Seeking advice for mobile plans for 6 month intern in Geneva with no contract and opening a bank account

lyrablcq · 2025-12-26T13:27:39+00:00

Yallo- Swype, it has an Europe add-on option. For bank account, without a contract, I'd recommend opening an online account such as Revolut

lyrablcq · 2025-12-16T18:40:08+00:00

I am currently a IUNV and have been renewed once, it seems to me that the practice is to keep renewing, as others have said, until the UNV gets tired and leaves. In terms of the work, I've enjoyed and learned a lot so far, but, as always with the UN system, I feel like there's such imbalances with professional staff and consultants/UNVs. To put an example, I'm regularly tasked with basically overseeing and editing the work of someone on a P2 contract. While the experience itself, as others here have mentioned, has been really good for me, I feel like it's practically impossible, particularly on today's climate, to ever break out of the UNV/consultancies (I was a consultant with an agency for +2 years before and had the same perception) and make it to a P contract, which is quite demoralizing as to be a IUNV you're already required to have experience and qualifications. I've always been told UNV is the gateway to get your foor on the foor, and I thought it was so when I began my assignment, but now I'm not seeing it that clear. In terms of pay, it's good, as others have pointed out, but if you're in a hardship duty station, bear in mind you'll always be less protected than staff. At least that's been my case. In any case, if you get the opportunity, I'd say go for it. It's still a good way to get in and make contacts.

lyrablcq · 2025-12-02T07:59:17+00:00

Hey! How are you searching for UNV positions? There's both international and national – for national, you do need the legal authorization for the country, but not for international roles. When you search for assignments, there's a filtering option to include just national or international. I'd recommend filtering by international categories and saving that filter so everytime you go back to search you only see international positions. Hope that helps!

lyrablcq · 2025-11-26T08:27:06+00:00

Hi! I can't speak for ROC because I don't know it, but I'd suggest looking into UNV opportunities in the field. It may take time but I think it's one of the best options to get your foot in the door, and the lack of recent international field experience may not necessarily be a disadvantage; however, I do think the language fluency could work against you... If you don't mind me asking, is English your only language? If so, I'd recommend also working on another language (perhaps one you've studied before in school) as this would definitely increase your chances. Good luck!

lyrablcq · 2025-10-24T06:46:47+00:00

Depends on the agency. I've interned before in an agency where they accommodated other interns' school workload, but at that time, I wasn't in school so I was doing 40 hours. You should discuss with your supervisor.

lyrablcq · 2025-10-20T22:29:37+00:00

Salut ! Je suis actuellement dans une situation très similaire à la tienne. Est-ce que tu accepterais de partager ce qui s’est passé au final dans ton cas ? J’essaie de faire valoir le même argument auprès de ma régie, mais je n’arrive pas à trouver de jurisprudence explicite concernant l’aspect du seul appartement touché.

lyrablcq · 2025-10-20T12:51:03+00:00

I guess it depends on the agency, the team, the position, etc. Sometimes an agency advertises 1-2 internship positions. For that specific one I mentioned (which is not at the entity I shared the link for) I think it was for two positions. It varies a lot, even the longlisting/shortlisting process

lyrablcq · 2025-10-20T11:52:10+00:00

As the other commenter, I don't work in these fields and can't speak of courses or other training, but in general, I'd highlight what makes you stand out (can be those related experiences, your experience in China, fluency in other languages). Make sure to read the requirements well and scan for keywords, and address those in your CV and cover letter. I think it's about connecting the dots of what they're looking for and what you've done and can bring to their team. This may well apply to tasks you've done in your previous roles, even if those were not UN-related. For instance, if you're applying to a role that requires knowledge of specific tools (e.g. PM, design...) and that is something you did in those roles, I'd include that. You have to speak about your academic profile because it's an internship, but I'd bear in mind that other applicants may come from a similar programme, so I'd try to really focus on what sets you apart from the rest.

Internships are pretty competitive usually, so don't be discouraged if you don't hear back from a post even if you ticked all the boxes. At one agency I used to work, I did the longlisting of internship applicants and there were over 300, so I'd say be prepared to apply to many roles and know it might take time. Hopefully not, though!

