Junior Fellow Internship Programme at United Nations

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Background

• The United Nations University Office of the Rector recruits highly qualified applicants to work as Junior Fellows at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo. Junior Fellows are recruited through a competitive application process twice per year.
• The underlying principles of the Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the Office of the Rector are centred on creating a dynamic, challenging and rewarding experience for Graduate level students and young professionals.
• Successful candidates will contribute to the work of the Office of the Rector, the United Nations University, and the UN system as a whole.
• The programme provides opportunities for the development of new skills and knowledge and is a unique and constructive setting for the practical application of capacities acquired through graduate studies.
• The programme places a strong emphasis on the training, guidance, and hands-on experience that form the foundation of a successful and beneficial internship.
• The programme opens with a one-week orientation designed to familiarize junior fellows with UNU, their co-workers, facilities and the working processes within the Office of the Rector.
• The knowledge and practical experience gained will also be beneficial to those candidates seeking a career in the United Nations. Junior fellows at the Office of the Rector can expect to gain valuable work experience while contributing in meaningful ways to UNU’s mission.

Purpose

• The purpose of the Junior Fellows Internship Programme at the Office of the Rector is:
• To promote interaction and dialogue between young scholars, professionals and UNU;
• To familiarize junior fellows with the activities of the Office of the Rector and the work of UNU;
• To provide opportunities for young professionals to gain in-depth, hands-on experience in a UN agency;
• To expose young professionals to an administrative working environment, and;
• To provide support to activities within the Office of the Rector.

Working Conditions

• Running parallel to most university semesters, Junior Fellows are selected twice per year, once in May-June for the fall term and once in September-October for the spring term. The fall term begins in mid-August and lasts until mid-December. Starting 2016, the spring term will run from mid-January to the end of June. Visit the Application Process page for the specific dates for each term.
• Junior Fellows work full time during the regular working hours of the University: 9:30–17:30, Monday to Friday. Weekends and official UNU holidays are days off. In addition, Junior Fellows are entitled to 1 day of leave per month.
• Junior Fellows are provided office spaces and facilities, as appropriate for their work, and are provided a monthly stipend in addition to a fixed transportation allowance for their commute to and from the UNU headquarters building.
• Junior Fellows also enjoy free access to the headquarters’ library and gym and have the unique opportunity to learn about, contribute to and provide assistance in the organization of conferences, lectures and academic forums and symposiums that take place throughout the year.

Work Assignments