Internship at UN-SPIDER Bonn, Beijing or Vienna

United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER)

 Submit your application here

1. Background

UN-SPIDER is being implemented by the Vienna-based United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) with offices in Vienna, Austria, Bonn, Germany and Beijing, China. The programme aims at providing universal access to all types of space-based information and services relevant to disaster management by being a gateway to space information for disaster management support; serving as a bridge to connect the disaster management and space communities; and being a facilitator of capacity-building and institutional strengthening.

2. Internship Objectives

Gain experience and knowledge about the work of UN-SPIDER and the use of space-based technologies for disaster management and emergency response. Support the implementation of specific activities of UN-SPIDER, which could include one or more of the following:

• Conducting systematic compilation and dissemination of relevant information
• Supporting the management and transfer of knowledge and the building of relevant networks
• Assisting in the organization of outreach activities (workshops, conferences and seminars) and the participation of expert speakers in relevant conferences and meetings
• Compiling information relevant to capacity-building opportunities and supporting the facilitation of capacity building among practitioners and end-users
• Supporting the development of the UN-SPIDER Knowledge Portal
• Aiding in office infrastructure and maintenance
• Analyzing new web technologies
• Working on GIS tasks
• Assisting in consultancy regarding questions of internet law and intellectual property licensing
• Preparing privacy terms and terms of use for our internet platform

3. Expected Qualifications/Skills

Enrolment in a second university degree programme and knowledge of a relevant field, which could include: Geospatial Systems, Information Systems, Space Technology, Disaster Management, Medicine, Graphic/Web Design, International Relations, Legal Affairs, Communications/Journalism.

4. Languages

For this position, proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of an additional UN language, especially French or Spanish, would be an asset. 

5. Duration

The minimum duration of an internship is two months, preferably more, up to a maximum of six months.

6. Remuneration

The United Nations does not provide salary or compensation for interns.

7. Eligibility

Interns may be accepted provided that one of the following conditions is met:

• The applicant holds a first university degree (or the equivalent) and is enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (working towards a second university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship.
• If the applicant pursues studies in a country where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, he or she must have completed at least three years of full-time studies at a university or an equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree.

Undergraduates who have not completed at least three years of full-time studies and those graduates with a higher degree who have already completed all of their studies are not eligible to participate in the internship programme. Students having completed in-class studies who are required under their degree programme to complete a certain amount of internship time before obtaining their final diploma (e.g. the Referendariat in Germany) may be accepted.

8. Further Information / Contact

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online at the Headquarter in Vienna http://www.unvienna.org/unov/en/job_internship.html . Afterwards, please notify us via e-mail of your application. For an internship in Vienna, please contact ahmed.osman@unoosa.org, for Bonn, please contact anne.knauer@unoosa.org and for Beijing, please contact liu.jing@unoosa.org