Internship - Youth and Peacebuilding , January 2016

Closing date: Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Organizational Unit: Peacekeeping Training Programme

Duration of contract: five to six months

Indicative start date: 22 February 2016

Deadline for applications: 26 January 2016

Tentative interview dates: 28 and 29 January 2016

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Programme description

The UNITAR Peacekeeping Training Programme (PTP) is a specialized programme of UNITAR, which offers a systematic and comprehensive preparation, through innovative and results-oriented trainings, in the fields of peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Since its establishment in 2009, UNITAR PTP provides high-quality training comprised of both basic and advanced courses.

UNITAR PTP offers an internship/traineeship opportunity for university students or freshly postgraduates. The working experience is designed to allow interns/trainees to strengthen their knowledge and gain practical experience in the training and learning field, with a specialization in topics related to peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

The project

Today, youth population accounts for 18% of the world's population and represents the largest generation of young people in terms of numbers that has ever existed in history according to the Social Policy and Development Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The recent events of the Arab spring and other student protests around the world demonstrated youth population's ability to contribute to change within their societies and their vital contribution to the future. Still their voices tend to be overheard.

The UNITAR PTP project on 'Youth Population & Peacebuilding' aims to strengthen the participation of youth population in peacebuilding. It will focus on ways to develop inclusive and intergenerational peacebuilding strategies, as well as on skills to promote and facilitate youth population participation. It further aims to foster a dialogue and mutual understanding between both youth population and adults.

The internship / traineeship

UNITAR PTP is now accepting applications from qualified applicants interested in working for a minimum of five months on a full-time unpaid basis at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva. Under the supervision of the Manager of the Peacekeeping Training Programme, the intern/trainee will assist in the day to day work of the unit which entails a wide range of activities.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a solid background in the following fields

• Peace studies/ international relations
• Youth work and volunteering
• Training / Education.

Skills required

• The intern/trainee should possess good organizational and research skills, working knowledge of MS Office Suite, excellent internet and e-mail skills, and readiness to learn new IT tools in order to be able to efficiently work in the virtual learning environment.
• Other qualities, such as willingness to learn, dedication and independence at work are welcome.
• Volunteering experience in youth organizations is considered an asset.

Languages

• Proficiency in English essential; proficiency of another UN language - especially French, will be considered an asset.

Status

Interns/ trainees are considered gratis personnel. They are not financially remunerated by UNITAR. They are not staff members and shall not represent the Institute in any official capacity.

How to apply

Send your CV and motivation letter to ptp@unitar.org indicating 'Internship Youth and Peacebuilding' in your subject line.