Background

Applicants who previously applied need not to reapply.

Internships offer graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. They are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complement other international studies

UNDP's support for development puts partnership at the center of all aspects of our work. Our partners include governments, the United Nations system, international financial institutions, the private sector, foundations, academia/think-tanks and civil society organizations.

Through the work of the Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding area, UNDP helps more than 80 countries to prevent conflict, reduce the risk of natural hazards and disasters, and recover following crises. It strengthens development gains in post-crisis countries by addressing the underlying causes of violence; reinforcing governance and the rule of law; supporting livelihoods; and by using short-term employment schemes that allow local people to rebuild critical infrastructure following disaster.

Integral Safety and Violence Prevention affecting Children, Adolescents and Youth in SICA countries (PREVJUVE)
The countries of Central America have improved their levels of economic growth, health, education and poverty reduction, as well as in strengthening their democracies. However, crime and violence have invaded almost all areas of society, which constitute one of the greatest obstacles to human development. Children and young people in the region are the segment would be more infringes the right to live a dignified life free from violence, abuse and exploitation.
The countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) have taken important steps, but there are still big challenges in the areas of prevention aimed at specific population groups. In this context, the SICA with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and through UNDP, has designed a project to help improve public safety by reducing the factors associated with insecurity and violence, with particular emphasis on violence affecting children and young people. The PREVJUVE project has four expected outputs:
Measurable comprehensive security policies, based on evidence and related to the Central American Security Strategy (ESCA).
Plans and institutional capacities in preventing violence that affects the children, adolescents and youth.
Innovative and best practices in preventing violence fomented solutions, systematized, evaluated and transferred in the region.
Project implemented, monitored and evaluated efficiently.

General Objective:

  • Strengthen project communication strategy design and support the implementation of the communication plan.

Specific Objectives:

  • Support outreach and communication activities to relevant stakeholders and partners for the project;
  • Support internal communication strategy to contribute to a more effective project coordination and to promote synergies;
  • Support to strengthen communication skills of the project team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The tasks of the intern will include but not be limited to the following:

  • Write and design content related to project activities for dissemination and promotion;
  • Manage on-line content and publications and keep the project website updated with relevant project information;
  • Create and manage project official social media;
  • Support coordination of regional forums and workshops related to issues of safety and security in Central America;
  • Develop knowledge products and interactive tools;
  • Coordinate with UNDP Country Offices and implementing partners to ensure smooth and timely project implementation;
  • Support to resource mobilization strategy and actions;
  • Support to documentation and coordination of knowledge management strategy.

Competencies

 Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to understand different views and opinions;
  • Able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivity.

Functional Competencies:

  • Analytical and methodological ability to organize ideas, structure texts and write documents;
  • Ability to coordinate multiple and diverse actors or individuals, for the purpose of event and project management;
  • Solid IT and communications abilities - keen interest in web-design and interactive platforms and awareness of Internet communications, marketing and outreach activities;
  • Knowledge of desktop publishing tools, particularly Microsoft Office; knowledge of design programs will be an advantage (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign);
  • Good understanding of standard and emerging web technologies, especially social media tools and channels;
  • Good team worker;
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task.

Knowledge Management:

  • Promote a culture of sharing knowledge and learning in the office;
  • Ability to translate concepts into communication and learning tools.

Operational Competencies:

  • Ability to coordinate workshops or events;
  • Ability to conduct research, mapping and identifying relevant information;
  • Ability to develop learning tools, such as videos, case studies or toolkits;
  • Ability to establish good working relationships with broad set of actors from across the SICA region
  • Creativity and initiative;
  • Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills (team-player) and the ability to work in a multicultural environment;
  • Ability to work independently and follow-through on project initiatives.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in Communications, Public Relations or Journalism desirable.

Experience:

  • Relevant experience in similar positions at national or international level, public relations, communications or journalism;
  • Experience / skills in managing website content and social media;
  • Experience / skills in writing and editing communication materials and/or publication;
  • Experience in the use of computers and office suites, good knowledge and experience in managing databases in network systems.

Languages:

  • Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish.

Conditions:

Financial Aspects:

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 will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc. as necessary.

More information is available at http://www.undp.org/internships/.

Interested students must send the following documentation to UNDP Panama Regional Service Centre/CRMI.

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 confidentiality.