Background

Governments and people in the Pacific are faced with what many perceive to be difficult choices between the traditional and modern; in customs and culture; in lifestyles; and in all facets of daily life. But inevitably development and progress mean change. Information, education and travel all introduce new concepts into society. Change threatens traditional values. It is, nevertheless, a fact that today’s traditions and accepted practices and mores may have been yesterday’s innovations.

But in the modern sense development leads to increasing monetization of society, and monetization leads to a greater individualism that in turn leads to a broadening of horizons and a weakening of ties among family members. The consequence of this has been the appearance in many PICs of hardship and poverty, of increasing degrees of inequality, of growing numbers of the disadvantaged and of those who have been left behind. In short the Pacific region has experienced, and continues to experience increasing levels of hardship and poverty. National development strategies aiming to alleviated hardship and poverty towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are beginning to recognise these dynamics.

There is however much more research to be done on the nature and causes of hardship and poverty, and of the measurement of poverty within societies.

Poverty reduction and hardship alleviation interventions aimed at achieving the MDGs need to be adapted to particular circumstances, with due attention to the identified priorities and needs of those who are most disadvantaged. A one-size-fits-all policy approach needs to be avoided. A stronger, more consultative and participatory conceptual framework for setting and implementing development priorities and strategies that will help to achieve the MDGs is needed. The MDG and Poverty Reduction team in the UNDP Pacific Centre is one of the leading agencies supporting countries to improve their analysis of poverty related issues; to develop well costed pro-poor and MDG-based policy initiatives; to establish an enabling environment for sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship development and financial inclusion; to strengthen capacities for the sustainable management of natural resources, energy and climate change; to mainstream HIV policies in plans and budgets; and to move towards the achievement of the MDGs and the Millennium Declaration.

The intern will provide valuable research support to the specialist members of the MDG and Poverty team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Team Leader for the MDG Achievement and Poverty Reduction Programme. The Research Assistant will:

Provide research support to the members of the team on poverty and MDG issues ; in particular this may involve:

• Assisting the team leader to collect/compile/analyse data for Poverty reports;
• Editing skills are required as a lot of editing will be done;
• Producing between three and five short Practice Notes or Discussion Papers on pre-selected issues with support from specialists and the Team Leader;
• Undertaking/Synthesizing secondary research, as appropriate, to support the development of projects and/or team activities;
• Support in localizing the SDGs.

Support the development of Knowledge Products and activities for the Inclusive Growth Programme. This will include:

• Developing an information dissemination strategy to reach partners including governments, civil society organizations, regional organizations and individuals;
• Developing an electronic list (e-list) for disseminating the practice notes and other products to targeted groups;
• Assist the MDG and Poverty Programme team with related assignments as and when required. This will give an opportunity for the intern to learn about UNs administrative and financial systems.

Assist the MDG and Poverty Programme team with related assignments as and when required. This will give an opportunity for the intern to learn about UNs administrative and financial systems.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• 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 favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Focus on result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP may accept interns providing the following conditions are met:

Education:

• Master’s degree in development studies or Economics; or
• Enrolled in a degree programme 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
• 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;
• Not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

Experience:

• Related work experience will be an added value;
• 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 Purposeand to the ideals of the UN Charter; and
• 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.

Language:

• Proficiency in English and normally at least one additional UNDP working language (i.e., French or Spanish);
• Fluency in Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian is an asset;

How to Apply:

Interested applicant is invited to submit the following documents to http://www.fj.undp.org/content/fiji/en/home/operations/jobs/

• A duly completed “UNDP internship application form” can be downloaded from the link http://www.fj.undp.org/content/fiji/en/home/operations/jobs/;
• A copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• A copy of his/her school transcript;
• 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; and
• 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 insurance, proof of life/accidental death insurance valid for the location(s) in which the internship will be carried out.

General Internship Conditions:

Duration of Internship

Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. However, they will normally last no less than six weeks and no more than six months. Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns.

Expenses for interns

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;
• 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.

Interns Insurance Cover

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including CIGNA, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:

• Requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
• Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

Third-party claims

UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

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. Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.

• Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members.
• Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
• Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

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.