This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the Human Resources Management division of a prominent international organization. The intern will work under the supervision of an experienced HR officer and support the Talent Planning & Acquisition (TPA) unit in Vienna. The role involves a combination of observation, project involvement, and direct contributions to key HR processes.
Organizational Context
UNIDO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, is dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable industrial development. The Human Resources Management division plays a pivotal role in realizing the organization’s mission by designing and executing HR strategies that support organizational performance and employee engagement. Within this framework, the TPA unit is focused on workforce planning, talent acquisition, and ensuring alignment between recruitment practices and UNIDO’s values.
Key Responsibilities
As an HR intern, you will be exposed to a broad range of tasks:
- Core HR Operations
- Observe daily HR workflows and take part in on-the-job training assigned by your supervisor.
- Support routine HR administrative tasks and learn how HR business partners operate in a global institution.
- Policy Development and Research
- Conduct research on HR policies and procedures, analyzing best practices in the UN system and international labor standards.
- Help draft policy documents, briefing notes, and internal communications related to strategy, organizational development, and employee relations.
- Workforce Planning & Analytics
- Contribute to maintaining position tables and organizational charts.
- Assist in workforce planning activities, using HR analytics to inform decisions.
- Create visual reports, dashboards, and key metrics to support internal and external stakeholders.
- Talent Acquisition & Learning Programs
- Support recruitment outreach efforts to enhance UNIDO’s employer brand.
- Assist in the design and implementation of learning and development initiatives, including onboarding, performance management, and leadership training.
- Digital HR Transformation
- Contribute to the modernization of HR processes by helping to digitalize workflows, maintain electronic records, and automate repetitive tasks.
- Participate in cross-functional initiatives such as change management, policy harmonization, and HR analytics projects.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Work to integrate DEI and gender equality concepts throughout HR communications, policies, and programs.
- Help shape inclusive practices and contribute to an organizational culture that values and respects diversity.
- Special Projects & Reporting
- Engage with emerging HR initiatives that provide learning value and strategic impact.
- Prepare a comprehensive end-of-internship report reflecting on your contribution, learning experiences, and lessons learned.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in, or within one year of completing, a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Academic background in human resources management, business administration, law, economics, communications, international relations, or a related discipline.
- Excellent command of English, both written and spoken; proficiency in another UN language (such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) is a strong advantage.
- Strong written communication abilities and experience drafting clear, concise content.
- Highly organized, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines efficiently.
- Solid computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with data visualization tools or analytics platforms is beneficial.
- Experience with design tools (e.g., Canva) is desirable.
- Ability to thrive in a multicultural environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and work collaboratively across teams.
Terms & Conditions
- The internship is full-time and typically spans three to six months. In cases where a sponsoring partner covers funding, the duration may be extended up to twelve months, subject to agreement.
- Interns receive a monthly stipend, which varies depending on the duty station.
- Interns are responsible for their own accommodation, travel, visa, insurance, and living expenses.
Core Values & Competencies
Interns will be expected to uphold the organization’s core values daily: integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. Key competencies for the role include:
- People Focus: Demonstrating empathy, cooperation, and emotional intelligence.
- Results Orientation & Accountability: Showing strong planning, organizational skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
- Communication & Trust: Building trust through open, honest, and effective communication.
- Innovation: Embracing new ideas, driving continuous improvement, and demonstrating adaptability.
Learning Outcomes
This internship provides a rich learning environment that will help you:
- Acquire practical HR experience in a major international organization.
- Develop a deep understanding of strategic HR planning, talent management, and organizational change.
- Strengthen your communication skills by crafting targeted policy documents and stakeholder updates.
- Enhance project coordination abilities by organizing webinars, briefings, and training modules.
- Build analytical capacity through data-driven reporting and workforce analytics.
- Improve your digital fluency with HR-relevant tools for design and automation.
- Gain firsthand insight into working within a diverse, multicultural UN environment.
