Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, that includes programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various UN inter-governmental bodies, as well as global, regional and national media. The main functions of BERA are (1) Resource mobilization, coordination and partnership management (2) UN & Multilateral coherence; and (3) External Communication to raise UNDP’s profile and improve communication.  BERA’s top priorities over the next 12 months are fundraising and positioning of UNDP in light of the recently agreed Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and UN reform imperatives.

BERA consists of the Directorate, Strategic Analysis Unit and three Groups: Partnerships (PG) Communications (CG), and UN System Affairs (UNSAG).  In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in five major donor capitals and regional advisors posted in each of the five UNDP regional hubs.

The Partnerships Group (PG) facilitates UNDP’s partnerships and actively supports resource mobilization for UNDP’s work globally from governmental and non-governmental actors alike.It work in pursuit of three fundamental objectives as outlined in the Resource Mobilization Action Plan:

  1. Stabilize and raise core resource contributions
  2. Coordinate and support the mobilisation of project based non-core resources; and
  3. Diversify UNDP’s funding base by supporting fundraising through private institutions and individuals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Partnerships Group Team Leaders the Intern will undertake tasks from one or more of the areas listed below. Learning and mentoring as well as facilitating exposure to a range of experiences for the intern will be an explicitly targeted goal during the internship.

International Financial Institutions (IFIs), Development Banks (DBs):

  • Analyze status of collaboration between International Financial Institutions (IFIs), Development Banks (DBs)and central/national banks with UNDP;

  • Identify recurring bottlenecks/gaps of IFI/DB/UNDP collaboration; opportunities and projects for replication; case studies;

  • Collect and analyze information, policies and procedures, and case studies related to IFIs and DBs collaboration with UNDP; as well as material from external sources (including from other UN agencies) for comparative analysis and to incubate innovative approaches and ideas;

  • Draft two-pagers (Guidance Notes) summarizing key aspects of UNDP’s work with each IFI and Development Bank;

  • Develop standard presentations and accompanying talking points on key issues related to UNDP’s engagement with IFI/DBs for use in various fora.

Regional Partnerships Support and Research:

  • Assist the delivery of demand-driven advisory services in the areas of partnerships and resource mobilization to country offices through UNDP’s regional partnerships advisors, including for crisis countries if needed;

  • Support the development of regional and country-specific resource mobilization mappings and action plans including the identification and elaboration of priority proposals to mobilize funds for UNDP;

  • Analyze and compile emerging partners’ global development policies, practices and budget allocations;

  • Assist development of service lines and guidance materials to promote BERA’s work in its regions, including collating of best practices.

Donor Research:

  • Analyze donors’ aid policies, practices and budget allocations including contributions to multilaterals;

  • Collect and analyze information, policy briefs, reports, academic journals and news articles related to traditional donors from a variety of sources e.g. conferences, workshops, think tanks and organizations;

  • Support the development of country specific strategies including the identification of targeted interventions to mobilize support for UNDP;

  • Provide support to planned and ongoing cross-cutting resource mobilization initiatives.

Organizational Development:

  • Undertake analyses and support implementation of corporate initiatives, such as BERA work planning and reporting, across BERA units/groups to ensure coherence and strategic applications of BERA’s vision/value proposition for UNDP;

  • Assist the analysis and reform of corporate policies and procedures on partnerships and resource mobilization;

  • Analyse and provide substantive commentary to Global and Country Programme Documents.

Communications:

  • Support communication and dissemination of information including the development of outreach materials/products as well as presentations for client country office and external partner relations;
  • Support to knowledge management through analysis, compiling lessons learned, enhancing web/intranet presence and use of social media.

Events Logistics:

  • Support the organization of missions, meetings, events, webinars, etc;

  • Prepare meeting minutes/notes to file;

  • Undertake follow-up actions as needed.

Perform other duties as may be required.

Competencies

  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP

  • Proven understanding of international development and multilateralism particularly the UN

  • Excellent analytical and data handling capability

  • Good understanding and experience in current knowledge management technologies

  • Excellent organizational, general administration, time management skills

  • Strong English language skills (oral and written)

  • Demonstrates strong computer skills and ability to produce information visually

  • Ability for problem-solving, multi-tasking, meet deadlines and work under pressure, strong follow-up skills

  • Ability to work as part of a team in a constantly evolving work environment

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications

Enrolled at graduate level.

Years of experience

Relevant national/international experience in development, international relations, management, communications, business consulting, knowledge management or related field.

Conditions:

  • 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.;

  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship;

  • 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.

Once a candidate is selected, the following additional documents will need to be submitted:

  • A UNDP Internship Application form;

  • Copy of updated CV/resume
  • Official letter from University confirming either:
    • Enrollment in graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); Enrollment in the final academic year of a university degree programme ( minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or A university degree (either one as above) within one year of graduation (The internship must start within one year of graduation);
  • Copy of school transcript;
  • Copy of University degree;

  • 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 intership with UNDP and what is expected from the experience.

In addition, selected candidates will need to:

  • Provide proof of medical and life insurance

  • Provide a Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician

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