Background
The United Nations Development Programme is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BMS supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners. BMS also ensures policy adherence in operations management within UN Rules & Regulations, safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis Member States and other stakeholders.
In support of UNDP’s current Strategic Plan, the Service Delivery Model adopted by the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) aims to provide more integrated, effective, and customer focused services.
Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) is UNDP’s centralized online resource of UNDP’s Regulations, Rules, Policies and Procedures for use by all UNDP staff and external partners. The POPP is the sole authoritative source of prescriptive content on programming and operational requirements. The POPP content also applies to UNDP affiliated Funds and Programmes to the extent that their authorities
The POPP is a living document, incorporating updates on a periodic basis, to align the organization’s changing business processes and needs. All of the POPP’s prescriptive content was first made available online through a User Guide. The User Guide was later transformed to the POPP in 2008. The POPP was subsequently moved to the Corporate "Share Point" platform in 2011 with added features and search capabilities. On 23 November 2012, with the recommendation of Operations Support Group (OSG) and the Bureau for Management Services (BMS), and as the first phase of the POPP Enhancement Project and consistent with UNDP’s commitment to making information about its programmes and operations transparent, the POPP was made fully available to the public. The POPP currently comprises twelve (12) chapters covering areas of Administrative Services, Contracts and Procurement, Crisis and Special Development Situations, Ethics, Financial Resources, Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology, Partnerships, Programmes and Projects, Results and Accountability and Security. The POPP centers on transparency, communication and accountability and results for better planning of resources in attaining the organization’s development targets.
The benefits of improving POPP include:
Improved understanding of the Organizations framework, including how and why we work the way we do.
Improved access to policies and procedures which in turn will contribute to more efficient delivery of results.
Lighter more agile content with links to relevant international and other standards.
More time available for actual delivery leading to enhanced staff morale.
Greater opportunity for staff to contribute towards policy development.
Greater visibility and credibility with stakeholders
POPP Transitional Task Force at a technical level was formed to provide structured support in reviewing volumes of revised prescriptive content of each chapter. Simultaneously a new platform with improved configuration and architecture has been developed where the revised POPP content would be uploaded and accessible to the public.
Duties and Responsibilities
To enhance coherence and readability of the content of the different chapters of the revised POPP, the intern, in consultation with the Project Manager, will
Provide support in formatting, numbering and ensure the final draft content is aesthetically presented to be uploaded into the new platform,
Provide support in data management and analytics
Monitor the coherence of contents and aesthetic feature of the uploaded information in the new platform,
Run data analysis related to policies and procedures.
Create communication materials and provide communication support for enhanced POPP
Perform other duties as may be required.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
Demonstrate integrity by adhering to UN values and ethical standards;
Ability to work well in a team;
Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and adaptability;
Operate in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.
Functional Competencies
Excellent Microsoft Excel, word and Powerpoint knowledge;
Excellent critical reasoning and problem solving skills;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Excellent writing skills in English.
Required Skills and Experience
Interns are selected on a competitive basis. The following qualifications are required:
Education:
Enrolment in a degree programme in a graduate school (secondary university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship.
Experience:
Relevant experience in the area of Administrative Services, Contracts and Procurement, Crisis and Special Development Situations, Financial Resources, Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology, Partnerships, Programmes and Projects.
Good knowledge of UNDP regulations and rules, policies and procedures is an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken in English is required
Working knowledge of French and Spanish is an asset
Conditions of the Internship:
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.;
Internship duration can be extended up to six months.
Candidates 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;
Complete and sign the UNDP Application Form for Internships (MS Word | PDF). www.undp.org/internships
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).