Background

The Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) is UNDP’s social and environmental compliance review mechanism, conducting independent investigations to ensure UNDP adheres to its own social and environmental standards and procedures, in particular the Social and Environmental Standards (SES).

The SES apply to all UNDP projects, programmes, and activities. SECU is housed within the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) and forms one of the two units that comprise UNDP’s Accountability Mechanism, the other being a dispute resolution function located in headquarters’ programmatic management team.

Due to specific needs that have arisen in its work portfolio, SECU seeks an intern with native or bilingual Spanish fluency to assist in Latin America-focused work. This work includes researching topics connected to Latin America, reviewing English and Spanish documents, assisting in communications with Latin American stakeholders, translating and interpreting between English and Spanish, taking notes in meetings conducted in English, Spanish, or both, conducting outreach to Spanish-speaking stakeholders, and assisting in other tasks related to SECU’s general operations

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the SECU Research Analyst / Unit Coordinator, the Intern will be asked to complete tasks from the following:

• Assists in policy and/or factual research (in English or Spanish);

• Assists in social media, traditional media and other outreach/communication campaigns (English or Spanish);

• Assists in translating legal, policy, and other documents between English and Spanish;

• Assists in interpreting meetings/interviews between English and Spanish;

• Assists in editing, formatting, and drafting relevant documents;

• Assists in identifying, collating and analysing potential evidence (English or Spanish);

• Assists in various administrative tasks, such as note-taking in English or Spanish;

• Undertakes other related functions as requested by the SECU Research Analyst / Unit Coordinator or others at OAI/SECU;

• Possesses a willingness to be adaptive, take on extra responsibility, be proactive and willing to help on whatever needs assistance.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity;
• Demonstrates the ability to remain objective, neutral and independent;
• Displays cultural sensitivity;
• Produces timely, quality outputs;
• Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks;
• Writes clearly and effectively; and
• Speaks clearly and convincingly

Required Skills and Experience

• Currently enrolled in a bachelors or advanced degree program, or has graduated within one year of obtaining a bachelors or advanced degree, in a related field such as communications, marketing, law, international development, international affairs, human/environmental rights law, international public policy or other related field;
• Enrolled in or recently graduated from (within one year) a relevant graduate degree program, preferred;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (word, power point, excel) required;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish required;
• Knowledge of social media platforms required;
• Proficiency in other languages, particularly French, desirable;
• Knowledge of graphic design software (Adobe suite, etc) and online communications tools (Mail Chimp, Survey Monkey, etc)  desirable;
• Interest and/or experience in international development, social/human rights, environmental policy, labor rights, gender equality, indigenous people’s rights, desirable.