INTERN: Study Administration & Capacity Building at UNU-EHS’ Education Unit

About United Nations University

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.

UNU-EHS

Established in December 2003, UNU-EHS addresses the risk and vulnerability aspects of human security and the consequences of complex environmental hazards for sustainable development. The work of UNU‐EHS helps to improve the in‐depth understanding of the cause-effect relationships to find ways to reduce risks and vulnerabilities. The Institute supports policymakers and decision-makers with evidence‐based research and information. www.ehs.unu.edu.

Education Unit

The UNU-EHS Education Unit leads the Institute’s coordination of educational and capacity-building activities as well as the development of educational partnerships and networks. It notably manages all processes related to the Joint Master of Science Programme with the University of Bonn. It is also responsible for organising and managing the processes related to the internal staff capacity building and training and the institutional internship programme.

The intern will support the following key activities of the Education Unit:

The international Master of Science programme Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security, offered jointly by the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn and the United Nations University in Bonn, provides postgraduate students with detailed knowledge, critical understanding, strategies and the tools required to take an interdisciplinary approach towards the complex emergence of environmental risks and natural hazards, their implications for human-nature relations (vulnerability, resilience, adaptation), and how to deal with them in practice. It provides a unique combination of advanced conceptual and applied engagements in the field of environmental risks and human security in an international context. More information here.

UNU-EHS’ Capacity Building programme aims to engage adequate resources and tools to open capacity and skills development opportunities for the UNU-EHS/ViE personnel of all levels of responsibility. Amongst other, UNU-EHS endeavours to:

• Improve the staff work experience and wellbeing;
• Foster the development of staff’s skills and capacities;
• Enable the development of a set of skills which is applicable in current and future roles our personnel might take on; and to
• Provide role and field-focused capacity development opportunities.

Description of Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Director of UNU-EHS and the supervision of the Education Unit, the intern will be entrusted with a variety of tasks related to the administration of the Institute’s educational and capacity-building programmes. In particular, the intern will support the following areas:

International Joint Master of Science programme

Application Management:

• Promotion of calls for applications, researching relevant contacts and platforms;
• Pre-screening of applications for the programme’s 2023 intake and keeping related documentation to inform the later stages of the selection/assessment process;
• Responding to standard inquiries related to the application process.

Services for Students & Alumni:

• Development & facilitation of students’ extra-curricular offering in the winter semester of 2022/23;
• Maintaining the master’s internal social media platforms, supporting alumni relations;
• Researching contents of interest, incl. (online) events, internship/job opportunities, extra-curricular learning opportunities (e.g. MOOCs), etc.

Capacity Building Programme:

• Communication with participants (Draft and distribute workshop/training registration calls, follow up on individual questions, registration management, issuance of certificates);
• Support communication and delivery of UN Expert Web talks series for the AGEP Network, organized by UNU-EHS Education Unit;
• Documentation and maintenance of training material in E-Campus.

Other support in connection to UNU-EHS’ Joint Master’s and Capacity Building programme

• Technical facilitation of hybrid/online events and seminar sessions;
• Collaboration with UNU-EHS Comms’ Department to promote the Institute’s educational activities;
• Preparation of materials related to the Education Units activities; minute taking, preparation of seminar/meeting rooms, drafting and editing documents in English;
• Other tasks as agreed upon with the Education Unit Team.

Depending on the intern’s background, interests, and initiative, the scope of tasks and desired learning outcomes will be reviewed jointly when commencing the position.

Learning objectives:

• Gaining insights and work experience within the UN(U) system, its related policies and values;
• Practising intercultural as well as professional communication skills in a diverse work environment;
• Obtaining applied knowledge in the fields of study and training programme management, international higher education administration, and institutional collaboration;
• Involvement at the intersection of higher education and environmental risks (e. g. climate change, droughts, floods), i.e. Education For Sustainable Development (ESD);
• Further development of own professional profile through the above.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration

Qualifications

Education:

• University studies in one of the following disciplines: Education, Education Management, International (Affairs, Development, Relations, Policy), Geography, Area Studies, Language Studies, Communication, or other relevant subjects are required.
• Be in their final year of undergraduate study or enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (master’s level or equivalent); or aiming to conduct the internship immediately after graduation from a university degree (internship duration limited to three months in the latter case).

Language:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required;
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage;
• Working knowledge of German is an advantage.

Essential Skills and attributes:

• Strong computer skills, good knowledge of MS Office programs;
• Willingness to learn new technology skills and methods;
• Ability to be flexible and to work remotely;
• Strong communication skills and eye for detail;
• Ability to work in an international team;
• Highly motivated and team-oriented person.

Desired Skills:

• Strong interest in knowledge sharing and capacity development;
• Previous work experience within a professional office setting, the German university system, higher education administration, or programme administration would be an asset;
• Previous experience in developing countries or in international organisations would be an asset;
• Ability to work in a small team, work autonomously, establish priorities and handle pressure.