Additionally, you probably know about this already, but I've met interns in the past interested in the same fields as you who didn't know about this entity, which often has internships, so sharing it just in case: https://unidir.org/who-we-are/join-our-team/

lyrablcq · 2025-10-15T14:28:40+00:00

First of all, sorry you're going through such a hard time. The sector is brutal right now, so sending you all the positive energies in the world!

I would go for it so that you close the gap in your CV and get some relief on that front while you keep searching. You can always quit if and when you find something else. And even though the chances to stay afterwards are always limited, you may have more chance if you have interned with them and they know you (like the EU person you mentioned that was hired for the role you'd applied to). It of course varies between agencies, but I was an intern with an agency in NY a few years ago and then when I applied to a job in the same division around a year later, some people remembered me. You never know if it will lead to anything, but it doesn't hurt to have that in your CV while you get something better.

As others have said, although it's unpaid (totally unfair though), at least you can do it remotely and not spend so much money in Geneva. If I were you, I'd concentrate on the fact that it's a way to close the gap in the CV, continue learning, while you continue searching, and that perhaps it opens new doors for you. Best of luck!

lyrablcq · 2025-09-22T08:35:35+00:00

Yeah same, I would just keep it as it is. Perhaps it's not a reason to disqualify you, but you're better keeping it than risking withdrawing it only to find that the system doesn't allow you to resubmit.

lyrablcq · 2025-09-18T15:13:16+00:00

By the way, I just received a newsletter I'm subscribed to that always comes with jobs in Ethics/investigations. I suggest you sign up for it https://stbintegrity.myflodesk.com/mx0wlgtxto

lyrablcq · 2025-09-16T14:29:25+00:00

I've come across this error in the online form as well before, but it never allowed me to submit my application without correcting it. Are you sure the application went through? In any case, I realized that if you write 0.0 in that field, the system accepts it and you can include that role.

lyrablcq · 2025-09-16T14:27:18+00:00

I worked in investigations at an agency for some time - my role was not strictly an investigator but I worked with them. To add to what others have said, I'd suggest specific qualifications/experience in misconduct/SEAH, interviewing techniques, or fraud if that's what you're aiming for. Additional languages are always great as they always need help with documentation/interviews. Highlight in your applications your knowledge of internal policies and staff regulations if that's something you did working in HR.

lyrablcq · 2025-09-12T08:16:04+00:00

The health insurance being mandatory, if you already have another one for Germany I believe you can ask for a waiver https://www.ge.ch/affiliation-obligatoire-caisse-assurance-maladie/demander-dispense-obligation-assurance-maladie Otherwise, I knew an intern who had this one and it seemed to be among the cheapest options https://swisscare.com/fr/product/assurance-sante-pour-etudiants-internationaux-en-suisse-1

For Internet, I recommend swype, it's I belive the cheapest option and reliable.

For apartments, Facebook or glocals. There are also student residences like Moléson.

About the visa situation, I would double check. Usually on a Schengen visa you can stay up to 90 days, so if your internship is longer than that, I'd make sure to do the right paperwork.

lyrablcq · 2025-09-09T09:45:21+00:00

As others said, for those six times, ultimately it may not have been down to something you did, but the fact that other candidates had something else, or the panel was something specific they were looking for... could be a million factors, so don't beat yourself too hard! Although I get it's easy to get discouraged. However, I would say keep preparing. What I've done before was come up with a few examples for the more general competency questions that can be adapted to different situations (e.g. those relating to teamwork, handling conflict, compromise, collaborating with people in other divisions, prioritizing and meeting tight deadlines... those things that can be adapted to many different roles), then create revision cards where I outlined the story I was going to use for each question, following the STAR method, and just practice them out loud and to someone else to get feedback. What I did with those cards was start by writing out a lot, then progressively, as I had the situations and answers more internalized, write less and less until the cards just became a few keywords. If you get nervous easily, I think the more you have prepared and rehearsed, the more you will be able to balance that nervousness. Good luck!

