Job Detail

Intern in Emerging Security Issues Programme – Space Security
Application deadline: 31 October 2018

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research—an autonomous institute within the United Nations—
conducts research on disarmament and security. The Institute explores current issues pertaining to a variety
of existing and future armaments, global diplomacy, and local tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers,
diplomats, government officials, NGOs and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR acts as a bridge between the
research community and Member States.

UNIDIR’s Emerging Security Issues (ESI) works on new technologies that enable new methods and means of
warfare, raising challenges that cut across traditional legal and national boundaries. Our original research
helps to frame complex challenges in accessible ways and is aimed at broadening engagement of state actors
at all levels of development. We provide expertise and critical support to advance ongoing and nascent policy
processes. The Emerging Security Issues Programme currently comprises projects in these areas:
Weaponization of Increasingly Autonomous Technologies, Cyber and Outer Space.

ESI is seeking an Intern to support the research and administrative components of the programme and, in
particular, its space security projects. This includes providing assistance with research on space security
issues, assisting with the annual Space Security Conference and providing support to Member States engaged
in multilateral dialogues on space. Under the leadership of the Space Security Fellow, the Intern will assist
with

• writing, editing and fact-checking research outputs;


• communicating with project partners;


• conducting research tasks on peace and security issues;


• assisting in the planning and organization of UNIDIR project activities (e.g. meetings, workshops,

conferences, field missions);

• providing administrative support to projects; and


• performing other tasks, as required by programmatic staff.

The internship is unpaid, full time and based in Geneva, Switzerland. Interns work five days per week (40
hours) under the supervision of the staff member to whom they are assigned.

The internship is for a duration of six months.

Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the
intern or their sponsoring institutions.

Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the
internship and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the internship’s commencement. The United
Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or
death that may occur during an internship.

Please note that due to the large number of applicants, only those candidates who are short-listed will be
contacted.

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for United Nations
staff, regardless of their function or level, as well as interns. The Core Competencies for internships at UNIDIR
include:

• Communication :Identifies the information needs of target audiences and tailors communication

accordingly, drafts clearly and concisely, good written and oral language skills, demonstrates
openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork :Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different

national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.

• Planning & Organizing :Uses time efficiently, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when

planning, monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary to ensure tasks are completed.

• Creativity :Actively seeks to improve programmes or services, offers new and different options to

solve problems, takes an interest in new ideas and ways of doing things, is not bound by current
thinking or traditional approaches.

• Client Orientation :Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to

understand and reflect the clients’ points of view in their work.

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the
following requirements:

a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
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.

At UNIDIR, preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the
Institute’s specific current needs, for instance in the fields of the social or behavioural sciences (such as politics,
or peace, conflict, development or strategic studies), history or international law. However, other disciplines
will be considered.

Work Experience

Applicants:

• are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, while

demonstrated experience/interest in conventional arms and small arms and light weapons control will
be considered an asset;

• shall 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 includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

Fluency in English is required for this internship. Knowledge of additional official languages of the United
Nations is an asset.

Further information about the UNIDIR Space Security Portfolio is available at:
unidir.org/programmes/emerging-security-issues

Applications may be submitted to Mr Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow (daniel.porras@un.org).