Int'l Organizations & UN News #20/2024

We hope you have been enjoying the October sweater weather! Good luck to those of you who are approaching or are in the middle of midterm season. We have some exciting and upcoming events later this month, so be sure to take a look! And fresh of the press is our latest MiA think-piece Universalizing UN Development: A Forgotten Task for Effective Multilateralism.

Daniel, Laura, Angela & Himadri 

**Please note this message is clipped. You can open the message in a new browser to see full event and internship listings.

 

UN Day Festival IAB Fishbowl  Thursday, 24 October 2024, 12-2 PM United Nations Day, on 24th October, marks the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. Join our UN Day celebration with food and drinks, games, prizes and a photo booth! RSVP | EVENT INFO

Thursday, 24 October 2024, 6:15-7:30 PM ET The Forever Crisis: Adaptive Global Governance for an Era of Accelerating Complexity 1302 IAB & Online RSVP | EVENT INFO

United Nations Association Annual UN Day Race: Gender Equality *If interested, please message the IO/UNS team to be added to a group for this event* Meetup Location: Central Park (E 60th St & 5th Ave) Saturday, 26 October 2024, 11:00 AM ET RSVP | EVENT INFO

As part of the preparatory activities for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), to be held in Sevilla, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025, we invite think tanks, universities, research networks and other relevant academic stakeholders to submit proposals for panels to be presented during an Academic Day on Monday 2 December 2024 at UN Headquarters in New York. The event will take place immediately before the second session of the preparatory committee for FfD4, and will bring together academic researchers, think tanks, and delegates to discuss evidence-based solutions and innovative ideas on financing for development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The academic day will include high-level discussions between researchers and policy makers alongside more technical sessions focusing on specific financing policy issues. The event will also serve as a platform to present initial findings from the report of the International Commission of Experts on Financing for Development.

The World Food Forum will be held from 14 to 18 October at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. It serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through youth action, science and innovation, and investment, the WFF forges new paths of action and multi-sector partnerships for agrifood impact at the local, regional and global levels to achieve a more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and hunger-free future for all.

Munir Akram, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, has extensive experience on international diplomacy and human rights issues. He has been a major advocate for the rights of peoples under foreign occupation. It is an amazing opportunity for students interested in internationa relations, human rights, and global governance.

Over 2 days, the Columbia Africa Conference brings together 70+ speakers on 15+ panels, including H.E. Special Envoy of the Paris Pact for Peoples and Planet (4P) and President of Senegal Macky Sall. 

On 28 October, at Miller Theatre, H.E. Tomoko Akane will be visiting Columbia University during the World Leader Forum to discuss the role of the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law. H.E. was elected as President of the Court on 11 March 2024 and has served as a judge for nine years. You can read more about H.E. here. 

During this virtual session, Georg Peitchev, the founder of Global People Culture (GPC) and Prachi Paliwal, a Research and Statistics Coordination Analyst at the Human Development Report Office, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will be addressing career opportunities at international organizations such as the UN. They will further cover jobs, application processes, etc. at the UN. 

Application Deadline: 16 October 2024 
Location: New York 

This internship position is located in the Inspection and Evaluation Division (IED), Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), under the supervision of a Chief of Section. OIOS-IED conducts independent inspections and evaluations on behalf of the Secretary-General and Member States. OIOS-IED's objective is "To strengthen accountability, learning, efficiency, effectiveness and impact in the implementation of programmes and the relevance of administrative procedures and to assess whether the activities correspond to the mandates." More information on OIOS and IED is available at: https://oios.un.org/. OIOS-IED is seeking graduate students who wish to gain professional experience in an international organization to supplement their studies. The internship provides practical educational experience working in a multicultural and intergovernmental organization. Under the supervision of managers of OIOS-IED, the intern is assigned projects and tasks that are relevant to their educational background and interests and provide them with the opportunity to apply and further develop their theoretical knowledge. OIOS-IED is offering an internship for a minimum duration of 3 months, with the possibility of extension up to 6 months. For more specific details on the internship, be sure to review the "duties and responsbilities" and "qualifications" sections. 

Apply Here

Application Deadline: 17 October 2024 
Location: New York 

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations seeks motivated interns to support the work of the United Nations Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC). The UNOCC is a multi-party entity reporting to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG), and on peacekeeping matters to the USG for Peace Operations in the Department of Peace Operations. UNOCC’s Research and Liaison Unit delivers cross-pillar analysis, research, and data-driven services that help integrate peace and security, humanitarian, sustainable development, human rights, and operational perspectives. This internship is located in the Operations and Crisis Centre’s Research and Liaison Unit. This internship is designed to be flexible, location-wise. 

Apply Here

Application Deadline: 18 October 2024 
Location: New York 

*Starting date is 28 October 2024*
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
In this role as the global voice and advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women, UN Women must deliver to an ambitious agenda as a centre of excellence on knowledge, partnerships, advocacy and social mobilization, as well as a convener, thought leader and champion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the international blueprint for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

In view of the crucial contribution of civil society organizations in the advancement of gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights, the role of young people especially young women and adolescent girls is fundamental in the full realization of the Beijing+30 agenda. UN Women’s unique and critical role in engaging civil society and partnership building with women’s organizations including youth and girl-led organizations as stakeholders to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment will be key drivers in helping UN Women achieve its strategic goals and fulfil its organizational mandate.