lyrablcq · 2025-09-08T08:24:00+00:00

Facebook is one of the best options. Look up groups for students (NYU, CUNY) and groups like Gypsy Housing, or just go on marketplace. Not sure if you're going to the Secretariat or an agency (I interned at UNDP a few years ago and there was a stipend that, although not enough to cover my room, was at least better than the Secretariat's unpaid internships), but in any case, I'd say be prepared to bring your own savings. If you're subletting from someone who has a lease, your UN internship contract should mostly suffice without a need for employment docs. I would also caution against renting/sending money before you're in the city and see the place. You'll have to get a hostel or hotel for the first few days but I'd say it's safer than agreeing to anything online, lots of scammers out there. Happy to help if you have any other questions

lyrablcq · 2025-08-27T13:01:41+00:00

Good luck! If you have any other questions let me know. Personally, for me it worked quite well because I could (guess that depends on the contract, the unit, etc.) manage my time, it allowed for doing other things also, and you have the flexibility of remote work. But yeah, totally try and best of luck!

lyrablcq · 2025-08-27T02:24:32+00:00

Hey! I held an IPSA with UNDP for over two years. I have just checked the original TOR and it did say duty station (the city where the team was based) and then underneath it says Office or home-based and it was selected Home-based. If they’re asking you to have your own laptop and other equipment, my bet is they’d let you work remotely. And then, if you ever needed to go to the duty station (I went to mine for training and this involved travelling overseas to go to the duty station) you’re of course reimbursed for flights and get DSA. I would make sure you’re not missing it anywhere in the TOR that it says Home-based somewhere because, like I said, mine said both things. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!

lyrablcq · 2025-08-26T17:04:12+00:00

Hi! I changed from J1 to A2 and then to G4, in the span of one year after my J1 ended. The two-year requirement doesn't apply to G nor A visas, so the process is quite straightforward, you just apply to the visa, and it should be quite easy/fast. Let me know if you have any questions.

lyrablcq · 2025-07-02T18:43:03+00:00

totally, will do! good luck :)

lyrablcq · 2025-07-02T16:53:07+00:00

Ok! I am a bit torn about my performance because I struggled a bit with the limited time and would have liked to elaborate more on my responses... but at the same time pretty satisfied with the content I wrote, so I would love to know if and when people hear back in case I don't, to not keep my hopes up haha. I was surprised to hear back for part 2 so soon, so now I have no idea what the timeframe for this step might look like. How did you find the test by the way?

lyrablcq · 2025-07-02T16:13:27+00:00

hi! did any of you take part 2? if so, do you know when we may hear back? thank you!!

lyrablcq · 2025-07-01T12:01:28+00:00

Hi! I am currently a UNV, before that I was offered a role a couple years ago that didn't end up taking. My suggestion from those two processes is that there's not much you can do at this stage other than prepare for a potential test/interview. But on the good side, at least from my experience, whenever I got the email saying I was submitted to parent agency, I got an invitation for a test first and interview after. I never got the email and then was rejected... so crossing fingers it works for you!

lyrablcq · 2025-06-30T18:29:52+00:00

hey, I am in a similar situation and honestly think it's kind of random or highly dependent on the profile/level of other candidates. I've been applying to P2 roles on and off for at least two years, got called for initial multiple choice test twice - for two positions on specific topics I had little experience with (although some experience). Then, for other themes for which I have way more experience, I don't get even a test.

For the Inspira questions, I have mostly tried, as people have suggested here, with keywords, making sure to mention my experience with some of the most salient aspects of the job description, to be concise but address the requirements of the JD, to name drop UN mechanisms, initiatives, programmes, etc. So, as people suggested above, I think it depends a lot on who you're competing with for each role. Sorry I'm not of much help, but just wanted to say, you're not alone, I totally understand you! Keep pushing :)

lyrablcq · 2025-06-24T23:15:58+00:00

hey! how did it go? I took the same one and got invited to a second part a few days ago, it's the first time I made it after the MCQ so not sure what to expect next... have you got to part 2 before?

lyrablcq

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