Background
UN Women’s project Advancing Women’s Economic and Social Rights in Serbia and Montenegro is being implemented in the period 2010–2012, with the financial support of the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The project builds directly on earlier results of UN Women’s projects implemented in Serbia, Montenegro and wider in the Western Balkans in the period 2006-2009, notably in the thematic areas of women’s economic rights and gender-responsive budgeting. is being implemented in the period 2010–2012, with the financial support of the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The project builds directly on earlier results of UN Women’s projects implemented in Serbia, Montenegro and wider in the Western Balkans in the period 2006-2009, notably in the thematic areas of women’s economic rights and gender-responsive budgeting.
The overarching goal of the project is to contribute to the elimination of gender-based discrimination in the labour markets in Serbia and Montenegro by strengthening the capacities of duty-bearers and rights-holders to implement international and national commitments to women’s economic rights. Advancing towards this goal, the project will focus on achieving the following three outcomes:
- Relevant laws and bylaws, and national, provincial and local policies and budgets related to economic security and rights, especially employment, are passed or amended to be more in line with international and national commitments to gender equality and women's human rights.
- Key policy institutions, service delivery institutions and complaint mechanisms in Serbia and in Montenegro have increased capacities and improved procedures and incentives to implement existing laws and policies that promote and protect women's economic security and rights, especially with regards to employment.
- Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs), gender equality experts, advocates and their organizations and networks in Serbia and Montenegro enhance their capacity and influence to ensure that there are strong gender equality dimensions in laws and national, provincial and local policies, strategies and budgets that are relevant to women's economic security and rights.
The project activities were developed in cooperation with stakeholders in Serbia and in Montenegro and are in line with national priorities, strategies and laws –as well as the CEDAW Committee Concluding Comments for Serbia, the Beijing Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. The activities are shaped to respond to the recognized challenges through capacity development, evidence-based advocacy and forging partnerships between government and public agencies on the local, provincial and national level, civil society organizations, experts and the public. The project will also foster exchange of best practices and knowledge with the aim of facilitating harmonized integration with the EU and its acquis throughout the region of the Western Balkans, as it pertains to women’s economic security and rights.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Officer in Charge, the intern will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Conduct research and draft reports on different topics in the field of women’s economic rights that would support the work of UN Women and its partners (for example on implementation of relevant legislation, gender pay gap, women in the informal economy, feminization of poverty, etc.);
- Support the organization of activities implemented by UN Women or its partners, such as workshops, trainings, coordination meetings, media events, etc. Expected support will be in the form of: event organization and logistics; materials preparation and minute-taking as necessary; support to work of experts engaged for the activities, communicating and liaising with relevant stakeholders; etc.
- Follow developments in the field of gender equality in Serbia and prepare regular updates for use/information by UN Women and its partners
- Coordinate, draft inputs and ensure regular updating of UN Women section on UN Serbia website, knowledge database and dissemination of relevant products and publications to partners;
Competencies
- Personal initiative, curiosity, and the respect for differences in a multicultural environment
Required Skills and Experience
- Applicants for the Internship Programme must be enrolled in a degree programme. Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments will be eligible. The students must be masters students, or in the final year of their undergraduate studies (4-year-based programmes).
- Serbian native speaker
- Excellent command of written and spoken English;
- Full computer literacy with MS Word, Excel, Power Point
- Commitment, interest, and knowledge in the area of women’s right and gender equality
- Strong communication and organization skills
Application Procedure:
Short-listed candidates will be asked to provide subsequent documentation:
a) a duly completed UN Women internship application form;
b) a letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
c) a letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student's performance.
In addition to the above listed documentation, the successful candidate will be asked to provide, prior to commencing work proof of medical insurance valid for Serbia. Applications not in accordance with the mandatory requirements will NOT be considered.
The UNDP/UN Women Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis.
UN Women 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.