The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to the principles of universality, equality, and leaving no one behind, the UNDP supports countries’ efforts to strengthen frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change.

The constitution RDTL provides a provision of special status to Oé-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law on Oé-Cusse has recently been passed by the National Parliament.

UNDP has been providing policy advice to the SAR-ZEESM Office since its establishment and has developed a program to help the ZEESM establish and operationalize institutional and developmental structures and systems in different areas, including tourism, agriculture and water systems. In 2022, the Government of SAR and ZEESM- known as RAEOA -  expressed its desire to continue UNDP support throughout the implementation of Support for Institutional and Sustainable Development of Oé-Cusse Special Administrative Region and the Special Zone of Social Market Economy  project –Phase III (2022-2025).

The project aims to create sustainable economic opportunities, promote resilience to climate change, and ensure quality public services by working on three key components; I) Livelihood and Economic Diversification, II) Clean and Safe Water and Forest Management and III) Effective and Accountable Governance.The intern will work under the direction of the Admin & Finace officer and Project Manager in UNDP’s office in Dili. 

The Project/Programme Intern will perform the following duties:

• Assist with administrative tasks related to the project(s) management in term of logistical support and inventory ensuring that proper asset management is performed.
• Assist to process Payments, travel requenst and Claims, or any other financial entitlement are duly processed.
• Assist to the preparation of process, monitor, liquidate petty cash and leave management.
• Support the preparation of meetings, trainings, conferences, etc. including organizing and promoting learning events
• Support programme/project implementation

The position is flexible in focus, and can be tailored to focus on the successful candidate’s area of interest, such as gender equality/gender mainstreaming, human rights, justice, sustainable tourism, etc. 

Additional responsibilities of all interns:

• Participate in trainings related to their area of work
• Contribute to sharing of lessons learned and knowledge with relevant project and country office staff
• Participate in project meetings with beneficiaries, donors and/or vendors as appropriate
• Contribute to a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and positive working environment
• Support project/programme taking meeting and interview minutes when required.

This is an ideal opportunity for a young professional who is eager to learn, work in a fast-paced environment, and gain experience from the UN system. The internship position will allow for ample learning opportunities, from other members of staff as well as from training opportunities. 

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

The applicant should also have a genuine commitment towards the vision and mission of UNDP, as well as to the UN Core Values.

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

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); please provide area of study in management, business administration, finance or related field
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); please provide area of study in management, business administration, finance or related field
3. 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;
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Ideally, the applicant’s education should be in a relevant field to the internship position to which they are applying for.

STIPENDS, EXPENSES and INSURANCE

Stipends:

1. Where an intern is engaged in-person and 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 an in-person internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
2. Where an intern is engaged remotely and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme, a remote stipend intended to help cover expenses related to the internship, such as internet connections or other means to remain in contact with the receiving office, must be paid by the receiving office.
3. The monthly amount of the stipend for remote internships will be based on a standard global rate applicable for all remote internships. The amount of the stipend for in-person internships will be set for each duty station. The monthly stipend rates of both remote and in-person internships will be published annually by the Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Human Resources (BMS/OHR). The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and will be pro-rated for part-time internship arrangements.
4. 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.
5. No other payments of any kind, or advance on the stipend due, will be made to an intern by the receiving office in connection with an internship agreement, except for any reimbursements made to an intern under paragraph 33 of the present policy.
6. Interns will accrue combined sick and annual leave at the rate of 1 ½ days per month, which will be prorated to the nearest half day for part-time internships. 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 or as prorated for part-time internships, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.

Expenses & Insurance :

1. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

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

(b) The intern.

2. Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self certification 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.

3. Selected candidates for in-person internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For interns  that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

(a) Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;

(b) Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

4. UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.