Background

Myanmar is in transition, with numerous reforms underway to strengthen the democratization process. The 2008 Constitution provides basic principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights, and the separation of powers. There is a strong commitment of the Government of Myanmar to further roll out and implement a complex reform agenda at multiple levels including and with a specific emphasis at the local and sub national level.

UNDP’s new Country Programme (2013-15) aims to support the Government of Myanmar in its objective to achieve democratic transformation and poverty reduction in the country. The programme aims to promote poverty reduction and sustainable development that are rights-based, gender-sensitive, inclusive and equitable by strengthening institutional capacity of national and local governments and non-state actors. This goal is to be pursued through three complementary pillars, focusing broadly on Local Governance, Environment, and Democratic Governance. Pillar I, within which this position is based, aims to build effective local governance for sustainable inclusive community development. A key element of this is the institutional strengthening of local governments and civil society that will promote sustainable and inclusive local development models and contribute to poverty reduction in Myanmar. At the same time, Pillar I also provides direct targeted support to microfinance, and to livelihoods and social cohesion.

To contribute to an enhanced basis for policy dialogue, and to support decision making, planning and engagement for national stakeholders and development partners, UNDP is conducting an analysis of the state of local governance in an initial group of 7 States and Regions of Myanmar between August 2013 and May 2014, with a plan to complete all 14 State/Regions by November 2014. This initiative aims to respond to scarcity of data and to provide a critical contribution to the ongoing reform process.

The purpose of the mapping exercise is to better understand the state of governance in Myanmar at both state/region and township level, from both the supply and demand side perspective, i.e., from the institutional and people’s perspectives. The mapping exercise will identify the opportunities and challenges that exist in the area of sub-national governance, in order to contribute to policy discussions on regional and local governance in an informed manner. It is expected that this mapping exercise will build on the momentum of reforms, and contribute to a further consolidation of the democratic transition process in Myanmar.

The Local Governance Mapping exercise will provide national stakeholders with the necessary data and information to make better informed decisions/produce better informed policies/better plans for improved service delivery and democratic governance at local level. The people of Myanmar (including the poor and most vulnerable) will provide much of the content of this mapping exercise; it gives them an opportunity to express their perceptions. Additionally, it will make UNDP and other International Development Partners with relevant baseline data to improve programming, indicator development and progress monitoring. The outcome of this mapping exercise will also be used as a basis to design and refine jointly with the government counterparts UNDPs future work on local governance in Myanmar. See for more details Annex 1.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of The Assignment

The main objective of the assignment is to provide communications and knowledge management support to the local governance mapping project. This will involve supporting the Project Coordinator and the Knowledge Management Consultant in executing the communications and knowledge management strategy, amongst others by organizing and managing data/reports/outputs from various states and regions and different consultants, and developing different communication and knowledge products identified in the communications and knowledge management strategy (such as UNDP Fast Facts, posters and brochures, web reports, etc.)

Scope of Work

Within the overall framework of the proposed communications and knowledge management strategy for the sub-national governance mapping, the Intern will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Contribute to editing and quality checks of the text and graphic design of the State of Local Governance reports for all states and regions as well as other foreseen reports;
• Prepare annexes on the community dialogues for the State of Local Governance reports for all states and regions as well as contribute to other parts of the reports as agreed during the course of the assignment;
• Contribute to the development of different communication and knowledge management products as identified in the communications and knowledge management strategy, including Fast Facts, mapping highlights, and web reports;
• Provide overall support to the Project Coordinator, including organizing workshops and meetings in various states/ regions as well as in Nay Pyi Taw, producing and making presentations, and providing support to field-based staff and consultants;
• Assist in the preparation and the follow-up of the Local Governance Forum to be held in Nay Pyi Taw mid December;
• Any other tasks as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator or Knowledge Management Consultant from time to time;

Deliverables (all reports to be submitted in English):

• Annexes on the community dialogues for the State of Local Governance reports for all states and regions;
• Mapping Highlights from each of the fourteen states/ regions;
• Other UNDP products as agreed during the course of the assignment.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Expertise and Experience

Education:

• Enrolment in a master’s degree programme in social science or public administration and will not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

• He/she should have taken some courses in data analysis and statistics;
• Knowledge of/ or proven interest in the ongoing reform process in Myanmar;
• Computer literate in standard software applications;
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose? and to the ideals of the UN Charter
• Demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views,
• An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied physical and other environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.

• Proficiency in English with excellent communication and writing skills.

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.