Internship Terms of Reference

Internship Title: Project Management Intern

Reference Number n/a

United Nations University – World Institute for Development Economics
Institute/Office:
Research (UNU-WIDER/PPSU/UNU-605)
Duty Station: Helsinki, Finland

Supervisor Name: Aino Hiltunen

Supervisor Email: [email protected]

Duration: 15 August 2024 to 14 February 2025

Background
For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global
problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400
researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of 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.

UNU-WIDER is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU
system. UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute
provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable
development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research
centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and
UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available
original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available on
the Institute's website. For more information, please visit https://www.wider.unu.edu/.

This is an in-person internship, located within the Partnerships and Programme Support Unit, and will
work with colleagues and projects across the UNU-WIDER 2024-2027 Work Programme ‘Just Energy
Transition, Conflict, and Inequality: Addressing the Three Mega-Challenges of Our Times’.

Description of Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Associate of the Inequality theme of the UNU-WIDER
2024-2027 work programme, and the overall supervision of UNU-WIDER’s Partnerships & Programme
Officer, the Project Management Intern will be performing the following duties:

• Support the project team with coordination of project planning and implementation;
• Collect and analyze background materials and assist with compiling, summarizing, and presenting
a variety of documents and reports;
• Update internal databases and project management tools;
• Support organization of project events and activities;

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• Assist the project team with publication monitoring and processing;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

The intern will be part of a project team and the overall Partnerships and Programme Unit structure of
UNU-WIDER and will be learning on the job daily. Dedicated time will be allocated by the supervisor for
understanding the functioning of UNU-WIDER and the UN system in general. The intern will get exposed
to the functioning of a UN think tank implementing research, capacity development, and policy
engagement activities while operating within the UN rules and regulations.

The intern will be able to participate in training offered by UNU-WIDER, including attending
presentations at the WIDER Seminar series or other relevant events. Other opportunities will be
discussed with the intern upon arrival.

No travel missions are foreseen from the outset.

Competencies
Values:
• Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of
age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography,
grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual
orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
• Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and
taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any
other breach of UN standards.
• Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
• Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality
on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:
• Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the
United Nations and work coherently as One UN.
• Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand
problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action.
• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering
results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations
serves.
• Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning
and development of others.
• Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel
ways.
Qualifications

Education:
Applicants to the UNU-WIDER internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the
following requirements:
• Be in their final year of undergraduate study or enrolled in a graduate degree programme in
relevant discipline such as Social Sciences, International Studies, Business Administration or
other related field.

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 • Have graduated with a university degree in relevant discipline such as Social Sciences,
International Studies, Business Administration or other related field and, if selected, must
start the internship within two years of graduation.

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

The Intern is expected to have:

• A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and/or international development;
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Working knowledge and experience in using MS Office;
• Experience in project management processes is an asset.

Application Procedure
How to Apply:
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:
Apply via the application link;
• Attach a brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Attach a current and complete CV in English;
• Document(s) confirming your education status (e.g. transcript or proof of enrolment)
• Answer a few questions that are tailored to the internship.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Candidates invited for an interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:
• Document(s) confirming your education status (e.g. transcript or proof of enrollment);
• Proof of health and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be
carried out. Selected intern must have health and life insurance.

UNU accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during
the internship.

Application Deadline: 26 May 2024, 23:59 UCT+3

Stipend
Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources such as universities or other
institutions will receive a stipend of EUR1,399.00 per month of full-time internship from UNU to
partially subsidize their basic living costs for the duration of the internship.

The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated
accordingly.

Duration of contract: The duration of the internship is 6 months.

Expected start date: 15 August 2024

Additional Information
Assessment

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Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview,
and references.

Special notice
Please note that the selected candidate must have a (1) Finnish nationality or the residence and work
permit for Finland, OR (2) have right of residence in Finland as an EU/EFTA citizen. In case of equally
qualified candidates, the candidates holding Finnish nationality or the residence and work permit for
Finland will be given preference.

The purpose of the Internship Programme is to complement an intern’s studies. There should be no
expectation of employment with UNU at the end of an internship.

Interns do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as
defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations and may not represent UNU in any official
capacity.

UNU accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during
the internship. Applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of
insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates,
irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with
disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly
encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the
United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of
authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this internship announcement.
We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this internship cohort
for upcoming internships within the next 2 years.

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