Background

Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are human rights that lie at the heart of development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The UNDP Gender Team is at the forefront of UNDP's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.  The Gender Team is part of the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) of UNDP which provides policy advice and programme support to all of UNDP’s work.

The Gender Team works to implement gender equality as a core objective of UNDP through:

  • (i) integrating gender equality concerns in all sectors including governance, poverty reduction and environment protection; and
  • (ii) dedicated projects that empower women and promote women’s rights and gender equality. 

This internship position is with the Institutional Development Cluster of UNDP’s Gender Team. The Cluster focuses mainly on accountability frameworks for gender equality; Knowledge Management; Capacity Development and Learning; and UN inter-agency matters. The Cluster is also currently implementing a Gender Equality Seal- a certification programme- for UNDP country offices and units recognizing outstanding gender equality results.

The Cluster seek to hire two interns. The selected candidates will support the Institutional Development Cluster, with special attention to Knowledge Management activities and/or accountability and reporting among other tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Cluster Leader and the Knowledge Management Specialist, the intern will perform the following duties under each area of work :

Knowledge management:

  • Assist with research and writing for discussions on UNDP knowledge networks;
  • Assist with organizing and promoting learning and knowledge events;
  • Assist with the collation of the Gender Net monthly newsletter;
  • Assist with building online communities and resources;
  • Assist with maintaining the Gender Teams presences on social media channels especially Twitter;
  • Assist with compiling communications materials for advocacy and outreach, including on UNDP’s public website and social media platforms.

Organizational effectiveness:

  • Assist with UNDP corporate reporting and research on gender equality issues, including Secretary General Reports on the implementation of UN resolutions;
  • Assist with the management of UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal – a corporate certification process for Country Offices on gender equality and women’s empowerment;
  • Support the review of Country Offices/Units results and background documents (evidences) from the online assessment tool of the Gender Equality Seal;
  • Support the logistics for the Seal certification ceremony;
  • Assist in the preparation and analysis of charts, briefing notes etc. to support corporate reporting.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset;
  • Strong organizational and research skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Strong social media skills;
  • Knowledge of gender equality and women’s rights in the context of development;
  • Knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Enrolled in a bachelors/masters programme in the areas of international development, gender studies, journalism, knowledge management, new media, or related field in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) 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
  • Pursuing their university/college studies, having completed at least four 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;
  • Not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship;
  • The intern must return to her/his studies after the internship with UNDP.
Experience:
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
  • Demonstrated experience and interest in knowledge sharing and online social networking.
  • Knowledge of gender mainstreaming processes;
  • Experience in developing countries/development project management  especially on gender issues is desirable.
Languages:
  • Proficiency in English;
  • Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish a strong advantage.
Conditions:

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members. Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. The costs associated must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.

Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. New York, USA).

Have medical and life insurance.

Subsequent Employment:

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

Applicants who are selected must submit the following documents:
  • Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme;
  • Copy of school transcript;
  • Letter of endorsement from a faculty member who has worked with the student in the recent past and who is knowledgeable on the student’s performance;
  • Copy of the proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. New York, USA).