Work LocationIn-person Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is committed to advancing inclusion, gender parity, and diversity in its workforce. In line with the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy and the System-wide Strategy on Gender Parity, ECA is undertaking targeted outreach efforts to attract candidates from underrepresented groups, including persons with disabilities. This internship will offer a unique opportunity to contribute to ECA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda, particularly in relation to improving outreach strategies and supporting inclusive recruitment practices. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Unit, RSU the intern will be responsible for supporting the following activities: 1. Inclusive Outreach and Engagement: - Support the identification of networks, platforms, and organizations representing persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups for outreach collaboration. - Draft inclusive and accessible outreach messages to promote ECA job openings and internships. - Help maintain and update the outreach contact list and activity tracker. 2. Monitoring Gender and Diversity in Job Openings: - Review job postings to ensure gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive language. - Assist in monitoring gender balance and representation of persons with disabilities in application trends (where data is available). - Draft internal summaries or presentations on diversity trends in recruitment. 3. Research and Knowledge Development: - Conduct desk research on inclusive recruitment and internship practices across the UN and similar organizations. - Contribute to the development of knowledge products (e.g. fact sheets, case studies) on outreach and diversity. 4. Support to Inclusive Workplace Readiness: - Assist in compiling recommendations for accessible work environments and tools (e.g. assistive technologies, reasonable accommodation). - Support activities that promote awareness of disability inclusion within ECA. 5. Event and Campaign Support: - Contribute to planning and organizing outreach events, webinars, or awareness campaigns related to inclusion and diversity. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As per the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, do you identify as a person with a disability? If Yes, please specify if you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process? LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Additional InformationUnited Nations Economic Commission for Africa Work Environment UNECA is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, including persons living with disabilities, to apply. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the hiring process and for selected candidates in carrying out their functions when requested and indicated in the application. Intern Specific textInterns 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. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE 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.