Background

UNDP began its operations in Albania in 1991. As a member of the United Nations Country Team in Albania, the UNDP works with the government and people of Albania, including its civil society and businesses, to strengthen the rule of law, promote human rights and freedoms, protect the environment and support economic and social reforms for social inclusion and an equitable society. 

The United Nations Development Programme works with partners to promote economic and social reforms and innovations that help bring services to those who need them most – unemployed youth, vulnerable women, Roma and Egyptian communities and persons with disabilities.  It further provides support to independent institutions and fundamental democratic processes to foster rule of law and for deepening democratic practice. Through its programmes, UNDP promotes sustainability, identifying working solutions to respond to climate change by protecting Albania’s rich biological diversity and natural resources for future generations. 

Noting that the EU principles and the core values of the United Nations are shared, UNDP actively supports Albania’s EU integration. UNDP’s main goal is to translate principles of the UN and the EU into daily practice of the institutions of Albania, and into social, economic, political and cultural opportunities for men and women of Albania to live knowledgeable, healthy and prosperous lives.

The ultimate goal of UNDP is sustainable human development for an Albania:

  • which deepens its democratic practices and ensures that all Albanians and Albanian institutions are equally accountable before laws that are in line with UN Conventions and international human rights norms and standards; 
  • whose public and civil society institutions at all levels work towards removing barriers for all men and women, especially vulnerable groups, to participate in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the country; and leverages the market for equitable growth that benefits the poor;
  • whose people have access to social and physical infrastructure that responds to their local needs and protects and ensures sustainability of natural resources for future generations;

UNDP’s work targets all levels of government and across the country, working with regional and local authorities that provide services to the people and support their capacities to participate in Albania’s economic and institutional reforms and its EU accession processes.

The Resident Coordinator is the designated Representative of the Secretary General in the country. He leads the UN Country Team in Albania and is also the Resident Representative of UNDP Albania.

The UNDP Country Director is responsible for ensuring the effective day-to-day management of UNDP Country Office and assumes overall responsibility for the UNDP programme and operations to ensure coherence and strategic direction of UNDP activities.

UNDPs work is clustered around mutually interlinked four programme areas: Social Inclusion, Democratic Governance and Rule of Law, Environmental and Climate Change, Economic Growth and Employment. A more detailed view on the focus and work of programme clusters is given in section 2 of these ToRs. 

UNDP Albania has a Communications and Advocacy Unit which provides strategic communication support to UNDP programme, works to raise awareness about impact of UNDP programmes, provide visibility for donors and partners.

Aiming to advance its current initiatives and expand on new ones, UNDP Office has organised internship programme to provide a framework by which young professionals from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNDP offices, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments as well providing an opportunity to make substantive contributions to an office’s work.

Duties and Responsibilities

At least five Interns will be selected to support the work of UNDP Country office and specifically of the UNDP Country Director, of the Communications Officer and of UNDP programmes, namely: Democratic Governance and Rule of Law, Environment and Social Inclusion. As follows, an overview of each cluster and main tasks expected to be carried out by interns is outlined.

1. UNDP Country Director

The Country Director (CD) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the UNDP Country Office and assumes overall responsibility for the UNDP programme and operations to ensure coherence and strategic direction of UNDP activities.  The CD has delegated financial authority, including project approval authority, as well as management and internal controls responsibilities. The CD leads and supervises the UNDP senior management team. Moreover, it oversees the effective design and management of a focused, strategic, coherent, and cost-effective UNDP programs and projects, and creates an effective platform for coordinated delivery. The CD, continuously assesses the political and socio-economic situation and trends in Albania to ensure that UNDP programmes are relevant and responsive to emerging priorities and needs.

In this view, the candidate will engage, inter alia in the following activities:

  • Support the Country Director in coordinating and managing tasks from a substantial/content viewpoint;
  • Assess the political and socio-economic situation and trends in Albania to ensure that UNDP programmes are relevant and responsiveness to emerging priorities and needs;
  • Keep the CD updated with ongoing and forthcoming assistance in the areas covered by UNDP and advise on ways to coordinate and synergize as well as complement such assistance;
  • Identify and suggest linkages and synergies among Country Office projects;
  • Support in ensuring quality of documents, concept notes and related documents falling under CDs work;
  • Undertake research on new topics as needed and advised by CD;
  • Support in formulating new program / project areas and develop proposals as needed;
  • Support and backstop programme team as needed and advised by Cd;
  • Perform other duties of a reasonable nature as and when required.

2. Democratic Governance and Rule of Law Cluster

UNDP’s partnership with Albanian institutions and people at national and local levels promotes democratic values and processes, on the one hand through helping to make institutions more accountable, transparent, inclusive and responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens, developing greater institutional capacities to deliver services, and improving people’s access to justice and public administration, and, on the other, encourages civil society and citizens' engagement to participate actively in the political life and decision-making for an increased democratic culture and governance and sustainable development based on mutual trust

The DG&RL Department is contributing substantially to the improvement of local governance and is currently initiating support actions to rural development in Albania, in view of the “Integrated Rural Development“, Program.

