Background

The United Nations is an impartial and trusted partner in Uganda, supporting the Government to achieve its development goals. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), is comprised of 22 resident and non-resident UN agencies. The UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative (RC/RR) leads the UNCT and is the highest representative of UNDP in Uganda. The RC/RR is also the Designated Official for security for UN Uganda.

The Government of Uganda and the UN have agreed to adopt the ‘Delivering as One’ (DaO) modality in Uganda to better adapt UN’s support to the national context. ‘Delivering as One’ is an initiative by the United Nations aimed at making the UN better coordinated and more efficient and effective. Within countries the UN aims to achieve this through having One Leader, One Programme, One Budget, and by Operating and Communicating as One.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office, where the intern would be based, supports the Resident Coordinator in achieving ‘Delivering as One’ objectives.

In particular, the intern would be working closely with the Operations Management Team (OMT) comprising of heads of operations, and the United Nations Area Coordinators (UNACs) in the areas where the UN has a strong presence on the ground. To facilitate UNDAF implementation operationally, under the UNCT’s guidance, the OMT has developed the Business Operations Strategy (BoS) to a) promote UN system coherence; b) common services harmonization; c) service quality and efficiency; and d) reduction of transactions cost. The intern will support the RCO OMT/BoS focal point in providing common services business coordination support in Kampala including the UN’s presence in Moroto, Gulu and Mbarara. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and the direct supervision of the RCO Field Coordination and Business Operations Specialist, the Coordination Intern will support the Resident Coordinator’s Office in a wide range of UN coordination-related tasks, including:

Business Coordination Support:

  • Support OMT annual review and planning process;
  • Support BoS Implementation and Reporting by updating the Knowledge Management system in relations to various OMT working groups;
  • Attend various working group meetings and keep abreast of the emerging issues:
    • Common Procurement;
    • Common Human Resource management;
    • Common Logistics and Administration;
    • Common ICT;
    • Common Finance;
    • Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (in collaboration with programme colleagues).
  • Support the tracking of common services cost reduction and efficiency gains through LTAs and MoUs usage;
  • Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the RCO Field Coordination and Business Operations Specialist;
  • Engage with a diverse group of partners and close collaboration with all UN entities in the country.

Training components and learning elements

  • The intern is expected to develop excellent secretariat skills including meeting planning and preparation, organization, minute taking and follow up;
  • The intern is expected to learn the structures of the UN coordination mechanisms at country level;
  • The intern will have the opportunity to participate in various high-level meetings coordinated or organized by the RCO.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;

 Functional Competencies:

  • Consistently approaches work with professionalism, energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong ability to manage relationships with diverse stakeholders;
  • Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills, adapting to diverse stakeholders and audiences;
  • Demonstrates strong planning and organization skills;
  • Contributes to teamwork within RCO and displays flexibility with regard to assigned tasks;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Requirements

The applicant must meet at least one of the below educational requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher from a recognized institution) in Business Administration, Management, Accounting, Procurement, Finance, Economics or related fields;
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in any of the fields listed above; and
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
  • Candidates must be able to adapt to an international, multicultural, multilingual environment, have good communication skills and can work in a team;
  • Previous experience from volunteering or extra-curricular activities linked to the Vision and Mission of the UN would be considered an asset.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is essential.

Conditions of Internship

  • UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • All the 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 or for six months immediately following the expiration date of 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.

UNDP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified Women are encouraged to apply.