Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with 17,000 staff working in approximately 170 offices globally. UNDP works with both governments and businesses to strengthen the environment and business practices for greater alignment with all dimensions of the 2030 Agenda. The Rome Centre for Sustainable Development (RCSD) was conceived during Italy’s G7 Presidency in 2017, at the Environment Ministers’ meeting in Bologna. In implementing the G7 decision, the Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea (IMELS, currently the Ministry of Ecological Transition, IMET) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) took the decision to set up the “Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development” (ACSD). The mandate of the ACSD changed in December 2020 and the office was renamed RCSD. The intern will be supporting the RCSD project in different activities related to the organization of events, administrative support, and communication matters. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities:


The position reports to the Partnership Management Officer. The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:

  • Contribute to designing and implementation of initiatives, projects or programmes;
  • Assist the organization of conferences, workshops or other events;
  • Provide research, collect data and support the maintenance of partnership and reports;
  • Prepare relevant communications materials (success stories, social media materials etc.);
  • Collaborate on the development of online content (images, infographics, videos, blogs etc.) and campaigns delivered across various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.
  • Provide administrative support on an as-needed basis;
  • Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

 

Institutional Arrangements

The interns will report to the Partnership Management Officer based in RCSD.

 

Interns’ Expenses

Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below.  Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

(a) The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or

(b) The intern.

 

 

Stipend

Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, will be paid by UNDP.

The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.  No other payments of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.

Interns will accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.

 

Insurance

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.  Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern.  For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which: 

  • Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment; 
  • Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence. 

 

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.  Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.

 

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.

Competencies

Corporate

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • 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.

 

Professionalism

  • Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
  • Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
  • Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
  • Resolves conflicts as they arise;
  • Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
  • Highly organized, detailed oriented.

 

Communication

  • Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in fields such as Studies of management, business administration, communication, social sciences or other related fields;
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Studies of management, business administration, communication, social sciences or other related fields;
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above), and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

 

Experience:

  • Experience in monitoring  and data collection
  • Experience in organizing events and writing for social media
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office package (e.g. Excel, Word and Powerpoint,Power BI)
  • Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
  • Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
  • Familiarity with the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions;
  • Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values;

 

Language requirements

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language is required.
  • Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

  1. letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
  2. letter of recommendation from a professor;
  3. copy of his/her most recent school transcript;
  4. A signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
  5. Medical Certificate of Good Health;
  6. Proof of medical insurance.

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.

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Application Process

Note: UNDP internship application form, CV and original text need to be combined in one PDF document for upload.

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Conditions of internship

Internships within the UN system are subject to the following conditions, which the candidates should familiarize themselves with prior to applying:

  • UNDP will provide a stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship Policy.;
  • Any further costs associated with the internship 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 arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs;
  • 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 Intern must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
  • UNDP does not provide assistance with travel and/or housing and the Intern will be responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment within the UN System, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. Interns must not apply for or be appointed to a position that should be encumbered by a staff member during the period of their internship;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
  • This post is planned for 6 Months and May be extended for additional 3 months, a total of 9 months.