Background

Purpose

 

The purpose of this internship is to support the work of AI implementation unit under the project Harnessing AI for the common good – facilitating an AI-friendly ecosystem in Serbia.  

 

Objective

 

To support the nascent AI ecosystem in Serbia by improving collaboration among public and private sector and academia and strengthen the economic development based on artificial intelligence. 
 
Background Information

 

Over the past 10 years, Serbia has made progress in modernizing its strategic and regulatory framework to support development of the information society. With digital transformation of the national economy and public administration high on the government's agenda, Serbia now has a good chance for future-proofing its administration's capabilities for rapid deployment of cost-effective, secure and citizen-focused services, and coordinated implementation of ICT policies. First steps have been made with the establishment of the central Office for IT and e-Government (ITE) and strengthening of the Ministerial Council for IT and Innovative Entrepreneurship, but expectations from these institutions run high and they need an initial push to meet the expectations and demonstrate the ability of the government to deliver. 

 

Serbia was the first country in the Western Balkan region to develop and adopt the Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy for the period 2020-2025 (hereinafter AI strategy) and to establish the Institute for AI. The newly established Institute would lead the development of AI and provide the ground for rapid development of innovations and start up ecosystem and attract the new investment.  

 

This project supports the efforts to build internal capacities of the ITE by establishing an AI implementation unit to strengthen and shape the AI ecosystem in Serbia and improve collaboration among public and private sector and academia. The AI implementation unit seeks to underpin the institutional and legal frameworks for AI, secure effective coordination and monitoring of the AI strategy and assist other institutions in introducing AI use cases in priority sectors (medicine, energy, telecommunications, transport/mobility, smart cities, education, agriculture, justice/ethics, security, environment, public administration). Thus, the project aims at enhancing the digital transformation of Serbia’s economy, in particular through increasing human capital, enhancing the regulatory framework and implementing innovative solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, the Intern will be expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Support the execution of the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2020-2025 (AI Strategy) related to the economic development based on AI solutions in Serbia;
  • Assist in coordination, communication and consultations with key stakeholders in order to provide support in identifying pain points in the implementation of the Action Plan for the AI Strategy related to economic development based on AI solutions in Serbia; 
  • Assist in providing inputs on how to boost the implementation of the activities within the Action Plan for the AI Strategy and bridge the identified obstacles; 
  • Provide support in identifying relevant leading and emerging business actors and their fields of expertise by conducting research in coordination with relevant stakeholders;
  • Assist in preparation of presentations of project findings and results; 
  • Provide support in research, analyses and studies conducted within the portfolios, related to current projects and new emerging initiatives;  
  • Provide support to communication activities, related to current projects and new emerging initiatives;
  • Establish and maintain filing system, incoming and outgoing correspondence;
  • Other related activities. 

The intern is expected to collaborate with UNDP, the Institute for AI Research and Development, and the Office for ITE. 

Competencies

  • Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work; 
  • Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly;
  • Shares knowledge and experience; 
  • Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback; 
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards. 
  • Full computer literacy. 
  • Analytical, writing, editing and verbal skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders in Serbian and English;
  • Excellent organizational skills. 

Required Skills and Experience

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

 

  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
  • 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;
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

In addition, the following would be desirable:

  • Be familiar with data syntheses, qualitative and quantitative research and analyses;
  • Be familiar with digital platforms for business purposes, content management and community engagement will be considered as an asset. 

Field of study: law, information technology, mathematics, economy, social sciences, or other related field.

 

Language requirement:

 

Excellent knowledge of written and oral English and Serbian. 

 

Internship Conditions

 

Status

 

Interns are not considered as having the status of a staff member. During the internship with UNDP, interns are subject to the Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission (ST/SGB/2002/9). 

 

Interns must not represent UNDP in any official capacity or commit resources on its behalf. 

 

Duration

 

The normal duration of internship is no less than six weeks and no more than six 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.

The envisaged duration of this Internship is 3 months at 80% part-time working status with possibility of extension for additional 3 months.

 

Medical Insurance

 

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. 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.

 

Expenses

 

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 the receiving office.

 

Subsequent Employment

 

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.

 

Termination 

 

The internship can be terminated by either UNDP or the intern for any reason upon giving two weeks’ notice. 

 

Responsibilities and obligations of the office and the supervisor:

 

The receiving office and supervisors must create a working environment conducive to interns’ substantive learning and professional development. 

 

Offices must:

 

(a) Ensure that an intern’s assignment is at the appropriate level of complexity and variety;

(b) Ensure proper supervision of the intern;

(c)Ensure that the intern is informed of UN’s policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Abuse of Authority and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

(d) Prepare terms of reference describing the tasks of interns in the office; and

(e) Provide constructive feedback to the intern regarding their performance.

 

The shortlisted applicants will be required to submit the following documentation: 

 

  • Copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date or copy of diploma if already graduated.
  • Copy of his/her school transcript.
  • Endorsement letter or letter of reference in English language from a faculty member with University heading, signed and stamped.

The successful candidate will be asked to provide, prior to commencing work, the following documentation:

 

  • A signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
  • Medical Certificate of Good Health.
  • Proof of medical insurance valid for Serbia throughout the duration of the Internship.

Applications not in accordance with the mandatory requirements will NOT be considered.

 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.