Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. The internship is for a duration of up to 6 months and is based in the UNDRR Office in Bangkok. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the direct supervision of the Head, Information Design & Technology Solutions (IDTS) unit, within the Communication, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and ICT Section of UNDRR. Responsibilities Responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the period during which he/she will undertake the internship. Indicative responsibilities include: 1. Assist in designing and prototyping AI algorithms and data models to support ongoing projects, such as Damage and Losses systems, knowledge hubs and unified data hub with querying functionality, and contribute to future technology exploration. 2. Contribute to the development and enhancement of internal tools for data processing, model training, and AI architecture improvement. 3. Support the creation, deployment, and optimization of machine learning models, focusing on scalability and performance. 4. Conduct research and experiments with advanced AI technologies, including generative AI, deep learning, and natural language processing, to identify innovative solutions. 5. Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) and preprocessing to prepare large datasets for model training and analysis. 6. Assist in integrating AI solutions into existing workflows and systems. 7. Monitor, evaluate, and document the progress and outcomes of AI-related projects, contributing to recommendations for improvements. 8. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. 9. Perform additional duties as required.
Qualifications/special skills
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: – be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); – be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Interested candidates must be pursuing or have pursued their degree in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or a related field. In addition, interested candidates must have proficiency in: 1. Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI and data science (e.g., Python, Java, or C++), 2. Demonstrated knowledge of AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, or similar). 3. Knowledge of experimenting with and building scalable machine learning models using large datasets. 4. Demonstrated knowledge of with cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud for AI/ML development (desirable). 5. Knowledge of conversational design for AI interfaces (desirable). Candidates are expected to bring strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an ability to work both independently and within a team. A strong interest in the mission of the United Nations and a commitment to its values are essential, as is the ability to collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. Applicants may be asked for portfolio of coursework. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required.
Additional Information
Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.
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.