Research Intern

Work Location

New Delhi, India

Expected duration

3 months (minimum three months, extendable up to six months subject to APCTT requirements)

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will work with designated staff of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) to support the implementation of the Centre's substantive work programme. The work programme broadly involves developing and promoting regional mechanisms and platforms on transfer of technologies, especially new and emerging technologies such as climate technologies, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and climate-resilient infrastructure, organising knowledge-sharing and capacity-building events with policymakers, experts and research institutions, and carrying out analytical work to assist ESCAP member States in the following areas: Climate Change, Environment, Innovation, Sustainable Development, Environmental Journalism, and International Relations related to science, technology and innovation. A key component of APCTT's work is research related to climate technologies, transfer of technology and the management of its Community of Practice (CoP). The intern will play an active role in supporting APCTT staff in managing the above research activities. Learning Opportunities ESCAP-APCTT provides interns with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of: • Challenges related to national innovation systems in countries of the Asia-Pacific region; • The processes of regional and multilateral cooperation; • Mandates and operations of the United Nations in developing countries and countries with special needs, in its efforts to provide policy advice, capacity building and platforms for governments to achieve the SDGs. Specific Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the internship period. Duties may include, but are not limited to: • Conduct research and literature reviews on topics related to technology transfer, climate technologies, innovation systems, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and sustainable development; • Assist in the preparation of research papers, policy briefs, analytical reports and other knowledge products; • Assist in planning and organising Community of Practice webinars, workshops and virtual events, including logistics, agenda preparation and follow-up; • Identify and map relevant experts, institutions and networks for potential collaboration with APCTT; • Monitor developments in science, technology and innovation policy relevant to APCTT's mandate and prepare summaries and briefs for APCTT staff; • Support the knowledge management functions of the organisation, including document management and resource compilation; • Conduct research on the landscape of technology transfer offices across the Asia-Pacific. • Other activities as may be decided by the supervisor. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The minimum duration of an internship is two months and can be extended up to a total period of six months. Interns works five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the division or office to which they are assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

• Have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Climate Change, Environment, Innovation, Sustainable Development, International Relations related to science and technology, or any other related area; or • Have graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. The candidate is expected to have: • Good understanding of climate technologies, sustainable development and/or science & technology topics; • Experience in web-based research and digital content creation; • Excellent written communication and networking skills; • Proficiency in standard software applications (MS Office, Canva, AI tools) and familiarity with AI tools and social media platforms. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme but must be computer literate in standard software applications. Familiarity with science, technology and innovation, renewable energy, climate change, artificial intelligence and related issues is desirable. Data handling skills and proficiency in spreadsheets (Excel) are also an asset. Experience in community management, event coordination or academic research is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side of the Inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in Inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.