Background

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) team in New York provides overall strategic oversight, guidance and quality assurance, management support, and broader regional analysis, including global issues.

The UNDP RBA Partnerships and Communications Team (PACT) is seeking a highly qualified graduate student to engage as an RBA PACT supporting strategic partnerships in the region. The intern will be expected to support the partnerships team through research and analysis on specific themes such as private sector financing and Diaspora and CSO engagements, organization of partner outreach, and dialogue. The intern will also support in scanning partnership-related news relevant to Africa and mapping of IFIs. In addition, the intern will be expected to perform other complementary duties as required by the Supervisor.

The intern will be supervised and report to the Head of partnerships and Communications Unit. The internship is for a maximum of 6 months. The internship is a full-time internship and is not paid (however stipend is provided). Interns work five days per week (35 hours).

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support the development of regional and country-specific donor (including IFI) mappings and trend analysis.
  • Develop 2-page Partnership Profiles of DAC, non-DAC, IFIs (including updating financial figures), researching new strategic opportunities for collaboration between RBA and these partners.
  • Provide research input by collecting information and insights on themes such as Private sector financing in Africa, Diaspora, and CSO engagements.
  • Support in compiling lessons learned and experiences from other UNDP Bureaus in terms of engagement with some DAC and non-DAC partners relevant for Africa. ( Eg. USAID, China)
  • Support partnership-building efforts with existing and potential partners (e.g., bilateral- and multilateral development organizations, philanthropic foundations, and financial facilities) through organizing partner outreaches/meetings and dialogues.
  • Support in researching and scanning news and consolidating relevant partnerships news concerning Africa for RBA’s contribution to the Executive Weekly.
  • Support in setting up an RBA Monthly Partnerships Bulletin including collecting and collating relevant information for the bulletin.
  • Support communication and dissemination of information on strategic partnerships including the development of outreach materials/products.
  • Support the organization of meetings, events, webinars, etc; prepare meeting minutes/notes to file, and undertake follow-up actions as needed.  
  • Attend events/meetings that are relevant to RBA’s partnership scope of work, and capture/report outcomes.
  • Apart from the above the Intern will also be required to execute other duties and assignments as entrusted by RBA Strategic Partnerships Specialist.

Competencies

  • Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision,
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty,
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills,
  • Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines,
  • Commitment to the UNDP vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Expected Deliverables

  • RBA inputs for the Executive Weekly compiled on time
  • RBA Monthly Partnerships Bulletin
  • Donor mappings in support of regional and country initiatives
  • Outreach materials/products on strategic RBA partnerships developed
  • 2-page donor profiles on RBA partners
  • A  lessons learned document on engagement with a selected DAC/Non-Dac partner

Communication Skills:

  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication,
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills.
  • Commitment to the UN/DP vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Teamwork:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals,
  • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others,
  • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 in Economics, African Studies, History, Social Science, International Development, Development Studies, or other relevant fields),
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as described above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

  • Proven understanding of international development, development financing and multilateralism particularly the UN system
  • Excellent analytical and data handling capability
  • Good understanding and experience in current knowledge management technologies
  • Excellent organizational, general administration, time management skills
  • Demonstrates strong computer skills and ability to produce information visually
  • Ability for problem-solving, multi-tasking, meet deadlines and work under pressure, strong follow-up skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team in a constantly evolving work environment

Intern conditions:

  • UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship,
  • UNDP offers a modest monthly stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station,
  • All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government, or institution,
  • 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,
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship,
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan,

Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.