Under the general guidance and direction of the Deputy of the Civil Society Division and in light of significant international events, including Beijing+30, CSW69, and International Day of the Girl, this consultancy will contribute to the organization’s strategic efforts on youth and adolescent engagement, supporting the planning and mobilization efforts across multiple platforms.

Apply Here

Application Deadline: 19 October 2024 
Location: New York 

*Desired start date is 6 January 2025 or sooner*
This internship is UNPAID and is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premises (New York, USA). This internship is located in the Knowledge Management and Guidance Team in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners. The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of the Policy Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations. It provides support to both DPO and DOS. The core function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, and thematic policy support in selected areas. PBPS also leads several reform processes. Responsibilities of this internship will encompass many aspects of the Peacekeeping Policy and Best Practices Service's work.

Apply Here

Application Deadline: 20 October 2024 
Location: New York 

The duration of the internship is for six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. It should be noted that full-time internship working hours are 35 hours per week. The internship will be undertaken in a hybrid working arrangement at the UN Premise, New York, United States. The intern is expected to work five days per week, full time within the Office of Counter-Terrorism, carrying out his/her tasks under the supervision of the deputy director of UNCCT and the ICT Focal Points. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the department to which he/she is assigned and the period during which he/she will undertake the internship. In their role, the intern will undertake a multifaceted array of tasks, aimed at bolstering the operations within the realms of information communication and technology, thereby directly contributing to the progress and efficacy of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and its affiliates. This role is designed to offer robust support through a variety of critical functions, including but not limited to: • Delivering comprehensive day-to-day technical assistance to end users in collaboration with the Technology Focal Point (TFP) and the ICT- Focal Point (ICT-FP), ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted workflow. • Supporting with the installation and maintaining local applications, making certain that these tools meet OICTs Standards and Policies. • Assisting UNOCT staff in securing their valuable data through OneDrive on UN issued computers, ensuring their important information is safeguarded from potential loss. • Gathering and providing precise information regarding users and user groups to support the management in decision-making processes and in enhancing the overall IT support structure. • Support in conducting and managing a detailed inventory of computer hardware, which plays a pivotal role in asset management, procurement planning, and ensuring that the technological infrastructure aligns with the organization's needs and standards. • Supporting with the re/installation and maintenance of images and software following OICT Standards and Policies.

Apply Here

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The unpaid internship is designed to be in person and full-time at the New York duty station. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), and/or in part-time.

*In-person or remote, full-time and part-time will be considered* 
The Secretary-General established the United Nations Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office to strengthen the oversight, transparency, accountability, and collective learning across the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. The System-Wide Evaluation Office commissions a small number of independent system-wide evaluations on strategic development issues to provide a credible evaluation input to system-wide policy and agenda-setting, as well as operational implementation and decision-making. Ongoing evaluations include Evaluation of the Spotlight Initiative; System-wide evaluation of country programme derivation from Cooperation Frameworks and UNCT configuration; Evaluation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy. The Office also has a key role in mapping the availability of evaluation evidence to enhance collective knowledge sharing and promote learning through the production of syntheses and summaries of evaluation evidence. Further priorities include consolidation of the foundations of the office, including guidance, governance mechanisms, systems development and communications. Internship Duties The System-Wide Evaluation Office is seeking graduate students who wish to gain professional experience in an international organization to supplement their studies. The internship provides practical educational experience working in an independent evaluation office in a multicultural and intergovernmental organization. Under the supervision of experienced managers, interns are assigned projects and tasks that are relevant to their educational background and interests and provided with the opportunity to apply and further develop their theoretical knowledge and gain exposure to the work of the United Nations Secretariat. Interns report to full-time professional staff in the System-Wide Evaluation Office. Desired start date: November. Duration: 2-6 months

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint development assistance agency of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). ITC is the only international agency fully dedicated to the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through aid for trade. Working with partners to strengthen the competitiveness of MSME exporters, ITC helps to build vibrant, sustainable export sectors that provide entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable communities. ITC’s representative office to the United Nations in New York works to: raise the visibility of trade as a driver of inclusive growth and sustainable development; deepen ITC's partnerships within and beyond the UN system; and raise the profile of ITC at the UN headquarters. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the overall supervision of the Head of the ITC Office to the United Nations in New York, the selected intern will: • Undertake research and policy analysis on trade and international development issues in ITC priority areas, especially the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. • Track intergovernmental meetings on trade and economic development issues, including entrepreneurship, green and resilient economic recovery, women’s economic empowerment, and other topics in ITC priority areas. • Support ITC engagement with Permanent Missions of Member States to the United Nations: analyzing country information, identifying development programme activities related to ITC strategic priorities. • Contribute to talking points, meeting notes, and reports relevant to ITC’s priority areas. • Provide administration and communication support (including social media). • Assist in the planning and hosting of events. • Undertake any additional duties as required. Be sure to read more about what you may gain through this internship.

Application Deadline: 31 December 2024
Location: New York