Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.

The Europe and Central Asia region (ECIS) covers a vast geographic area that is diverse in terms of ethnic, religious and cultural makeup. It consists of 19 countries and territories in Central Asia, South Caucasus, Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, many of which (re)emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Although the region has achieved middle-income status and relatively high levels of human development, persistent challenges to sustainable peace, effective and inclusive governance, and human rights remain.

The region has been facing several crises in recent years, including political instability, economic downturns, cost of living crisis, conflict, and natural disasters causing significant structural and economic damages and loss of life. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to negatively affect the social and economic systems of the countries across the region, impacting disproportionally women and disadvantaged groups. Notwithstanding these challenges, the countries in the ECIS region have demonstrated adaptability and resilience, with local governments – being at the forefront and closest to citizens – playing a crucial role in anticipating and responding to crises and promoting systemic recovery.

In the ECIS region, around 57% of the population is living in urban areas, growing by 1.04% annually. Urban environments provide the setting for complex interactions between population, nature, economies, and social, physical, and institutional infrastructure. Local governments play a critical role in taking hold of the opportunities and addressing complex, multi-faceted pressures in cities and municipalities. They provide frontline support to the local population, and are mandated to ensure effectively functioning governance structures and mechanisms that are responsive to the needs of the local population. However, many city and local governments have remained challenged by the rapid pace of change and urban development, weak capacities, demographic shifts, strained budgets and inadequate financing, migration pressures and overall speed of technological development.

The concept of ‘democratic local governance’ has become an integral part of local development approaches, and has provided a basic rationale for donors’ support to decentralization reforms and urban/local governments’ capacity building. Developing capacity for urban/local governance and local development is essential not just for delivering internationally agreed development goals, but also to support the process of making the state more responsive, inclusive and accountable. This is also crucial to support structural transformations at the local in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, namely the green, just and digital transitions that encourage sustainable, inclusive local development, and respond to country-specific needs. In order to achieve the goals of the Agenda2030, it is crucial to work at the sub-national levels. According to OECD an estimated 65% of all 169 SDG targets will not be reached without engagement of local and regional governments.

The Governance and Peacebuilding (GPB) Team of UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, covering ECIS region, provides advisory services to the countries in the areas of governance, anti-corruption, public sector transformation, digitalization, human rights, security, rule of law, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. It supports UNDP country offices and works with national, local and regional partners to advance new thinking and solutions to address complex governance and peace challenges in the region, towards accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader, the Intern will:

  • Contribute to the development of research and knowledge products in the field of urban/local governance and green/just transition
  • Support the organization of meetings and workshops relevant for the GPB cluster and specifically in the area of urban/local governance
  • Support day to day activities related to regional projects related to urban/local governance and green/just transition
  • Draft concept notes, background notes and analytical pieces as needed to inform the development of new programmatic initiatives within the urban/local governance portfolio
  • Prepare talking points, issue briefs and communication pieces (incl. articles, blog posts, etc.) to convey research and analytical results of the urban/local governance and green/just transition work

Competencies

  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills
  • Demonstrated cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
  • Ability to plan and produce quality results to meet established goals in a timely manner

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in relevant discipline such as Business or Public Administration or other related fields, 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.

Experience & Skills:

  • Demonstrated strong interest and/or academic background in urban/local governance, green/just transition, development, or related issues is a requirement
  • Experience in writing analytical products, drafting and editorial work is an asset
  • Prior research or programmatic experience in the ECIS region is an asset
  • A desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds
  • Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.
  • Written and spoken proficiency in English is a requirement

 

Notes:

Financial Issues

Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement. 

Starting from January 2020 interns may receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. 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.

Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs. 

Application procedure

The application should contain:

  • Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post
  • Current and complete CV in English

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

  • Official document(s) confirming your education status stated in Section “Qualifications”;
  • Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

Conditions:

  • UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
  • It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.

 

Subsequent Employment

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. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.

More information available at: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/about_us/jobs/internships/