Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

  • Sustainable development
  • Democratic governance and peacebuilding
  • Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

 

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The context of Youth Empowerment

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the important role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and calls for action against the challenges faced by young people that limits their economic, social and political inclusion. Today, young people are more connected, more creative, more informed and more persuasive than any previous generation. Young people are responding to the challenges of today with innovative approaches, contributing fresh ideas, creating the world they want, and driving human development for themselves, their communities and their societies. But at the same time, due to COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-political challenges, many young people are at the risk of economic insecurity. In addition, many young people are left out of decision-making processes, which further contributes to their marginalization and exclusion.

 

Youth Co:Lab – Website

Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for Asia-Pacific countries to invest in and empower youth to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. By developing 21st century skills, catalyzing and sustaining youth-led startups and social enterprises across the region, Youth Co:Lab is positioning young people front and center in order to solve the region’s most pressing challenges. In addition to supporting youth entrepreneurship, Youth Co:Lab also works closely with multiple stakeholders across the region, including governments, civil society and the private sector, to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and policy support to better enable young people to take the lead on new solutions that will help meet the SDGs.

 

Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) - Website

In the recent past, we are witnessing increased interest, engagement, and activism by young people towards the climate agenda. Through climate strikes etc. young people call for governments and other relevant stakeholders to take collective actions on climate change. With this context in mind, it is important to engage the voices of young people and identify actionable initiatives to lay the foundation for ambitious climate actions. Meanwhile, governments are also increasing their climate ambitions leading up to the COP26 and youth inclusion in this agenda has increased from 40% in 2015 to 75% in 2020.

To foster this interaction and empower action, UNDP Asia-Pacific in collaboration with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, UNICEF South Asia, UNFCCC Regional Collaboration – Bangkok, British Council, YOUNGO, Movers Programme and 2030 Youth Force are co-convening a regional platform. This platform is established in order to achieve following objectives.

  • Awareness for Action - Raising awareness of young people for climate actions (at individual, organizational and policy level)
  • From a Promise to Action – Support governments to engage young people in meaningful ways to implement NDCs (designing programmes, implementation, monitoring and reporting)
  • Knowledge for Action – Enable thought leadership to reach wider and right audiences (curation, dissemination, impact measurement)
  • Resources towards Action – Support young people and youth organizations with resources in order to scale up their climate actions (financing, mentoring, showcasing)

Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES:

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

No

Duties and responsibilities

% of time

1

Event Management Support for the Young Environmental Human Rights Defenders Forum

  • Support in the production of event documents (e.g. logistics note, draft participants list, event invitations and relevant background materials)
  • Support to finalize logistics for the event including venue confirmations, logistics for participants and speakers, evening activities, volunteer preparation etc.
  • Support to finalize the event report including inputs from key partners of the event

35%

2

Event Management Support for the Strategic Intelligence Hub Policy Forum  

  • Support in the production of event documents (e.g. logistics note, draft participants list, event invitations and relevant background materials)
  • Support to finalize logistics for the event including venue confirmations, logistics for participants and speakers, evening activities, volunteer preparation etc.
  • Support to finalize the event report including inputs from key partners of the event

35%

3

Event Management Support for the Youth Co:Lab Summit 2023

  • Support to evaluate venue options for participants that is agreeable to both UNDP and key partners, and advise on the layout of the venue, including promotional material (banners, posters) to be developed;
  • Develop agenda for Evening events during Youth Co:Lab Summit 2023;
  • Coordinate with key partners on the recruitment, training and management of volunteers for the summit;

20%

4

Other:

  • Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

10%

 

Competencies

 

  • Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
  • Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
  • Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
  • Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
  • Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

  • currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
  • currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
  • have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study:  In sustainable development, business administration, social/human sciences, political sciences, international relations, gender or development policy or equivalent.

 

IT skills:

  • Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools; 

 

Language skills:

  • Fluent English - both written and spoken in addition to native proficiency in Thai required;
  • Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

 

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

  • UNDP will not pay interns for internship but will provide a stipend in the amount of THB 8,302.50 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy; all other expenses connected with it will be borne by me or my sponsoring Government or institution;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.