UNDP Jobs - 66923- Intern -Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and Ri

Intern -Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and Risk Management Unit (RMU)

Location :

Nairobi, KENYA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

11-Jul-2016

Application Deadline :

29-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 Months

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Somalia provides a unique challenge in aid coordination. It requires a complex mix of humanitarian, relief, recovery, and development interventions in a deeply insecure and unpredictable operating environment. The combined knowledge and experience of the UN is required to tackle the multi-dimensional causes of poverty and insecurity in Somalia. To realize the synergies across all agencies, a strong planning and coordination capacity is required. An integrated approach will increase the impact of the UN and reduce the transaction costs on the national authorities and other key stakeholders.

The Somali Federal Government has adopted the New Deal for Fragile States. Under the New Deal, Somalia and the international community have adopted a “Compact”. This Compact has determined the key priorities for Somalia and for international partners. It should guide the aid architecture within which the UN and other partners operate. The UN system is reorganizing itself to better meet the needs in Somalia. The UN Country Team is working under one plan guided by the New Deal Compact. This demands extensive contributions by the Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Risk Management Unit.

In this regard, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Somalia has identified the need to recruit an intern. The objective of this position is to support the RCO to provide a high quality and professional service to the UN Country Team. The intern will provide secretariat support to the Resident Coordinator, helping to arrange, plan, mange, support and follow up on UN meetings. S/he will liaise with UN agencies, funds and programmes to support the design and implementation of joint programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of RCO and RMU and in close collaboration with RCO and RMU colleagues, the intern will:

Provide relevant support to UN coordination mechanisms and UNCT activities, including UNCT meetings, events and joint work through UN working groups;
Support the compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, background information and documentation as well as drafting of talking points and speeches for meetings, events and missions;
Support the organization and follow-up of inter-agency and high-level meetings or events attended by the RCO and RMU staff members;
Assist in updating and providing inputs to UN Somalia Website and other communications products;
Maintain and update the UN agency contact list for the UNCT and all the working groups involving Somali counterparts, UN staff, donors and NGOs;
Undertake research and analysis as required in order to improve the design or implementation of ongoing joint programmes and joint projects;
Perform any other task as assigned by the Head of the RC Office and RMU.
Other administrative tasks as required.

Training components and learning elements

The intern is expected to develop excellent secretariat skills including meeting planning and preparation, provision of talking points and annotated agendas, minute taking and organization of follow up.
The intern is expected to learn the structures of the UNCT and the coordination mechanisms on country level.
The intern will have the opportunity to participate in various high-level meetings coordinated or chaired by the RC Office

Impact of results

Strengthening of overall coordination capacity and implementation of the UN System reform. In particular, the key results improve the effectiveness of the UN’s activities in Somalia and ensure the implementation of the UN Strategy in support of national strategies and priorities.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge and Learning Management;
Shares knowledge and experience from within and outside the UN Country Team;
Encourages UN staff to share knowledge;
Develops deep understanding of the UN planning processes.

Coordination Effectiveness

Ability to bring together UN staff working on the design and implementation of UN programme activities, strengthening of strategic partnerships;
Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with UN Agencies and main constituents, advocate effectively, communicate sensitively across different constituencies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or Masters in international development studies, international relations, social sciences, political science, law, economics, management, or other relevant fields.
Candidates must, at the time of application, 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); or
Have graduated and be within one-yearof graduation of any of the above.

Experience:

A demonstrable interest in the UN’s work in Somalia, communications and media coverage of the UN in Somalia.
Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and experience with design software, such as InDesign strongly desired.
Experience of volunteer work would be considered an asset.

Language:

Fluency in English with superior drafting skills;
Good knowledge of Somali would be considered an asset.

Duration:

Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. However, duration is from six weeks to six months.

Status:

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members.

Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.

Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Third-party claims:

UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

Interns’ Expenses:

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP.

All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:

The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
The student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Insurance

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:

Requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.