UNDP is the United Nation’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to assist people build a better life. UNDP’s vision is to assist countries in achieving the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP is mandated to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, reduce inequalities and exclusion and build inclusive institutions, while linking those to SDG and 2030 Agenda. It prioritises the advance of women, youth and vulnerable groups as part of its commitment to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind in an increasing challenging regional context which has been severely impacted by the recent COVID-19 crisis.

Through its Regional Hub for the Arab States (RBAS), located in Amman, Jordan, UNDP provides technical assistance, programming, and policy advice to country offices in 17 Arab countries, with the 18th located in the occupied Palestinian territory.  The Governance and Peacebuilding team is one of the teams providing assistance to the needs and priorities of its country offices and to regional projects and initiatives to ensure quality programming in the areas of conflict prevention and peacebuilding, inclusive political processes, human mobility, rule of law, security and human rights, state building and public sector reform and local governance. Within this team sits the Disability portfolio which contributes to the overall UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and UNDP’s vision for implementation, as well as understanding of opportunities and challenges for implementation in the Arab States region.

The Arab region continues to witness major conflicts driven by multiple root causes related to governance crisis and political legitimacy, economic challenges, social drivers, climate security and, recently, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Conflicts and violence in the region continue to be the most challenging factor that is hampering progress on human and economic development, including in the form of education, health, quality of life, freedoms, rule of law and access to justice, gender equality, and climate security.

Objectives of Assignment

The intern will support the Disability Portfolio within the Governance and Peacebuilding team in the implementation of its mandate of programme and policy support. In this regard, the intern will be involved in the daily work of the team. The intern will research current issues and case studies related to disability in the Arab region, raising the profile of the disability portfolio at country office, regional and global level, through producing and sharing disability-related content through various communications channels.

This position is part of UNDP RBAS’ disability inclusion strategy. Only candidates with disabilities are eligible to apply. If shortlisted for this assignment, you will be asked for a copy of an official document confirming that you have a disability from a general practitioner, or from an organisation of persons with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the disability portfolio communication strategy
• Prepare relevant communications materials (speeches, brochures, success stories, social media materials etc.)
• Collaborate on the development and execution of online content (images, infographics, videos, blogs etc.) and campaigns delivered across various social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
• Support publishing knowledge stories/best practices related to disability in the Arab states
• Research and keep abreast of relevant stories and news pertaining to disability across the Arab states region
• Document good practices, cases studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing.
• Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Research experience;
• Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region;

Professionalism:

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Shows pride in work and in achievement;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, especially governance and peacebuilding;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating the perspective of youth and ensuring the equal participation of young people as in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments;
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve program or services;
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
• Thinks “outside the box”;
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
• Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology;
• Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education:

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

(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);

(c) Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Fields of study: Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, ICT, International Development, or other related fields

Experience:

• Social media account management and content development skills
• Good command of information and communication technology
• Grasp of issues affecting the Arab States region
• Paid or voluntary experience working with disability issues and human rights desirable
• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) is required. French language skills would be an asset but not necessary for the assignment

Conditions of the internship

• Interns are expected to work full-time, 40 hours per week with flexibility for education programmes, following the working week of the Regional Hub for Arab States (RBAS) based in Amman, Jordan, from Sunday to Thursday. The intern must be able to work +/-2hrs of Eastern European Standard Time (GMT+2)
• The internship may be performed using flexible working arrangements if:

(a) The receiving office agrees in writing to accept an intern on the basis of flexible working arrangements; and

(b) The intern agrees that they are required to work the equivalent of a minimum of at least six weeks on a full-time basis. An internship under such arrangements must be completed within a six-month period.

• Interns are expected to use their own computer/laptop and have a stable internet connection
• Reasonable accommodation will be made if required
• UNDP will not pay interns for an internship but will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy; all other expenses connected with it will be borne by the intern or the sponsoring Government or institution.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship