Closing date: 31 Dec 2012
Department/ Office: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Kobe Office (via Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) Duty Station: Kobe, Japan
Posting Period: 19 April 2012-31 December 2012
Job Opening number: 12-HRA-ESCAP-23665-R-KOBE (O)
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Kobe Office, Japan internship is for 4-6 months with an opportunity for extension, pending on the needs of the department.
The internship is UNPAID and full-time.
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.
OCHA is a part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. As part of OCHA’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, OCHA Kobe Office develops partnership strategies and networks with humanitarian actors in Japan, with a view to mobilise resources and expertise to support effective humanitarian response and preparedness in the Asia-Pacific region.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Head of Office and Senior Staff Assistant, the intern(s) will support the following:
- Liaising with OCHA Kobe’s humanitarian partners and other stakeholders, including making phone calls, setting up appointments, managing meetings and drafting written communications/minutes
- Preparing reports, presentation materials and other information products on humanitarian affairs, including the provision of translations and visual materials
- Contributing to advocacy, communication and outreach efforts in support of humanitarian action, including contacts with the media, the civil society, and academic institutions
- Maintaining and updating OCHA Kobe’s public website.
- Assisting in organising public events and other occasions to help the dissemination of relevant information regarding OCHA and humanitarian affairs.
- Assisting in the research and policy analysis related the lessons learned of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other relevant humanitarian concerns.
- Monitoring, analysis and reporting on humanitarian situations, especially in the Asia and Pacific region. 8. Other tasks as may be assigned
• ICT skill, especially those related to the website maintenance and information products, is a strong asset. • Fluency in English is required and fluency in Japanese is highly desirable. • Additionally working knowledge of other languages in the Asia-Pacific region, especially Chinese or Korean is an asset. • Previous living, studying, researching, volunteers, and working experience in Japan, especially those related to the Great East Japan Earthquake, is a strong asset. • Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Learning Opportunities during the course of the internship: • Gain knowledge on international humanitarian architecture/policy and emergency response, coordination and preparedness,
• On the job training of professional skills related to effective communications and advocacy with a focus on humanitarian affairs and natural disasters • Learning how to build effective partnerships with key stakeholders, including with the academic institutions
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
Planning & Organizing: -Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies -Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required -Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work -Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning -Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary -Uses time efficiently
Accountability: -Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments -Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards -Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments -Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
Applicants must be enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school(second university degree or higher); or if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, have completed at least fours years of full-studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree.
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 the 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.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Assessment Method
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special Notice
A complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) if required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include: - Title of degree you are currently pursuing - Graduation Date (when will you be graduating from the programme) - List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in - List your top three areas of interest/department preferences - Explain why you are the best candidate for that specific department(s). - Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references.
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
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.
How to apply:
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