In this view, the candidate will engage, inter alia in the following activities:

  • Undertake research/analysis/compilation of background information in the area of rural development, with a focus on rural tourism;
  • Keep the Programme Specialist and team updated with ongoing and forthcoming assistance in the area of rural development and advise on ways to coordinate and synergize as well as complement such assistance;
  • Draft, prepare, review and format documents related to activities undertaken by the cluster in the area of rural development;  
  • Support in coordinating/organizing workshops, including meeting reporting;
  • Assumption of other responsibilities, temporary or permanent, that the programme specialist may deem necessary;

3. Environment

UNDP supports nature conservation that takes into account competing pressures on the environment from socio-economic activity. UNDP works with national partners to support policies for climate change (mitigation and adaptation) at national, regional and municipal levels as well as policies related to renewable energy, and pilot projects to boost the solar energy market. UNDP’s assistance goes to ensure resource efficiency in line with EU 2020 strategy contributing to a low carbon society and green growth. UNDP works to increase marine and coastal protected areas, and strengthen their management. Our efforts also go to ensure compliance with the acquis communautaire in the field of nature conservation bringing the national protected areas in line with the demand of “Habitat” and “Birds” Directives enabling Natura 2000 designations to be integrated successfully into existing protected areas structure. UNDP partners with civil society organizations working in the area of environment providing them with financial and technical assistance for activities that protect the environment and build livelihoods.

In this view, the candidate will engage, inter alia in the following activities:

  • Perform technical, statistical, and economic analysis, data collection, spreadsheet creation and management;
  • Conduct detailed fact finding and primary and secondary research, including web-based research, interviews, and field measurements;
  • Support in research and other activities related to Environmental and Climate Change;
  • Support in using the above to propose platforms to encourage sustainable behavior changes with measurable emission reductions and cost savings;
  • Assess energy technologies and analyzing technology and market trends;
  • Draft solutions technology and operational approaches for utilities, government, and energy companies through technical reports and presentations;
  • Assumption of other responsibilities, temporary or permanent, that the programme specialist may deem necessary;

4. Social Inclusion

Inclusion means that people are part of the social, economic, political and cultural life of their country and that their voices are heard and that they are able to use their capabilities, and access resources, including financial and business opportunities. UNDP helps social and economic inclusion in Albania through supporting policies and implementation measures designed to avoid exclusion by helping to remove barriers that stand in the way of people realizing their full capabilities. Group specific implementation measures (e.g. policy responses and action plans) are of critical importance for Roma and Egyptian communities as well as Persons with Disabilities, in no small part due to EU accession related commitments.

One of the main projects of this cluster is the EU-funded ReLOaD, which aims to strengthen partnerships between local governments (LG) and civil society by scaling-up a successful model of transparent and project-based funding of Civil Society Organizations (CSO). The Western Balkan (WB) countries are facing complex set of similar development challenges. These countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), FYR Macedonia, Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Montenegro, and Serbia, invest significant efforts to mainstream the EU accession agenda within their socio-political contexts.  An integral part of the EU accession agenda is to promote inclusion of civil society and further development of participatory democracies in the Region. All WB countries face these challenges, specifically related to the lack of collaboration between the government and civil society.

The lack of transparency of existing public mechanisms for support of CSOs, mainly at the local level, is perceived as mayor obstacle to development and functioning of credible civil society in Albania. The underlying intention of the Project is to put in practice and sustain a transparent, development-oriented and project-based approach to funding of CSOs by municipal budgets that contributes to realization of legitimate local priorities in line with local development strategies. The ReLOaD in Albania will work with 12 municipalities and it will be implemented in the period 2017 – 2020.

In this view, the candidate will engage, inter alia in the following activities:

  • Data entry, data analysis related to project activities;
  • Assist in follow up activities on Public Calls for Local Governments;
  • Support in the organization of activities on capacity development of CSOs within targeted localities;
  • Support in monitoring of CSO projects’ implementation through combined monitoring teams;
  • Assist in project visibility and promotion through social media and other media channels;
  • Perform other duties of a reasonable nature as and when required.

5. Communications

The UNDP Albania has a communications and advocacy unit which provides strategic communication support to UNDP programme, works to raise awareness about impact of UNDP programmes, provide visibility for donors and partners. It deploys social media strategically to maximize UNDP Audiences. The Unit also advocate for issues that UNDP stands for and are at the heart of the national development agenda. The communications unit also spreads awareness and promotes sustainable development goals and strongly promotes multidimensional partnerships at the benefit of UNDP’s development work.

In this view, the candidate will engage, inter alia in the following activities:

  • Support in updating and maintenance of the UNDP website;
  • Provide daily support in Social media and social networking;
  • Assist the communication’s officer in the organisation of key events and communication opportunities;
  • Research and monitor relevant websites and social media channels as needed to feed content into the work of the communications team;
  • Assist the communication’s officer in tasks related to photography and communications’ library.

Competencies

Professionalism:

  • Ability to demonstrate sufficient technical knowledge to perform effectively and independently;

Teamwork:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously with peoples of varying professional backgrounds and cultures, ability to adapt to a multi-cultural environment; demonstrated gender-sensitivity;

Communication:

  • Excellent inter-personal and communication skills (tact and discretion; a high level of public presentation skills);
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;

Planning and Organizing:

  • Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
  • Ability to plan, organize, and execute specific tasks with good time management skills;

Accountability:

  • Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
  • Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;

Integrity:

  • Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviors;

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application 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 in (a) and (b) above) in one of the following disciplines:                              

  • Public / business administration, public policy, development studies, international relations, economics, rural development, tourism, social studies, environment and climate change, public administration, employment, social inclusion, information and communication technology, mechanical and/or electrical engineers and computer science and any other related field.   

Language       

Fluency in spoken and written English.

 

How to Apply:

The candidate should apply online through the Job Site website by submitting his/her CV accompanied with motivation letter.

Selected candidate must submit following documents:

Kindly note that selected intern will be required the following:

  • a Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether he/she is fit to travel and   has had the required inoculations for the country or countries to which the intern is to travel; (Can be obtained from a Family Center (State one), free of charge)
  • proof of medical insurance valid for the location(s) in which the internship will be carried out;

Financial Issues:

Internships within the UN system are unpaid and subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with prior to signing his/her internship agreement.

The costs associated with the internship 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 etc.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment:
 

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.
More information available at: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/about_us/jobs/internships/

More information on UNDP internship available at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html

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.