Org. Setting and Reporting

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Tokyo has been serving as a communication arm of the UN for over 50 years since its establishment in April 1958. From the information provided every day by the UN Headquarters, UNIC Tokyo selects topics of interest to the Japanese people and distributes them in Japanese. The office translates key documents, such as Secretary-General's messages, press releases, and background documents, which are disseminated through various channels, including websites, e-mail, social media and blogs. UNIC Tokyo also focuses on outreach activities, especially with UN and non-UN partners including the business sector, civil society, and educational institutions. Other key functions of UNIC Tokyo include organizing press conferences and interviews for the Secretary-General and other senior UN officials visiting Japan, and contributing articles to the press on critical issues facing the UN.

UNIC Tokyo provides an internship programme that exposes young people to the work of the United Nations and provides opportunities to participate in the day-to-day activities of UNIC to help promote greater public awareness, knowledge and understanding in Japan of the United Nations. There are generally 2-4 interns in the office. Interns will be supervised primarily by the Information Officer. Other staff will also provide guidance and supervision for tasks related to their areas.

As a part of the measures taken for COVID-19, UNIC Tokyo is operating in a hybrid format of a mix of onsite work and telecommuting. The resumption of the full onsite operation will be decided in accordance with the building manager's guidance, the guidance of the Department of Global Communications, and the situation of COVID-19 in the Tokyo area.

The internship is for a minimum of four months and can be extended up to six months, starting from November 2022. Interns work five days per week from Monday to Friday at 9:30-17:30 JST. In the case of students, part-time (at least three days a week) will be considered. Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1) Media monitoring and research activities on trending topics and key focuses of the UN
2) Support translating communication materials from English to Japanese and vice versa
3) Format contents and plan their disseminations on social media platforms and blog
4) Assist in the planning and implementation of events and campaigns
5) Assist with telephone inquiries
6) Any other tasks as requested. 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. Identities 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. Education

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, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);

Applicants must also:
- 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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Other Skills and Requirements
Candidates for our internship positions are not required to have professional experience, though it can be of benefit to the office if you have interests, skills and knowledge in the areas below:
- Keen interest in international affairs and international organizations
- Strong planning, drafting and communication skills
- Proficient in standard software applications. Knowledge and skills of graphic design and video editing are an asset as well.
- Attention to detail.

Work Experience

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Languages

Fluency in Japanese is required. Working-level knowledge of oral and written English is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Assessment

1) In addition to the information submitted in English by filling the Inspira format, applicants are required to attach a Japanese CV and a Japanese Cover Note. There is no standard format for these Japanese documents.
The Cover Note in Japanese should outline the applicant's academic and work experiences relevant to this internship, if any, areas of interest motivation for pursuing an internship at UNIC Tokyo and future career goals.

2) Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. Special Notice

1) A completed online application, including Cover Note in English and Personal History Profile filled in English as well as attachment of a Japanese Cover Note and a Japanese CV, is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note, both Japanese and English, must include:

a) Degree Programme (Title of degree applicant is currently pursuing)
b) Graduation Date (month and year)
c) IT skills
d) Explanation of why the applicant believes she/he is the best candidate for this position
e) Explanation of the expectation of the United Nations Internship Programme

2) Although not a requirement, work experience in communications, social media and online communication management is desirable.

3) In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to the UNIC office. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

4) Other special notes

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
Applicants who are children of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations.
Interns will need to provide all necessary hardware (computer), software and internal connection to perform the internship remotely.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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