Background
The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy seeks to hire one (1) intern at the Partnerships Group/Japan Unit. Japan Unit is committed to strengthening partnerships with Japan (the public and private sectors and civil society organizations in Japan) by playing a coordination and facilitation role within UNDP and between UNDP and Japan. Japan Unit, with close collaboration with the UNDP Representative Office in Tokyo, undertakes a wide range of activities including support for resource mobilization and management of Japan’s financial contributions to UNDP’s programmes/projects.
Japan Unit also strengthens multi-bi cooperation with Japanese development partners (mainly the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)).
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Japan Unit staff, the intern’s main output would be to assist in updating a database on the intranet and SharePoint site (uploading, archiving and organizing documents) for the Japan-funded projects. The intern will also assist analytical work and visualization of Japan’s funding trend, as well as meeting logistics and other activities to be undertaken by the Unit. The intern will support other BERA partnership group activities, if required, in addition to other tasks with prior consultation with and approval by the supervisor.
1. Operational and administrative support
- Assist the team in updating the status of projects funded through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund by liaising with relevant UNDP Units and Country Offices and collecting necessary documents including progress, final and financial reports.
- Assist the team in submission of required documents and information to the Government of Japan such as a project list for refund and confirmation of receipts
- Assist in conducting research on Japan’s funding trend in the regions and recipient countries as well as Japanese private sector engagement in development.
- Provide logistical support for events, consultation and workshops that the Japan Unit will organize
- Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor
2. Data compilation and communication
- Input and maintain the database on the projects funded by Japan.
- Assist in visualizing data and preparing presentation materials of the Japan Unit for internal and external purposes
- Assist the team in translating UNDP messages, press releases and other publications
The intern is also expected to learn about Japan’s ODA funding schemes to the various partnerships between UNDP and Japan.
Competencies
- Interest in Japan’s ODA, work of the UN (of UNDP in particular) and a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter
- Energetic self-starter with multi-tasking abilities and discipline with deadlines
- Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
- Ability to work with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, and Zoom
- Experience with online analytical tools, including Microsoft Power BI is desirable
- Excellent analytical skills
- Fluency in Japanese and English necessary (both languages are must)
- Detail oriented
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent), (c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation. Candidate is also preferred to have been enrolled in a Master’s level program in international development and international studies.
Experience: While no professional experience is necessary, excellent computer capabilities are required. Experience and/or knowledge of database management is an asset.
Language requirements: Fluency in English and Japanese (both written and oral). Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
General Internships Terms & Conditions:
- Expected to be available full-time for 3 to 6 months.
- Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.
- Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
- The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.
- Due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, teleworking will be expected to some extent in compliance with UNDP internal regulations, and flexibility is allowed on discussion. Office space is available as needed.
- Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
- The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
- The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract and due recognition of work will be issued in writing.