, and emerging Volunteer & Technical Communities (also referred to as digital humanitarians); analysis would be required as to the best models for the facilitation of collaboration, conflict resolution, funding arrangements, and negotiation processes.
Organizational development for Volunteer & Technical Communities:
Moving forward from existing research, conducting primary research with representatives of the V&TCs to determine issues of organizational structure and governance within network organizations.
The intern, based in Geneva, Switzerland, will be reporting on a daily basis to a Programme Officer within FIS.
Responsibilities
The intern will support the overall goals and objectives of ISS by:
- Providing support to members of FIS on information management projects; assisting with remote and technical support during crisis simulations and/or demonstrations;
- facilitating communication and collaboration between FIS, other humanitarian agencies, and the Digital Humanitarian Network;
- drafting research or policy documents aimed at improving the integration of digital humanitarians, information and communication technologies, and new techniques in humanitarian response;
- identifying possible areas of interest for further research or academic projects;
- and networking and outreach with other organizations, networks, think tanks, academics or professionals who are also working on or are interested in the intersection of technology and humanitarian affairs.
Competencies
PLANNING & ORGANIZING:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
- identifies priority activities and assignments - adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
- foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
- uses time efficiently.
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.
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; knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly advanced user certification of MS Access, MS Excel, MS Project and MS Word) is desirable.
Education
Applicants must be currently enrolled in an advanced-level university degree programme (i.e. Masters, graduate, post-graduate, doctorate degree or equivalent), preferably in Business Administration (General, Management, or Computer Science), Management (General, Information Systems), Information Technology (Information Management, Information Systems, or Information Architecture), International Relations, Information Systems, or a related subject. Enrolment in any of the above-mentioned disciplines must cover the entire duration of the internship. Applicants pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, who after having completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, may be seriously considered for an internship.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the internship programme however practical and academic experience in any of the above outlined disciplines will be considered. Experience in establishing, fostering and coordinating a diverse group of actors is desirable. Experience in use of standard office software applications (specifically those mentioned above) is highly desirable. Experience in technical matters would be an advantage.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is a requirement. Fluency in another official UN language, French in particular, is desirable.
Assessment Method
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special Notice
The UN internship programme is an unpaid, full-time opportunity, interns are expected to work five days (Monday to Friday) per week (40 hours) within the Section to which s/he is assigned. The internship is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to build upon conceptual skills in coordination, negotiation, and innovation while applying them in a diverse, dynamic, and international environment in support of the United Nations and the global humanitarian community. This internship will be for a period of three months and under certain circumstances it can be extended further, expected to start in spring 2014. The total duration may be exceptionally extended to a maximum of six months when there are special academic requirements or special needs of the receiving department/ office. All interns are responsible for travel, accommodation, medical insurance, visas, and living expenses for the duration of their service. Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional level and above carrying international recruitment status in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship.
For further information, please consult UNOG internship website at: http://www.unog.ch.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The cover note must include the title of the advanced-degree you are currently pursuing, the graduation date (when will you be graduating from the programme), the IT (information technology) skills and other programmes in which you are proficient, your top three areas of interest/department preferences, explaining why you are the best candidate for the specified department, and your interest in the United Nations. Successful applicants must have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, they must also have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Please do not forget to designate three references. Due to a high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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.
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