Internship on Social Protection

Grade:Internship 

Publication date:15 April 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 29 April 2024

Vacancy no.:

Job ID:11799

Department: SOCPRO
Organization Unit: SOCPRO
Location:Geneva, Switzerland  
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)

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 and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application. 

ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for talented individuals 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 experience with the ILO directly related to their field of study.

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.

**Please note that you can apply to a maximum of three internship profiles during the current application period. If you apply to more than three internship profiles, your application will not be considered for any profile.** Note that you may withdraw your candidature at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.

It is highly recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid last minute technical issues or delays. Late applications will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity. We welcome applications from candidates, particularly from non- or under- represented member States from the following countries: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/Non--and-under-represented-member-States/?locale=en_GB

Qualified candidates from those countries may be eligible for a special fund that provides financial assistance for round-trip airfare (economy class) in addition to the stipend.

The ILO also encourages applications of persons with disabilities. If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities. For assistance, please send an e-mail to internship@ilo.org

IMPORTANT:
Please only apply for an internship if you fulfil the following two 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).

Internships are possible with the ILO Universal Social Protection Department (SOCPRO) or the International Social Security Association (ISSA):

The Universal 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 the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202), the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and other ILO social security standards. SOCPRO consists of four units: the Social Policy Unit, the Programming, Partnerships and Knowledge-sharing Unit, the Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Unit, and the Actuarial Services Unit. The Social Policy Unit is responsible for providing technical advisory services to constituents in developing and enhancing policy frameworks that govern social protection schemes and programmes and overall national social protection systems, The Public Finance, Actuarial and Statistics Unit is responsible for providing financial, actuarial and statistical advice to constituents applying the principles and values of ILO social security standards. The Programming, Partnerships and Knowledge-sharing Unit is responsible for effectively supporting the management and the operations of the Department, supporting the development and management of global partnerships, coordinating the communication and dissemination of social protection knowledge and providing strategic, technical and operational support for the ILO's Global Flagship programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All. The ILO Actuarial Services Unit, manages the actuarial services for social insurance valuations, namely through development cooperation projects.

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is the world's leading international organization for social security institutions, government departments and agencies. Founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization, the ISSA counts more than 320 member organizations in over 160 countries. 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. Internship is possible under the ISSA Social Security Development Branch (development of the knowledge base, research and policy analysis, ISSA technical commissions, and the documentation service).

As an intern in the ILO Universal Social Protection Department or the ISSA, 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 Universal 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 a broad range of tasks including: researching and analysing recent trends and developments in social security; concisely summarizing social security policies; collecting social security-related statistical data and other information; promoting social security worldwide through application of international labour standards (such as ILO Convention No. 102 and Recommendation No. 202); analysing the financial and actuarial situation of social protection systems and schemes; providing technical assistance to countries on the formulation of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive national social protection policies and strategies and legal frameworks, as well as the implementation/management of social security schemes; and preparing ISSA/ILO Universal 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.

The candidate should be enrolled in their final year of graduate degree programme or should have completed such a programme no later than 1 year ago.

The area of academic study should be  in economics, econometrics, Law, social policy, actuarial sciences, statistics, social sciences or a related discipline.

Relevant work experience in social security/protection or international development; qualitative research experience, knowledge of IT, quantitative modelling, or applied policy research 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.

Applicants should have working knowledge (both oral and written) of at least one of the ILO's official Languages (English, French or Spanish). Fluent English is desirable (for ISSA posts).

Applicants should be able to adapt to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment, have good communication skills, and be able to work in teams.

How to apply:

1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs 

2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs 

3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile

4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline. 

Selection process:

Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster. 

If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Stipend:

As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2450 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2450 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense. In addition to the amounts referred above, each intern shall receive the amount of CHF45 per month, or the equivalent amount in the currency in which the monthly stipend is paid, which is a contribution from the Office towards the cost of medical insurance to cover the period of the internship.

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 at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).

Fraud warning:

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.