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Disability - Internship on mainstreaming Disability Inclusion in the world of work

 

Grade: Internship 

Publication date: 07 April 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 30 April 2025

Vacancy no.: INTERNROSTER/2025/1/WORKQUALITY/GEDI/DIS 

 

Job ID: 12823 

Department: WORKQUALITY 
Organization Unit: GEDI 
Location: Geneva, Switzerland  
Duration of contract: 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 twice 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, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application. 

 

 

The ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for you to:

 

  1. Increase your understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving you directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies.
  2. Gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to your field of study.

 

Please note that you:

 

  • Are requested to apply to a maximum of three internship profiles, otherwise you will be automatically disqualified.
  • Must upload a cover letter. Your CV or resumé uploaded as attachments are not accepted.
  • Are able to withdraw your application at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.
  • May not be contacted for the duration that this roster is active. Should this be the case, we encourage you to reapply if you are still eligible and available.
  • Should not expect employment at the end of the internship.
  • Must apply before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

 

The ILO values diversity. As part of our disability-dedicated initiative, this internship opportunity is limited to candidates with disabilities. We also welcome applications from candidates from non- or under- represented member States. 

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. If you are unable to complete your online application form due to a disability, please send an email to internship@ilo.org.

If you are a national of a non- or under-represented member State, who is pursuing or has completed their studies in their home country, you may be eligible to have your travel costs covered by the ILO to Geneva, Switzerland.

 

IMPORTANT:

 

You can only apply for an internship if you:

 

  1. Have no close relative serving in the ILO (mother, father, brother, sister).
  2. Have not already undertaken an internship at the ILO.
  3. Are enrolled in a Master’s or a Doctorate Programme, or have completed such a programme in the year preceding the application.
  4. Have a working (both oral and written) knowledge of English. This is mandatory.
     

 

 

Department(s)

The Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) within the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY) aims to promote equal opportunities and treatment for all persons in the world of work and to eliminate discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, indigenous identity, sexual orientation, HIV status and disability. GEDI works with ILO’s tripartite constituents (governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations) to ensure that their institutions and policies, programmes and initiatives are gender-responsive as well as inclusive of indigenous people, LGBTI persons, people living with HIV, and persons with disabilities.

 

In the specific case of disability inclusion, GEDI’s Disability Team provides a guiding role in applying the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) within the ILO. (UNDIS’ objectives are further rooted within the ILO context through specific targets and indicators in the ILO’s Disability Inclusion Strategy 2024-2027.) The Disability Team coordinates two networks of focal points:  the Disability Champions Network that serves as catalyst for disability inclusion throughout the organization; and the ILO UNDIS Indicators Custodians Network which works to fulfil ILO’s UNDIS requirements. The Disability Team also partners with colleagues throughout the ILO, helping to ensure disability inclusion in such issues as programming, communication and employment. 

 

The Disability Team is working to expand the quality and quantity of mainstream ILO projects and programmes that include a disability lens, as well as an intersectional approach to disability inclusion. 

Learning areas

As an intern with the Disability Team, you would be exposed to a range of areas related to the ILO’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy/UNDIS, with a focus on mainstreaming disability inclusion in ILO projects and programmes. You would gain experience working with ILO specialists who lead on the following tasks, for which you would provide support:

  • Analysis of legal and policy frameworks, to identify key areas for improvement in disability inclusion;
  • Technical support to the ILO’s Disability Champions Network, and to the ILO’s UNDIS Indicator Custodians Network;
  • Communications with ILO Departments/Units/Projects on disability inclusion, and entry points for mainstreaming disability into new and existing projects and programmes;
  • Outreach to ILO Regional and Country Offices, including on how to implement the ILO Disability Inclusion Strategy in the field;
  • Dissemination of guidelines and other materials on disability inclusion.

 

Interns should expect to devote 10% to 20% of their time to administrative tasks.

Education

International Development/ Development Studies, Disability Rights, International Relations, Political Science, Human Rights, International Law, or other related fields.

 

The candidate must be enrolled at least in a Master's degree programme or must have completed such a programme no longer than 1 year ago.

Experience

Previous relevant work experience and knowledge, i.e. in the area of disability-inclusive development cooperation and/or projects and programmes, would be an advantage-

Previous work experience in international development, the rights of persons with disabilities, linguistic minorities, or intersectionality is desirable. 

Languages

Excellent knowledge (particularly written) of English; working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable. Sign language users are welcome.

Competencies

Adaptable to an international, multicultural and multilingual environment, good communication skills and be able to work in a team.

Additional requirements

This internship opportunity is limited to candidates with disabilities.

 

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/Financial compensations:

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

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