Background

The relevance of UNDP - and its future as part of the multilateral system - hinges on its ability to work as a credible, trusted and effective partner. How UNDP positions itself to influence the key actors and leverage itself in the emerging new multilateral development architecture will determine the organization’s future relevance and role.

Under the overall objective to mobilize resources for partner countries and help countries leverage the effective use of resources for greater development impact, UNDP aims to achieve and sustain a more adequate, stable and predictable level of resources that (1) ensures that corporate priorities are fully implemented; (2) underpins the strategic relevance of UNDP for partner governments; and, (3) enables the organization to respond to emerging needs globally and at the country level in a strategic, innovative and forward looking manner.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations, advocacy and communications functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP.

Within the overall strategy of BERA, the Resources Partnerships Cluster builds and leads UNDP’s relations with existing donors as well as new strategic partner governments and ensures an integrated, networked and coordinated approach to resource mobilization partnerships across UNDP in support of UNDP’s development mandate to improve people’s lives.

The key functions of the cluster are:

• Implementation of UNDP corporate, integrated resource mobilization strategy
• Build resource partnerships capacities and provide guidance across various levels of the organization
• Management of UNDP network for results-oriented resource mobilization and new strategic partnerships
  

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Team Leaders of the Resources Partnerships Cluster (RPC), the Intern will perform the following primary tasks during the assignment period:

Research:

• Analyze donors’ aid policies, practices and budget allocations including contributions to multilaterals
• Support the development of country specific strategies including the identification of targeted interventions to mobilize support for UNDP
• Analyze the lessons learn on vertical funds and their application to possible innovative practices in UNDP
• Collect and analyze information, policy briefs, reports, academic journals and news articles related to traditional donors from a variety of sources e.g. conferences, workshops, think tanks and organizations
• Data collection and management

RPC Cross-Cutting:

• Provide support to ongoing change processes as related to RPC
  
• Provide support to planned and ongoing cross-cutting resource mobilization initiatives 

Communications:

• Provide support to communications work including outreach materials/products, update internet, intranet and teamworks as well as prepare presentations
• Support to knowledge management through enhancing RPC intranet/teamworks

Events:

• Meeting support by providing logistical support for the organization of missions, meetings, events, webinars, etc
• Prepare meeting minutes/notes to file
• Undertake follow-up actions as needed

Key Outputs/Deliverables:

• Country specific aid policy and practice analysis produced as input into country strategies
• Partnership database updated and enhanced
• Country specific Fast Facts updated and developed
• Support to the development of briefs for high-level visits and other outreach activities
• Communications materials/products produced
• RPC intranet/teamworks updated and enhanced
• General administration and logistical support provided including meetings, events, workshops, teleconferences, webinars, etc
• Perform other duties as may be required

Competencies

• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP
• Proven understanding of international development and multilateralism particularly the UN
• Excellent analytical and data handling capability
• Good understanding and experience in current knowledge management technologies
• Excellent organizational, general administration, time management skills
• Strong English language skills (oral and written)
• Demonstrates strong computer skills and ability to produce information visually
• Ability for problem-solving, multi-tasking, meet deadlines and work under pressure, strong follow-up skills
• Ability to work as part of a team in a constantly evolving work environment

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

• Enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme in a development-related field (Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible)
• Good computer skills specifically Excel and Word; first experience with web-based content management systems is an asset.
• Relevant national/international experience in development, international relations, management, communications, business consulting, knowledge management or related field.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Note that candidates that have graduated are not eligible for internship.

• 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.

• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by: the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.