Background

Knowledge Management (KM) is a key strategic enabler and a corporate service critical to the day-to-day business of UNDP. It serves as a cohesive component of the UN-wide knowledge structure, specifically in the context of UN reform. The UNDP’s Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) is committed to the long-term goal of transforming UNDP into a global leader in crisis prevention and recovery. To achieve this goal, it tries to capture the vast wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists within the organization on CPR-related issues and programmes. This means connecting UNDP practitioners with expertise in crisis prevention and recovery, facilitating an exchange of knowledge among them and ensuring that valuable lessons learned from CPR practice are shared and built upon in order to improve the way we work to prevent and respond to crises. This knowledge management strategy is supported by a robust technical and content infrastructure called the Content and Collaboration Architecture (CCA).
The CCA involves includes 3 major components: an (1) Intranet (based Sharepoint) for internal business process/workflow management and document/records management; an (2) Extranet (called Teamworks, based on Drupal) for knowledge exchange, networking, and social learning for UNDP communities of practice, staff, and external partners; and (3) Internet (ie, UNDP BCPR website) for communications, online publishing, advocacy, and transparency intended for public users. As a Bureau we are involved in streamlining our content management processes and structure and devising ways of accessing and using both explicit and tacit knowledge.
The KM Team within UNDP BCPR wishes to engage an intern to assist in the following main areas of general KM support:
  • Support content management activities on Teamworks;
  • Support in the development and dissemination of CPRP Net newsletter;
  • Assist technical teams on Teamworks CoP functions;
  • Mapping of CPR lessons learned from various sources and population of lessons learned database/portal;
  • M&E/reporting activities for BCPR knowledge products;
  • Focal point for the ‘RBM in CPR CoP’ established on Teamworks in:
  • Re-energizing the CoP with new content
  • Promote greater participation and discussion
  • Update the Country Office Focal Points list
  • Regularly share information and updates
In addition, the intern will play a key role in continuing to support the systematization of CPR Teamworks spaces and for this purpose liaise closely with technical and regional teams. This would be done with a special view to allow BCPR staff and partners, among other capabilities, to navigate through the content as easily as possible (through the clear organization of the same).
In addition, the Intern will also support the KM Team in managing the existing content on CPR space on Teamworks by:
  • Continuing to assist in the successful migration of the CPRP Net to Teamworks;
  • Updating Staff profiles on Teamworks (with new staff joining the organization);
  • Assisting staff in making their expertise available by highlighting their professional knowledge, experience and skills on their individual profile page;
  • Sharing insights and innovative solutions by contributing knowledge assets, links to external resources and recommendations;
  • Encouraging staff to join and contribute to existing Communities of Practice;
  • Supporting the creation of ad-hoc user groups to capture free-flowing knowledge and foster innovation, communication and collaboration;
  • Conducting effective searches to access a repository of knowledge assets, including guidelines, Fast Fact briefs and official position papers, as well as user-contributed presentations, papers. photographs and videos;
  • Obtaining project information and share project achievements, evaluations and good practices that can, in turn, be used by other users to design new initiatives; and,
  • Communicating by instant messaging and computer telephony.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Knowledge Management Specialist and the overall guidance of the Knowledge Coordinator, the KM Support Intern will:
  • Revisit the CPR practice work space to re-asses and migrate any remaining content to the CPR space on Teamworks;
  • Continuously monitor the CPR space on Teamworks and execute any content management requirements;
  • Assist in the migration of the CPRP Network to Teamworks by following up on missing members, going through the Lyris platform to follow-up on ‘held’ status members with a view to invite them back into the network;
  • Support the KM team in other content management and KM support tasks;
  • Liaise with BDP / OIST and the Communication Team, when needed for content management related task;
  • Assist in research/data gathering for the development and dissemination of the CPRP net newsletter;
  • Assist in the mapping of CPR lessons learned from various sources, and population of lessons learned database/portal
  • Assist in monitoring and evaluation/reporting of BCPR knowledge products;
  • Perform the focal point responsibilities for the ‘RBM in CPR’ Community of Practice;
  • Any other related tasks and responsibilities that may be required of the Intern.

Competencies

Competencies, skills and experience:
  • Excellent research skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English. Fluency in an additional UNDP Working Language is an asset.
  • Computer literate in standard software applications
  • Strong knowledge of social media and web 2.0 tools
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong content management and IT skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment
  • Experience and knowledge of the UN system working Substantive knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:
Enrollment:
  • Enrollment in degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) in the areas of international development, knowledge management, new media, public administration, development or related at the time of application and during the internship (if a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, they are no longer eligible); or
  • The candidate has completed at least 4 years of full time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, and
  • The candidate has not graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.
The successful candidate will be required to:
  • Bring a certificate from her school that s/he is enrolled in a Master's programme
  • Have a valid visa to work in the US
  • Have medical and life insurance
Status:
Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members however, they are bound by the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.