Work Location

UN-House ESCWA

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: ESCWA launched in 2022 the “Josour” initiative during the first Arab Forum for Equality in Amman. The initiative aims to reduce inequalities in the Arab region by creating employment opportunities for young people, enhancing their skills, and providing training to improve their employability. It serves as a regional platform that connects youth with institutions and the private sector, fosters collaboration across different actors, and equips young people with the tools and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to inclusive and sustainable development. The initiative emerged from the recognition of inequality as a pressing challenge in the Arab region. In its 2022 report "Inequality in the Arab Region: A Ticking Time Bomb," ESCWA highlighted youth unemployment as a major driver of inequality, with rates reaching 26 percent in 2021—more than double the global average of 12 percent. To address this, ESCWA convened the Arab Forum for Equality in Jordan in May 2022, focusing on empowering youth to confront inequality. The Forum culminated in the launch of the Josour initiative, which continues to grow as a regional platform for youth empowerment. Josour continues to grow steadily as a dynamic regional platform for youth empowerment. The initiative now counts more than 65 opportunity providers, with 3 national chapters established, and offers more than 400 opportunities to engage young people directly. To date, more than 13,500 youth have joined the platform. With its wide network of partners and contributors spanning diverse sectors, Josour stands as a collaborative and forward-looking initiative to build a better, more inclusive future for youth in the Arab region. Duties and Responsibilities: The Intern will play role in assisting the Josour team with the daily management and growth of the platform. They are expected to: Support the team in the following areas: 1. Platform management – Assist in monitoring partners’ inputs and announcements (e.g., opportunities, events, updates). 2. Partner engagement – Help partners update and post job, training, and internship opportunities on the platform. 3. Youth engagement – Assist opportunity seekers in navigating the platform and provide guidance throughout their journey. 4. Communication – Respond to opportunity seekers’ questions and queries under the team’s guidance. 5. Technical coordination – Contribute to reviewing the platform’s functionality and user experience, and make suggestions for enhancements. 6. Assist in research activities related to the scope of Josour, mainly on youth empowerement. 7. Additional tasks – Contribute to other duties as requested to advance the initiative’s objectives

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above); Applicants must: (a) be computer literate in standard software applications. (b) have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter; and (c) 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. A completed online application must include, beside the mandatory Personal History Profile, a Cover Note mentioning the following: • Degree Programme (what are you currently studying?). • Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?). • List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • List of your top three areas of interest. • Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

A completed online application must include, beside the mandatory Personal History Profile, a Cover Note mentioning the following: • Degree Programme (what are you currently studying?). • Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?). • List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in. • List of your top three areas of interest. • Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. This position allows for flexible working arrangements, contingent upon written agreement by the receiving entity. Interns under these arrangements must commit to an equivalent of at least two months full-time work and complete their internship within six months.

Intern Specific text

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. 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 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.