UNDP Jobs - 76577- Internship - Information Management and Data Scien

Internship - Information Management and Data Science Internship for Early Warning, Crisis Response Unit, UNDP

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

29-Jan-2018

Application Deadline :

19-Jan-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) recognizes the importance of contextual analysis, crisis prevention and recovery, and the management of multidimensional risks as fundamental for development. The objective of the Crisis Response Unit is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to respond in the timeliest and most effective manner to crisis, triggered by natural disasters or armed conflicts alike. CRU is also the leading entity on emergency preparedness enhancement, including through early warning and risk management.

UNDP’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is responsible for UNDP’s corporate crisis response strategy and capability, primarily regarding sudden onset crises and complex protracted crises, and serves advisory, coordination and operational functions. The mandate of CRU includes guiding the organization’s corporate preparedness for crisis response, which encompasses corporate early warning capacities and crisis response preparedness. CRU’s early warning team provides support to HQ and to Country Offices (COs) to address their needs in contextual risk analysis, adaptation, early action and—acknowledging unique contextual circumstances as well as unique CO requirements—provide tailored support.

In support of CRU’s engagement on early warning, CRU’s Rapid Response and Preparedness Team is seeking an information management intern to support the organization's early warning capacities, information gathering and management, tools, and competencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will provide support to the early warning team in its information management activities, particularly related to the further development and operation of the Crisis Risk Dashboard (CRD), which is a data visualization platform to track crisis risks.

Information management and tools development support may include:

Supporting the identification of the information management and visualization needs of UNDP country offices and headquarters, and transform these needs into CRD requirements for support offered by the team;
Identifying additional data sources and manage data flows that support crisis risk analysis by engaging in data modeling and database development;
Supporting the collection, management, and publishing of documents, data, information, and digital content, using UNDP’s content management systems;
Developing customized applications and tools to strengthen CRD data collection, analysis and visualization capabilities;
Developing customized CRDs that offer country- or issue-based tracking and analysis by designing and developing visual interfaces, human-computer interaction modeling, and usability testing;
Researching innovative forms of acquiring data for early warning, particularly in context where data is scarce;
Contributing new ideas for improving the CRD in terms of the early warning data, and in terms of how the dashboard is used for effective crisis risk analysis;
Supporting the selection of online news and analysis relevant for early warning through the CRD
Other related duties as may be assigned by the Early Warning Programme Specialist.
The intern is expected to participate as an active member of the team and openly contribute his/her perspectives throughout the internship.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

Data modeling, programming and database design, and data visualization;
Design of interfaces, human-computer interaction modeling, and usability testing;
Managing web content, and support workflow tasks in document repository systems;
Maintaining databases and electronic resources;
Creating metadata for digital collection;
Application of open source tools and technologies;
Knowledge of one or more UNDP’s areas of work (sustainable development, democratic governance, peacebuilding, climate and disaster resilience).

Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values:

Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
Is familiar with and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants, ethics and UN/UNDP values

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

Self-development, initiative-taking. Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action.

Working in Teams:

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate issues.

Self-management & Emotional Intelligence:

Creating synergies through self-control Fosters a positive outlook and maintains focus during period of stress and heavy work load, inspiring and guiding others towards goal achievement.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
Actively seeks learning opportunities, adopting best practices created by others

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making:

Informed and transparent decision making;
Makes decisions within his/her own span of control, recognizes issues requiring more advanced judgment and refers them to the appropriate level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation.

Exprirence:

Be computer literate in standard software applications, and with particular knowledge/expertise in information management, information systems, geographic information systems (GIS), database development, web management, visualization, or other related areas;
Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.

Working Arrangement:

The intern will be under the direct supervision of the Early Warning Programme Specialist. The intern will work closely with team members and relevant UNDP Country Offices, particularly related to Crisis Risk Dashboard operational support and further development.

This is a full-time internship (five days a week) based in UNDP New York Headquarters. The duration of the internship is three months, with the possibility of extension. The intern will be required to bring their own laptop.

These terms of reference may be modified until the beginning of the internship period. Any changes will be immediately communicated to the selected candidate.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.