Internship Opportunities

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Internship Program

Each year the opportunity exists for up to five Australian citizens to undertake self-funded voluntary internships at the Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York during the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (September –December). The Mission seeks people with the skills, education, knowledge and abilities to contribute to advancing Australia's national interests in the UN. Details of the program and requirements are listed below.

The job  

The Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York is responsible for representing Australia’s interests in the United Nations system. The work is rigorous and diverse, requiring flexibility, clear thinking and a fundamental understanding of diplomatic principles. The environment is complex and demanding but the work is highly rewarding for the right people.

Under the guidance of experienced officers, interns are involved in supporting and advancing Australia’s interests at the international level in a wide range of areas. You will need to develop a sound understanding of government policy particularly as it relates to the area of work to which you are assigned. As an intern you may be required to represent the Australian Government in a formal capacity – for example, by assisting with negotiations of texts and resolutions and attending committees and meetings.

Successful candidates assist primarily with policy work on UNGA Second Committee (economic, environment, and international development), Third Committee (human rights) and Sixth Committee (legal) issues, as well as development and humanitarian issues in various fora.

The internship program extends from early September through to mid-December. If you are unable to begin work in September and/or are unable to complete the three month internship, you will be required to withdraw from the program. You will be eligible to re-apply in later years.

The General Assembly

Much of the work of the Australian Mission revolves around preparing for, attending and reporting on, conferences and meetings at the UN. The significant expansion of the UN’s role since the end of the Cold War means that meeting activity is fairly constant throughout the year, however, the annual session of the General Assembly (September to December) is the pivotol point of the United Nations calendar.

The General Assembly begins on the second Tuesday in September and continues until just before Christmas - thirteen weeks in all. During this period interns should expect to attend several formal and informal meetings a day. The daily meetings of the General Assembly and its main committees take place from 10.00am to 1.00pm and from 3.00pm to 6.00pm but regional and other groups meet at different times throughout the session. Be prepared for a busy schedule and working days that will often extend beyond these set times.

Our internship training

The training provided to interns at the Mission is very much “on-the-job”. You will learn first hand how the foreign service functions and gain a useful understanding of diplomatic protocol. In the course of your internship, you will need to develop a working knowledge of key UN departments and personnel and come to grips with, amongst other things, the complexities of UN protocol and rules of procedure. In addition to attending formal and informal UN meetings, interns will be expected to contribute to the regular diplomatic reporting undertaken by Mission officers and a range of other tasks. 

We are particularly interested in candidates with academic qualifications in disciplines relating specifically to the environment, international development, human rights, humanitarian and legal issues.

The candidates we are looking for are:
• talented, highly motivated and committed to the goals of the Mission;
• good communicators with excellent oral and written communication skills;
• strategic thinkers and practical problem-solvers;
• team players with good organisational skills;
• very flexible, adaptable and resourceful; and
• sensitive to, and appreciative of, difference and diversity.
 
Many interns come into the Mission while continuing their university studies. Others have recently completed their studies, and join us from the workforce. If you graduated some time ago and have substantial work experience, you may prefer to apply for other positions advertised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.

The department does not discriminate on the basis of age when filling job vacancies.

Conduct and Ethics

The Mission demands the highest standards of professional conduct from its employees. Ethical conduct by staff and interns contributes significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of the workplace and to the standing of the Mission and its employees in Australia and internationally.

In agreeing to participate in the Mission’s Internship Program and undertake duties as directed, interns are required to comply with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Locally Engaged Staff Code of Conduct, which takes account of the particular significance of the department's representational role outside Australia.

Self-funded and voluntary  

The Mission is not able to provide financial assistance to successful applicants. You are responsible for your own travel, visa, accommodation, and health insurance arrangements.

Key Dates 2011 - UNGA66 Internship

1 March 2011* - Applications open
25 April 2011* - Applications close
Early May 2011 - Internship Committee meets
Mid May 2011 - Short-listed applicants interviewed by phone
Early June 2011 - Internship offers extended to successful applicants
Mid June 2011 - Successful applicants undertake police check clearance
12 September 2011 - Internship program commences in New York

* Applications are now closed for the 2011 UNGA Internship intake. Please note that applications submitted after 25 April 2011 will not be considered.

How to apply

To apply you will need to send a letter of application together with your resume and complete a questionnaire. Please keep your answers to approximately 1/2 page per question/response.

Applications for the Internship Program must be received by email or post, with a preference for email.

Emailed applications should be sent to: 

unny.internship(at)dfat.gov.au

Posted applications should be sent to:

Ms Joy Duncan
UNGA Internship Coordinator
Australian Mission to the United Nations
150 East 42nd Street, 33rd Floor
New York NY 10017
United States of America

Questionnaire

Applicants are asked to complete the attached internship questionnaire. Responses should be no more than half a page in length per question. The questionnaire is designed to assess your suitability to perform the duties of the position including personal qualities, experience, skills and knowledge relevant to the work of an intern at the Mission.

Interview 

 

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by the Internship Selection Committee via phone or in person (in New York) if convenient.

The Internship Selection Committee will advise successful candidates in writing, with an email sent in advance.

Internship Questionnaire

1. Why are you applying for the Internship Program in the Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York?

2. Briefly outline a recent achievement, project or task that demonstrates your analytical and research skills and your ability to think strategically.

3. Provide some examples of how you have used your written and oral communication skills to achieve an outcome, in the workplace, or elsewhere.

4. Tell us about your organisational skills and your ability to work under pressure with limited guidance and to manage conflicting priorities. Use specific examples.

5. It is essential that our interns can work effectively within a team and demonstrate significant flexibility in their approach to the work of the Mission. Describe some examples that demonstrate your team skills and flexibility.

For further information please contact:
Ms Joy Duncan
UNGA Internship Coordinator
unny.internship(at)dfat.gov.au

**Please Note: Due to the volume of correspondence we receive, it would greatly assist us if applicants could be sure to fully read all related information on our website before submitting enquiries.**

Obligatory Requirements  

Before lodging an application for a position please ensure that you meet the minimum criteria for consideration listed below.

You should:

• be an Australian citizen, or have been granted Australian citizenship by the end of May of your application year;
• possess relevant qualifications and background with preference being given to those who have completed, or are completing, tertiary studies in areas such as political science, international relations, international law, human rights, environment or international development;
• have prior exposure to, or demonstrated knowledge of, the United Nations system (highly desirable although not essential).
• be willing to undergo a mandatory police check;
• be willing to re-locate to New York for a period of three months, on a self-funded basis, which includes travel, visa, accommodation, and health insurance arrangements.

If you are not an Australian citizen or will not be granted citizenship by 31 May during the year which you are applying for an internship, you should not submit an application.