Background

The UNDP Somalia Country Office, based in Nairobi, is looking for interns in various disciplines. Students from these disciplines are welcome to apply, and depending on qualifications, shall be selected for internships that relate either to the organization's strategic activities or to administrative or technical functions. Internships will allow the successful candidates to have the opportunity to work in a multi-cultural international organization:

• Civil Engineering
• Architecture
• Information Technology (ICT)
• Communication and Journalism
• Business Administration
• Project Management.
• Policy Studies
• Political Science
• Constitution.
• Local Governance
• Economics
• Law
• Procurement (Logistics/Supply)
• Human Resources.

Internships may be offered at any UNDP office. However, due to security risks, non-family duty stations (i.e. in security phase III or above) may not accept interns from outside the duty station.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:

• Conducting research;
• Assist in the preparation of various documentation and reports;
• Assist in the cataloguing of information;
• Assisting in the organization of conferences, forums or other collaborative events;

Status

• 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.

Competencies

Interns’ Expenses
Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP.
All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:

a. the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
b. 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.
 
Insurance

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 MAIP, 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:

a. requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
b. results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP may accept interns providing the following conditions are met:

a. Enrolment:
Enrolled in a bachelors/masters 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
Pursuing their university/college studies, having 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.
 
b. Skills
Proficiency in English required. Fluency Somali or in Arabic is an asset;
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 Purpose and 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.
 

Duration

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 twelve 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.

How to Apply:
Interested students must send the following documentation:

• a copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
  a letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• copy of his/her insurance cover
• 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.

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.