Traineeship - Strategic Project and Administration Support

Duration of the contract
- 6 months
- Indicative contract starting date
- 15 July 2025
- 25 June 2025
- Organizational Unit
- Office of Executive Director (OED)
- Number of job positions
- 1
- Area of Specialization / Thematic Areas

Strategic project and administration support at the OED
- Overview

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a leading provider of innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.

The Office of the Executive Director (OED) is the small front office supporting the Executive Director of UNITAR, who also serves as an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. The OED provides executive support, facilitates internal coordination, drives strategic initiatives, and ensures effective communication within the Institute and with external stakeholders.
- General Objectives of the Contract

The trainee will support the work of UNITAR’s front office, namely the Executive Director (OED) and her team, in both strategic and administrative functions.
- Responsibilities / Description of Professional Services

The trainee will contribute to the OED’s operations and strategic efforts through the following:

- Support the implementation of strategic projects based on the trainee’s academic or professional background.
- Assist in drafting messages, talking points, briefing notes, and statements for the Executive Director and OED team.
- Support the development and dissemination of social media and public information content related to the Executive Director’s engagements.
- Provide general administrative support, recognizing that OED is a small front office requiring flexibility and support across all functions.
- Support meeting coordination, note-taking, scheduling, and correspondence management.
- Perform other duties as required.
- Learning Objectives

By the end of the traineeship, the incumbent will:

- Gain a deep understanding of how a UN front office operates and supports senior leadership.
- Acquire hands-on experience in strategic project coordination within the UN system.
- Enhance communication, drafting, and social media skills in an international institutional setting.
- Strengthen organizational, administrative, and multitasking abilities in a dynamic team.
- Learn to adapt messaging and communication to diverse audiences and channels.
- Understand UNITAR’s mission, structure, and role in the broader UN system.
- Measurable Outputs / Deliverables / Schedule of Deliverables
- Strategic input delivered to ongoing projects (e.g. draft notes, social media content, research briefs).
- Timely and quality preparation of meeting materials and event support.
- Administrative and coordination tasks completed as assigned, meeting required deadlines.
- Clear contributions to internal communication and information flow within OED.
- Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results
- Quality and timeliness of assigned deliverables and outputs.
- Proactive engagement with the team and readiness to support diverse office tasks.
- Positive feedback from supervisor and colleagues.
- Responsiveness to feedback and demonstrated improvement.
- Professionalism in communication and conduct.
- Minimum requirements

**Education**:University degree in international relations, social science, human rights or related field;
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate degree or be a recent graduate with the qualifications listed above (if selected, they must commence the traineeship within two years of graduation).

**Skills required**:
**Languages**:Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge another official UN language, in particular French, would be an advantage.

**Other**:Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe) are required. Proficiency in writing, editing and presentation skills.

How to apply