Human Resources Development Department
International Labour Office
Vacancy No: ROSTER/INTERNSHIP/2014/2/23
Title: INTERNSHIP IN SOCIAL PROTECTIONContract type: InternshipDuration of contract: 3-6 months
Date:
Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 25 May 2014InternshipsOrganization unit: DDG/P SOCPROILO Social Protection Department, International Social Security Association (ISSA)Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
The ILO values diversity. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. Applications from non- or under-represented member States would be particularly welcome.
You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published several times per year. The roster will be made available to all departments which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates only. In case you are not sure as to which profile suits best your background, kindly apply up to a maximum of three different profiles.An internship with the ILO provides an opportunity to:(a) Increase understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving them directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies;(b) Gain practical work experience with the ILO directly related to their field of studies.The internship programme is not intended to lead to a career in the ILO. There should be no expectation of further employment at the end of the internship.
Description of Duties
The Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) is responsible for promoting enhanced coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all through efficient and sustainable national social protection floors and comprehensive social security systems, in line with provisions of Recommendation No. 202 concerning national floors of social protection and other ILO social security standards. Internships are possible under either or both of the two technical branches of Social Protection Department:
The Social Policy, Governance and Standards Branch is responsible for social protection policy development and design, standard setting in the area of social protection, promotion and monitoring of implementation of existing social protection standards, governance of social protection programmes and overall national systems. The Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Branch is responsible for applying the principles and values of ILO social security, labour protection and employment standards to public finance, actuarial and statistical conceptual developments in the analysis of public policies relating to social protection. ILO Social Protection Department is responsible to develop capacity building activities in these areas through technical cooperation activities and with the ITC in Turin.The International Social Security Association is the principal international institution bringing together social security agencies and organizations. The ISSA's aim is to promote dynamic social security as the social dimension in a globalizing world by supporting excellence in social security administration. Founded in 1927, the ISSA has its headquarters at the International Labour Office, in Geneva. Internships are possible under either of two branches of the ISSA:
Social Security Promotion (SSPROM - promotion of social security through knowledge transfer, publications, web development, media relations and corporate communications) and the Social Security Observatory (SSO - development of the knowledge base, research and policy analysis, ISSA technical commissions, and the documentation service).
Learning area:
As an intern in the ISSA or ILO Social Protection Department, you will be exposed to a whole range of areas covered by social protection, composed of contributory and non-contributory social security programmes (i.e. social assistance and social insurance schemes). This includes policy design, issues of implementation, delivery and administration, monitoring and evaluation, including through quantitative methods and tools, related to contributory and non-contributory social security programmes providing income security and access to health care in case of unemployment, old-age, sickness, disability, work injury, maternity or poverty and vulnerability in general as well as to overall social protection systems. Both the ILO Social Protection Department and the ISSA aim to promote the extension and improvement of social security protection globally and to develop practical analytical methodologies and tools reflecting the latest developments.You would be gaining experience working with specialists who are involved in the following tasks: researching and analysing recent trends and developments in social security; collecting social security-related statistical data and other information; promoting social security worldwide through application of international labour standards (like ILO Convention 102 and Recommendation 202); analysing the financial and actuarial situation of social protection systems; providing technical assistance to countries on the implementation/management of social security schemes; and preparing ISSA/ILO Social Protection Department publications and organizing technical meetings and analogous activities.Interns should expect to devote between 20% to 30% of their time to support the administration of technical activities.Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.
Required Qualifications
Education
Area of studies:
Applicant should currently follow a course of study in economics, econometrics, law, actuarial sciences, statistics or social sciences and related disciplines (last year of Master degree or above); or have completed such studies within 12 months prior to this application.
Experience
Relevant work experience in social security/protection or international development, knowledge of IT and quantitative modelling would be an advantage.
Programming experience and relevant studies in econometric modelling, or actuarial sciences or applied statistics are required for an internship in the Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Branch of SOCPRO.
Languages
You should have working knowledge (both oral and written) of at least one of the ILO's official languages (English, French or Spanish).
Competencies
Adaptable to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment, good communication skills and be able to work in a team.
Additional Information:
Application process:**Please note that only three applications per recruitment advertisement period are accepted. If you apply to more than three internship profiles, your application will not be considered for any available vacancies.**Please complete the online application form, attaching a cover letter. In order to do so, please complete your profile first and submit your application. Then add your cover letter under the section of 'my applications'. The cover letter needs to be attached to the roster to which you have applied. Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. The more you can be specific about what you are interested in, the easier it will be for the departments to match their needs with your profile. Please also indicate your availability (e.g. proposed start date and latest possible end date).Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship matches your specific profile.If you have not been contacted by any department within three to four months after your application, you can consider that your profile has not been picked by any department for this roster. Departments will use the roster for internships starting within the next 4 months.
Duration:Please note internships start on the 1st or 15th of any month for a minimum duration of three months and a maximum duration of six months.
Requirements:
Please only apply for an internship if you fulfil the following three criteria:(1) You have no close relative serving in the ILO.(2) This is your first internship with the ILO (only one internship is permitted).(3) You are currently following a course of study (last year of Master degree or above), or have completed studies within 12 months prior to this application.(4) You have working knowledge (both oral and written) of at least one of the ILO's official languages (English, French or Spanish).
Stipend:
You should ideally receive funding for your internship through an institution (for example you university/sending institution or a foundation), to cover your subsistence expenses (in Geneva estimated at 1,850 Sfr per months). However, if this is not provided, you will receive a stipend to cover living expenses. Your travel to the duty station would be at your own expense.
Insurance:
Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship
