UNDP Jobs - 71187- Intern — Sustainable Development for Small Island

Intern — Sustainable Development for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Location :

NewYork, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-May-2017

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 Months (Max 60 Working days)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 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

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are some of the countries on the frontline in the global fight against human-induced climate change. Collectively, SIDS and their citizens share many development challenges. The economic, social and environmental issues faced by SIDS Communities are interrelated and strongly influenced by external global processes. The particular characteristics of SIDS development setting are important for understanding the context in which SIDS determine their national priorities and for identifying best practices and coordinated strategies to achieve their development objectives.

UNDP is a committed supporter of Small Island Developing States, working to connect the UN global processes to regionally and locally owned development priorities for SIDS and supporting and advocating for SIDS-specific development solutions. With a broad country presence, UNDP has a major organizational investment, and a large multi-sectoral programme portfolio in SIDS.

UNDP was at the forefront of the Third International Conference of SIDS in Samoa in September 2014, with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support playing a key role in the preparations of the Conference, and actively following up on actions identified in the outcome document S.A.M.O.A Pathway. UNDP is contributing to sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth with decent work, sustainable tourism, climate change, disaster risk reduction, sustainable energy, and oceans work areas; and supporting SIDS to integrate these priorities into development programmes. UNDP is also supporting SIDS to delivery on other global commitments: the Addis Ababa Action Agenda; the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, positioning SIDS priorities high in the system-wide agendas and UNDP’s action plans.

In view to this, the Sustainable Development Cluster, at the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support, is seeking to recruit an intern to 1) assist in the preparation of inputs, including conducting policy research for UNDP’s policy and programme support to SIDS and drafting key synopses of development in UNDP programme countries; and 2) support knowledge management efforts on SIDS-related work to promote sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working with UNDP Principal Advisor for SIDS, the intern will provide support for a number of research and knowledge management activities, in particular:

Support to the preparation of inputs for the development of summary notes and synopses on SIDS development trends in a context of economic, social and environmental issues faced by SIDS;
Support the analyses of inputs to Voluntary National Reviews submitted by SIDS for the High-Level Political Forum (July 2017);
Support the knowledge management efforts of the cluster to locate and file all reports and publications produced by the organization in the past three years on SIDS and/or by SIDS.
Support the organization of UNDP events focusing on sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.
Support the preparation of a brochure on UNDP’s service offer to SIDS and SDG implementation.

Competencies

Education:

Advanced university degree in development, economics, environment, natural resources, climate change, international relations, public administration or relevant field.

Experience:

Strong knowledge of development planning processes, familiarity with the economic, social and environmental issues faced by SIDS.
Experience of working with developing countries, NGOs and communities is an asset.
Proficiency in the usage of computers, statistical software packages and content analysis.
Be enrolled in a Masters degree course that will continue throughout the internship period.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in development, economics, environment, natural resources, climate change, international relations, public administration or relevant field.

Experience:

Strong knowledge of development planning processes, familiarity with the economic, social and environmental issues faced by SIDS.
Experience of working with developing countries, NGOs and communities is an asset.
Proficiency in the usage of computers, statistical software packages and content analysis.
Be enrolled in a Masters degree course that will continue throughout the internship period.

Language:

Knowledge of English is a prerequisite, additional knowledge of French/Spanish is an asset.

Conditions of Internships

Financial Arrangements: UNDP does not pay for internships. The 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 directly, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc.

Further Career Opportunities: The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, and CV through the online portal.

Noting that only shortlisted candidates will be notified about the decision of the selection, and will be required to provide

an official letter from University confirming enrollment in graduate program & graduation date,
a copy of school transcript,
letter of endorsement/recommendation from a Professor,
medical Certificate of Good Health from a Physician,
proof of medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work, and other identification proofs.