Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

  • Sustainable development
  • Democratic governance and peacebuilding
  • Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The UNDP Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development Team in the Bangkok Regional Hub works with developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region to improve how inclusive development policies and programmes are designed and implemented. It provides policy advice and tools to fight exclusion and marginalization in areas such as social protection strategies, job creation and livelihoods, and sustainable urbanization. The team helps develop the capacity of governments to formulate strategies and public policies that promote human development, reduce poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The team responds to requests from countries to adapt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with a set of SDGs at its core to national, sub-national and local conditions and realities, incorporating regional and global perspectives. It offers support to both UNDP Country Offices and to local governments in localizing, mainstreaming and accelerating the SDGs implementation as well as works to influence national policy-making with a view to creating an enabling environment for action at local and regional levels.

As part of its core work, the team uses UNDP’s comparative advantage and experience to support countries and cities to address pressing and complex urban issues, its interrelated development choices and consequences for sustainable development. The UNDP Sustainable Urbanization Strategy outlines our unique offers of approaches, mechanisms and tools that have been successful in defining and addressing gaps for the promotion of more inclusive cities, and in strengthening urban resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

  No

                                             Duties and responsibilities

 % of time

Under the overall supervision of the Asia Pacific Regional Team Leader, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, the intern will work with other team members to develop and pilot design-led initiatives to address sustainable urban development and the localization of the SDGs in Asia-Pacific cities, as identified under the Scope of Work below.

   1

Sustainable Development and Urbanization

  • Undertake research and analysis on sustainable development and urbanization challenges in Asia-Pacific cities especially around climate related disasters, risk reduction and smart cities;
  • Support the research for and compilation and preparation of speeches, talking points, presentation materials, background notes etc.;
  • Assist the project development and implementation for urban issues in Asia Pacific;
  • Provide support on technical and administrative requirements as needed (planning meetings/workshops, assisting in preparation of presentations, reporting, etc.);

     80 %

   2

Social Media Advocacy and Outreach

  • Monitor social media accounts of partner organizations and conduct research on relevant development issues to create content for BRH’s digital communications;
  • Actively engage with the audience of BRH’s social media accounts and expand fans and followers;
  • Maintain and post content to BRH’s YouTube and Twitter accounts as necessary.

     15 %

   3

Other:

  • Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

     5 %

Competencies

  • Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
  • Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
  • Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
  • Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
  • Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

  • currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
  • currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
  • have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: international affairs, international development, sustainable development, urban planning, urban design, communications, journalism, economics, business administration (MBA) or related fields or equivalent.

Experience:

  • Experience in urban development and/or smart cities is an asset;
  • Experience with another international development organization is an asset;
  • Experience in digital communications, including digital graphic communications, is an asset;
  • Experience in writing, editing for newspapers, journals, is an asset;
  • Experience in business development and/or finance is an asset.

IT skills:

  • Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
  • Proficiency in video editing or graphic design tools is an asset.

Language skills:

  • English is required;
  • Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of Thai is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

  • UNDP internships are not remunerated. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are 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;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.