UNDP Jobs - 50144- Programme & Research Internship

Programme & Research Internship - UNDP/SDG-F Secretariat

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

05-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

19-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Minimum 3 months, maximum 6 months

Languages Required :

English Spanish

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Minimum 3 months, maximum 6 months

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) is a new development cooperation mechanism created in 2014 by the government of Spain and UNDP, on behalf of the UN system, to support sustainable development activities. It builds on the experience of the previous MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F, www.mdgfund.org, 2007-2013), which supported 130 joint programmes in 50 countries, while expanding its activities towards sustainable development, a higher attention on public-private partnerships and updating its operational framework to the effective development co-operation principles.

The SDG-F Secretariat is the operational coordination unit for the Fund and services the SDG-F Steering Committee. The Secretariat sits in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy of UNDP headquarters. The Secretariat is delegated by the Steering Committee to ensure policies and strategies decided by the Steering Committee are implemented and adhered to.

As the SDG-F is about to launch a new call for programme proposals, the SDG-F Secretariat is looking for a young professional, passionate of development, who can support the team in managing this process and providing relevant support to each of the eligible UN offices that decide to submit proposals for sustainable development programmes to be funded by SDG-F. This internship, therefore, will give the selected candidate the opportunity to experience first-hand how multidimensional and UN interagency development programmes to fight poverty are designed and devised.

The programme and research intern will work under the guidance and supervision of SDG-F Senior Advisor and in close coordination with the SDG-F Secretariat Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this internship is to support the SDG-F Secretariat in its programmatic and research activities at the moment when it is launching, receiving, assessing and selecting a new round of development programmes. She/he will be part of the Secretariat team that will run this process, helping UN offices and reviewers in conceiving new joint programmes.

The required tasks to be performed to support the SDG-F Secretariat include:

Logistical support to organize meetings, webinars and calls with participating UN Agencies and country offices;
Prepare documentation summarizing Terms of Reference and Implementation Guidelines;
Receive and process requests of support and transform them in a Q&A document that may help UN offices to prepare their programmes;
Support the programming, testing and quality assurance of the online system to submit and review programme proposals;
Prepare background information for panel of reviewers who will assess proposals;
Provide research support on post 2015 debate and development Agenda;
Prepare documents and research on MDG-F lessons learned and results.
Other activities that may be required.

Competencies

Results-oriented;
Quality Orientation;
Analytical skills;
Team Work.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Currently enrolled in in a degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher), preferably in journalism, communication, development or international relations, 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
Have 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;

Experience:

No previous professional experience required.

Language:

Fluency in English (written and oral).

Timing:

The start date is flexible. Please indicate availability in application materials. Internships can last for a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 months. Internship can be part time or full time.

Other Information:

The candidates who are shortlisted for an interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme (and graduation date);
Copy of school transcript;
Duly completed UNDP Internship Application form;
2 relevant writing samples.

Before final acceptance, the selected candidate will have to provide the additional documents:

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;
A brief paper setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience;
A Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether he/she is fit to travel and has had the required inoculations for the country or countries to which the intern is to travel;
Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location(s) in which the internship will be carried out. Click here for a list of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual health and life/accident insurance plans for students.

Selection Process

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.