Posting Title: | INTERN – ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening) |
Job Code Title: | INTERN – ECONOMIC AFFAIRS |
Department/Office: | Economic Commission for Africa |
Duty Station: | ADDIS ABABA |
Deadline | 30 December 2021 |
Job Opening Number: | 21-Economic Affairs-ECA-149303-J-Addis Ababa (A) |
Staffing Exercise | N/A |
Org. Setting and Reporting
ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and trans-boundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
The internship is located in the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) of the Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The internship is for three (3) months with an opportunity for extension, pending on the needs of the section.
The internship is UNPAID, full-time, and home-based.
Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
The African Trade Policy Centre’s mission is to act as the leading Africa-based Centre of excellence and a continental hub for providing and coordinating technical support for the development of trade policies in Africa. ATPC works with stakeholders at all levels to enhance the implementation of sound national, regional and international trade strategies, policies and programs. The Centre also conducts research to generate and disseminate knowledge on trade and provides policy advice, training and capacity building based on the needs identified by its partners.
The Centre recently established a new work programme to analyze the important linkages between trade and climate change. The world’s environmental emergencies are as pressing as ever, even if they may seem distant during the pandemic. Covid-19 has shed light on the fragility of Africa’s supply chains, highlighting the urgency to develop more robust and resilient regional value chains to face future climate change shocks. Trade can help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its adverse effects. Trade also offers enormous potential for climate change cooperation, and there is scope to be more innovative in regional trade agreements (RTAs) than at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The landmark African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens new opportunities for tackling climate change in Africa, and in turn delivering on the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action.
The trade and climate change programme focuses on five key areas:
1. Research on the important human rights and inclusivity implications of the trade and climate change nexus in Africa
2. Policy research on integrating environmental sustainability issues in Africa’s regional and multilateral trade policy positions and agreements
3. Policy advice and advocacy on how the AfCFTA can be driven in a climate friendly manner (phase I, II, III issues and implementation), informed by economic modelling
4. Development of AfCFTA implementation strategies that guide how natural resources can be used to develop green and blue economy value chains
5. Policy guidance on options for incorporating green considerations into the new EU-Africa Strategy and post-Brexit UK-Africa trade partnership
In this context, ATPC is hiring a intern to support the Centre’s trade and climate change work programme.
The focus of this internship will be to support ATPC’s trade and climate change programme.
Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Director of the Division, and the direct supervision of the Coordinator and assigned staff of ATPC, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:
– Advise on the mainstreaming of climate change and environmental sustainability considerations in AfCFTA National Implementation Strategies supported by ATPC
– Assess the potential impact of the international environmental standards agenda on the competitiveness and performance of African firms in global value chains
– Guide on complementary efforts required to assist African firms to comply with international environmental standards
– Recommend options for prioritizing the development and harmonization of environmental standards when implementing the AfCFTA Annexes on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures
– Advise on how the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) program on ECOMARK AFRICA (EMA) can be used as a basis to inform the rollout of the Eco-Mark ecolabel in Africa for sustainably produced products and services
– Recommend on how the human rights framework can be applied to support African countries to build back better through climate friendly trade
The deliverables from this assignment may include:
– Criteria / checklist for incorporating climate change and environmental sustainability considerations in AfCFTA National Implementation Strategies
– Policy brief on strengthening environmental standards and promoting ECOMARK AFRICA in the context of the AfCFTA
– Database of trade and climate change partners and stakeholders, and documented success stories
– Contributions to other research and knowledge products on trade and climate change
– Support to webinars organized on the trade, climate change and human rights nexus
Competencies
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
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
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
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);
(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;
• Be computer literate in standard software applications;
• 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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
This is an ongoing advertisement. The successful candidates may be contacted at any time within the posting period or shortly thereafter.
Work Experience
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Experience in research in the African context, preferably regarding trade, standardization, or climate change and sustainable development issues, is desirable. Understanding of Africa’s regional integration agenda, especially the AfCFTA, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the Internship Programme advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special Notice
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include:
• Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
• Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
• List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
• List your top three areas of interest.
• Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
• Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.
In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.
Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
This is an ongoing advertisement. The successful candidates may be contacted at any time within the posting period or shortly thereafter.
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.
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.