UNDP Jobs - 71100- Innovation Facility Internship

Innovation Facility Internship

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

03-Apr-2017

Application Deadline :

27-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Minimum three months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Four to six 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

UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017 (SP) emphasizes the need to identify, explore, test, evaluate and scale up innovative approaches across priority subject areas, in programme development, management and review, through established and new knowledge and collaboration partnerships, and as a key part of our own institutional innovation. The SP identifies a specific result in the Integrated Results and Resources Framework related to innovation: “innovations enabled for development solutions, partnerships and other collaborative arrangement”). To achieve these results, UNDP will focus on the following two areas: (1) Innovative methodologies and tools for scanning the horizon, collecting and analysing data, ideation and reflection, and prototyping and testing development solutions; and (2) Innovative methodologies and tools for co-designing and scaling up demonstration projects identified/developed and ready for application. Collaboration across sectors (public, private, civil) with traditional partners and as well as those actors less historically engaged is a key element in this strategy.

The UNDP Innovation Facility will support initiatives that a) strengthen UNDP’s position as a leading advisor on innovation for development; b) enable national development actors to co-create value; c) increase understanding of the role and value of innovation for development; d) support social innovators both within the organization and from the broader development community; and finally, e) enhance UNDP’s own performance efficiency through innovative practices.

The Development Impact Group coordinates the allocation of funding and the substantive support to Country Offices with Regional Portfolio Teams consisting of BPPS staff and Regional Bureaux representatives.

Learn more about the Innovation Facility at www.undp.org/innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Innovation Specialist, the intern will be part of the Innovation Team within the Development Impact Group, within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, and will perform the following duties:

Conduct research on emerging trends in innovation for development;
Assist with the facilitation of the Innovation for Development network;
Collect and analyze data from annual UNDP Country Office project reports to share salient insights with the team, sponsors, and the Innovation network;
Support organizing and promoting HQ events on innovation;
Manage, design and develop the monthly innovation newsletter;
Create communication materials for advocacy and outreach, related to innovation for development including on UNDP’s public website and social media platforms;
Manage internal communications portals and external social media platforms;
Recommend new systems, procedures, or organizational changes to improve team efficiency;
Support on-going search and evaluation of programmatic, academic, and funding partners to the UNDP Innovation Facility;
Participate in the reviewing of UNDP Country Office innovation initiative proposals;
Participate and engage in creative brainstorming sessions and meet with change makers in the field of innovation;
Draft or supporting drafting white papers, blog posts, and other externally-facing thought pieces on emerging trends in Innovation for Development

Competencies

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English;
Excellent and demonstrated research and synthesizing skills;
Strong data collection and analysis skills (including MS Excel competencies)
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills;
Goals and outcomes oriented;
Strong attention to detail;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Strong social media skills;
Demonstrates creativity, curiosity and flexibility;
Demonstrates leadership and team-building capabilities;
Passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to innovation for development;
Long-term commitment to international development is an asset;
In-depth knowledge of methods used by UNDP’s Innovation Facility is an asset;
Knowledge of the UN system is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Enrolled in a masters programme in the areas of international development, gender studies, journalism, knowledge management, new media, or related field in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) throughout the entire duration of the internship; or
If pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, the candidate must have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree.

Experience:

Experience in working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
Demonstrated experience and interest in social innovation trends and social media;
Professional services experience is an asset.

Languages:

Proficiency in English;
Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish a strong advantage;
Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members. Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. The costs associated 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 own arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme;
Copy of school transcript;
Letter of endorsement from a faculty member who has worked with the student in the recent past and who is knowledgeable on the student’s performance;

Copy of the proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. New York, USA).