UNDP Jobs - 75101- Intern-Donor Scooping Study

Intern-Donor Scooping Study

Location :

Accra, GHANA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

20-Oct-17 (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

Ghana has made significant democratic and governance progress since 1992 and has maintained relatively stable economic growth within the same period. The institutions of governance and other functioning agencies have over the years demonstrated some level of resilience in dealing with development challenges on all fronts. As a sign of its democratic stability, Ghana has successfully conducted seven relatively transparent and credible elections and transferred power from one party to another on three different occasions peacefully. Economically, Ghana has transited in a Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC) since 2010 with a GDP per capita of EUR 1,200 based on 2012 calculation. Ghana’s economy is based on services (50% share of GDP), agriculture (22.7%), composed of mainly crops such as cocoa as well as forestry activities, and the industrial sector (27.3%), representing mainly mining and construction activities and more recently oil and gas[1]. Ghana has also acceded.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting Ghana in its development agenda for over 50 years. UNDP support to Ghana’s development falls within the broader United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The last UNDAF revolves around four thematic areas 1) Food Security and Nutrition, 2) Sustainable Environment, Energy and Human Settlements, 3) Human, Development, Productivity and Employment and 4) Transparent and Accountable Governance. Following the signing of the UNDAF between UN system in Ghana and the Government of Ghana, UNDP developed the Country Programme Documents, which recognises Ghana’s transition to LMIC as well as the additional economic values and environmental implications of oil explorations in Ghana. According to evaluation report, the CPD (2012-2017) focused on contributing to assisting Ghana make effective use of an expanded resource base to advance equitable development and consolidation of Ghana’s transformational gains. Thus, the key areas of focus were: Sustainable Human Development; Inclusive Growth; Democratic Governance and Consolidation of Peace. The report also revealed that UNDP support to various development agenda in Ghana under the 2012-2017 cycle was very appropriate and aligns with Ghana developmental challenges and needs[2]. Projects and programmes were targeted as addressing important gaps identified and backup by governments and the result of such interventions have been overall satisfactory to beneficiaries.

Nevertheless, the report also highlighted several challenges that cut across project and programme management, and inconsistent management structures. Importantly, the report noted that UNDP under the 2012 to 2017 CPD cycle faced resource constraints due to UNDP funding processes which does not allow for certainty of funds. In some cases, projects loose up to 80% of proposed funding, which in turn affect the overall expected result and project impact. The uncertainly with regards to funding occurs with UNDP core funding while external funding from development donors have already reduced gradually across the cycle. The fact that Ghana is now a low middle income country equally mean that ODA will reduce and donors and development partners’ attention will shift towards trade as against aid. This is compounded by the fact that UNDP core funding has faced steady reduction over the last 5 years making external resource mobilisation imperative.

As UNDP embarks on the development of a new Country Programme Document (CPD) for (2018 – 2022), in line with the new UNDAF (2018 -2022) it is important and critical co consider channels of prospective funding for the new programme.

[1] CPD Assessment report.

[2] Further details can be found on CPD evaluation report.

Duties and Responsibilities

The prospective intern will be under the direct supervision and guidance of J-PASS Project Manager, and responsible for the following:

Conduct study to identify and list donors and development partners in Ghana and their funding portfolios;
Identify the areas/sectors of focus of the development partners and donors;
Ascertain the total budget allocations and the planned thematic areas/sectors targeted for support;
Identify each donor’s means of delivering development aid if any (E.g. through CSOs, budgetary support, UN agencies etc.)
Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the project manager.

Competencies

Competencies Required

Self-starter, self-organized and attention to details
Ability to write critically, synthesized large information and produce simple and concise content
Ability to work under pressure, meet competing deadlines and handle multiple tasks
Demonstrated ability to work in a team and ability to work in diverse environment
Good interpersonal relations skills
Have self-initiative and work independently with less supervision
Ability to communicate clearly and simply
Report writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in the field of political science, political economy, international relations, development studies or other relevant fields;
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

Experience in web-based and internet applications, proficient user of Microsoft Office (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) is required.

Language:

Fluent in English (written and spoken) is required;
Knowledge in any other UN official language (French or Spanish) is a plus.

Conditions of the Internship

UNDP will not pay for the internship, all expenses connected with it will be borne by the intern;
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
The Intern must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institutions;
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;
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Selected candidate must submit the following documents:

Letter of intent/motivation;
Letter confirming University enrolment;
Letter of endorsement from the University, or proof of (master’s programme) graduation if within less than one year;
Scanned visa document/scanned passport document if no visa is required;
Documentation of health insurance coverage for the duration of the internship.