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Internship Program
Each year the opportunity exists for three 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 committees 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, humanitarian and international development), Third Committee (human rights) and Sixth Committee (legal) issues and UN Development Boards.
The internship program extends from early September through to early December. We do not offer internships at any other times throughout the year. 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
While the annual session of the General Assembly (September to December) is the pivotol point of the United Nations calendar, 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. Much of the work of the Australian Mission revolves around preparing for, attending and reporting on, conferences and meetings at the UN. The General Assembly begins on the secondTuesday 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.
Who we are looking for
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;
• strategic thinkers and practical problem-solvers;
• team players;
• flexible, adaptable and resourceful; and
• sensitive to, and appreciative of, difference and diversity.
Most 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.
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, in areas such as Political Science or International Relations, with preference being given to those who have completed, or are completing, graduate programs through either an Australian university or an overseas institution;
• 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.
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 - 2008 internship
Jan - May 2009 Applications accepted
31 May 2009 Applications close
Early June 2009 Internship Committee meets
Mid June Short-listed applicants interviewed by phone
Late June 2009 Internship offers extended to successful applicants
Late June 2009 Successful applicants undertake police check clearance
September 2009 Internship program commences in New York
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.
Application
Applications for the Internship Program must be received by email or post.
All applications should be e-mailed to joy.duncan@dfat.gov.au or mailed to:
Internship Coordinator
Australian Mission to the United Nations
150 East 42nd Street, New York NY 10017
United States of America
Questionnaire
Applicants are asked to complete the attached internship questionnaire comprising essay style questions. Responses should be approximately 1/2 page in length per question/response. The questionnaire is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the work of the United Nations and the Mission and help us determine to which committees you might be assigned.
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 by mail.
For further information please contact:
Ms Joy Duncan
Internship Coordinator
Joy.duncan@dfat.gov.au
Internship Questionnaire
Qualifications and experience:
Why are you applying for the Internship Program in the Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York?
Briefly outline how your major areas of expertise would enable you to make a
contribution to the work of the Mission. You should give examples based on your academic achievements, work experience and/or extracurricular activities.
What are your expectations of your internship with the Mission?
What skills do you currently possess? Which skills, in particular, do you wish to develop further?
What particular goals do you wish to achieve during the course of this internship?
How do you imagine the Mission could assist you to achieve these goals?
How prepared are you for work at the United Nations? What experience do you have in operating in an international environment?
Have you previously participated in an internship program? If yes, please provide a brief outline of your previous internship experience (inc. details of participating organization, duration and program content).
Written and oral communication skills
Our Interns, under the direction of their supervisor, prepare formal correspondence and reports back to Canberra on conferences and meetings at the United Nations.
How have you used your written and oral communication skills to achieve outcomes, in the workplace or elsewhere? Give at least one example.
Why are you applying for the Internship Program in the Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York?
Briefly outline how your major areas of expertise would enable you to make a
contribution to the work of the Mission. You should give examples based on your academic achievements, work experience and/or extracurricular activities.
What are your expectations of your internship with the Mission?
What skills do you currently possess? Which skills, in particular, do you wish to develop further?
What particular goals do you wish to achieve during the course of this internship?
How do you imagine the Mission could assist you to achieve these goals?
How prepared are you for work at the United Nations? What experience do you have in operating in an international environment?
Have you previously participated in an internship program? If yes, please provide a brief outline of your previous internship experience (inc. details of participating organization, duration and program content).
Written and oral communication skills
Our Interns, under the direction of their supervisor, prepare formal correspondence and reports back to Canberra on conferences and meetings at the United Nations.
How have you used your written and oral communication skills to achieve outcomes, in the workplace or elsewhere? Give at least one example.