Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. The Bureau leads and supports the organization in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships encompass a wide range and number of key constituencies and development partners, that includes programme countries, existing and prospective donor countries/emerging economic powers, multilateral institutions such as the IFIs, the European Commission, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia and think tanks, the wider UN system, various UN inter-governmental bodies, as well as global, regional and national media. The main functions of BERA are (1) Resource mobilization, coordination and partnership management (2) UN & Multilateral coherence; and (3) External Communication to raise UNDP’s profile and improve communication.  BERA’s top priorities over the next 12 months are fundraising and positioning of UNDP in light of the recently agreed Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and UN reform imperatives.

BERA consists of the Directorate, Strategic Analysis Unit and three Groups: Partnerships (PG) Communications (CG), and UN System Affairs (UNSAG).  In addition, BERA has Representation Offices in five major donor capitals and regional advisors posted in each of the five UNDP regional hubs.

The Partnerships Group (PG) facilitates UNDP’s partnerships and actively supports resource mobilization for UNDP’s work globally from governmental and non-governmental actors alike. Within PG, the Financial Institutions Team (FIT) was established in mid-2015 to work across UNDP to support corporate, regional and country-specific collaboration with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), multilateral development banks, regional, sub-regional and national development banks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direction of the FIT Team Leader, the Intern will undertake tasks from the list below. Learning and mentoring as well as facilitating exposure to a range of experiences for the intern will be an explicitly targeted goal during the internship.

  • Analyze status of collaboration between International Financial Institutions (IFIs), Development Banks (DBs)and central/national banks with UNDP;

  • Identify recurring bottlenecks/gaps of IFI/DB/UNDP collaboration; opportunities and projects for replication; case studies;

  • Collect and analyze information, policies and procedures, and case studies related to IFIs and DBs collaboration with UNDP; as well as material from external sources (including from other UN agencies) for comparative analysis and to incubate innovative approaches and ideas;

  • Contribute to guidance notes and partnership notes summarizing key aspects of UNDP’s work IFIs and Development Banks;

  • Develop presentations and talking points on key issues related to UNDP’s engagement with IFI/DBs for use in various fora;

  • Assist the delivery of demand-driven advisory services in the areas of IFI partnerships and resource mobilization to country offices through UNDP’s regional partnerships advisors, including for crisis countries;

  • Support the development of regional and country-specific IFI mappings and trend analysis;

  • Support communication and dissemination of information including the development of outreach materials/products;

  • Support to knowledge management through analysis, lessons learned, enhancing web/intranet presence and use of social media;

  • Support the organization of missions, meetings, events, webinars, etc; prepare meeting minutes/notes to file; and undertake follow-up actions as needed.

  • Perform other duties as may be required.

Competencies

  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP

  • Proven understanding of international development, development financing and multilateralism particularly the UN system

  • Excellent analytical and data handling capability

  • Good understanding and experience in current knowledge management technologies

  • Excellent organizational, general administration, time management skills

  • Strong English language skills (oral and written)

  • Demonstrates strong computer skills and ability to produce information visually

  • Ability for problem-solving, multi-tasking, meet deadlines and work under pressure, strong follow-up skills

  • Ability to work as part of a team in a constantly evolving work environment

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • 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 (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

  • Relevant national/international experience in development, international relations, financing, management, communications, business consulting, knowledge management or related field.

Conditions of Internship:

UNDP may accept interns provided the following conditions are met:

  • 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.

  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.

  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

In addition, selected candidate will need to:

  • Have a valid visa to work in the US

  • Provide proof of medical insurance (for applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration)

  • Provide a Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician.