Intern - Strategic Planning
Organizational Context
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) upholds the UN's development pillar, fostering global cooperation for sustainable development. The Strategic Planning and Communications Services (SPCS) within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General provides strategic planning, communications, and IT support to the Department, contributing to informed decision-making and policy formulation.
Job Purpose
This internship aims to support the Strategic Planning and Communications Services (SPCS) within UN DESA. The intern will contribute to the Department's work by tracking, researching, and analyzing information on assigned topics, supporting the preparation of high-level meetings and documents, and monitoring global trends in sustainable development. The role involves assisting in the formulation of strategies, programmes, and policies, and contributing to various projects, embracing innovative and data-driven approaches aligned with the UN 2.0 vision. This position offers a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience in strategic planning and international affairs within a leading UN entity.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include tracking, researching, and analyzing information on assigned topics from diverse sources, assessing potential impacts. The intern will support the preparation of senior-level management meetings, conferences, and retreats, including background notes, summary briefs, and option papers. Duties also involve tracking and analyzing decisions and their implementation, assisting in the preparation of speeches and talking points, and monitoring global trends in sustainable development. Furthermore, the role includes supporting the preparation of analytical reports, papers, and correspondences, assisting in coordinating strategy formulation, and preparing for meetings, events, and visits. Ad hoc requests and projects related to SPCS strategic planning efforts will also be undertaken.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study closely related to strategic planning, international affairs, sustainable development, or policy work is necessary. Desirable experience includes work in strategy/management consulting, policy work, executive support, analytics, performance optimization, data visualization, and presentation design.
Skills
Research and analysis, strategic planning, information gathering, meeting preparation, document preparation (briefs, reports, speeches), trend monitoring, data analysis, presentation design, communication, IT skills, strategic foresight, attention to detail, leadership support.