United Nations University Junior Fellows Internship Programme (for Young Graduates) Job Vacancy

The
United Nations University Office of the Rector recruits highly qualified
applicants to work as Junior Fellows at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo. Junior
Fellows are recruited through a competitive application process twice per year.
Graduate students interested in the work of the United Nations — and in
particular, UNU — are encouraged to apply.

The
underlying principles of the Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the Office
of the Rector are centred on creating a dynamic, challenging and rewarding
experience for graduate level students and young professionals. Successful
candidates will contribute to the work of the Office of the Rector, the United
Nations University, and the UN system as a whole. The programme provides
opportunities for the development of new skills and knowledge and is a unique
and constructive setting for the practical application of capacities acquired
through graduate studies.

The
programme places a strong emphasis on the training, guidance, and hands-on
experience that form the foundation of a successful and beneficial internship.
The programme opens with a one-week orientation designed to familiarize junior
fellows with UNU, their co-workers, facilities and the working processes within
the Office of the Rector. The knowledge and practical experience gained will
also be beneficial to those candidates seeking a career in the United Nations.
Junior fellows at the Office of the Rector can expect to gain valuable work
experience while contributing in meaningful ways to UNU’s mission.

Purpose

The
purpose of the Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the Office of the
Rector is:

to
promote interaction and dialogue between young scholars, professionals and
UNU;
to
familiarize junior fellows with the activities of the Office of the Rector
and the work of UNU;
to
provide opportunities for young professionals to gain in-depth, hands-on
experience in a UN agency;
to
expose young professionals to an administrative working environment, and;
to
provide support to activities within the Office of the Rector.

Working
Conditions

Running
parallel to most university semesters, Junior Fellows are selected twice per
year, once in May-June for the fall term and once in September-October for the
spring term. The fall term begins in mid-August and lasts until mid-December.
Starting 2016, the spring term will run from mid-January to the end of June.
Visit the Application Process page
for the specific dates for each term.

Junior
Fellows work full time during the regular working hours of the University:
9:30–17:30, Monday to Friday. Weekends and official UNU holidays are days off.
In addition, Junior Fellows are entitled to 1 day of leave per month. Junior
Fellows are provided office space and facilities, as appropriate for their
work, and are provided a monthly stipend in addition to a fixed transportation
allowance for their commute to and from the UNU headquarters building. Junior
Fellows also enjoy free access to the headquarters’ library and gym and have
the unique opportunity to learn about, contribute to and provide assistance in
the organization of conferences, lectures and academic forums and symposiums
that take place throughout the year.

Work
Assignments

Participants
in this programme have the opportunity to engage in a number of ongoing
initiatives that provide a unique window into the working processes of the
University. Junior Fellows support the work of the Office of the Rector in the
following areas:

research
and writing for institutional development: preparation of executive briefs
on priority issues; background research and drafting of topical
information briefs in support of internal policy development (i.e. related
to the functioning of the University);
planning:
supporting the development of project management tools and systems;
event
coordination: supporting the organization of lectures, conferences,
workshops, and other public events;
meeting
coordination: logistical support and minute taking;
editorial
support: proof-reading reports and copy editing;
communication:
preparation and dissemination of newsletters, event summaries, and other
communication documents.

Criteria

The
qualifications that are considered in each application process include, but are
not limited to, the following. The candidate:

is
currently pursuing or has recently completed postgraduate studies
(master’s or doctoral), preferably in a field related to the University’s
work;
is
under 32 years of age at the time of application;
must
not have more than 5 years of work experience in their related field;
has
a native or near fluent command of written and spoken English;
has
excellent research, writing and analytical skills;
can
establish and maintain effective working relations with people from
diverse backgrounds;
demonstrates
resourcefulness and creativity in problem-solving;
has
advanced computer skills: sound, hands-on, knowledge of standard office
software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.); and
has
a demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and more
specifically, in the work of the United Nations University.