Background

UNDP, the global development network for the United Nations system, is present in over 170 countries and territories and is uniquely equipped to help developing countries build sustainable capacity to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In support of this, UNDP offers a wide range of solutions to global, regional and national development challenges through a comprehensive knowledge network, expert practitioners and focused strategic areas of support.

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (SP) emphasizes the need to identify, explore, test, evaluate and scale up innovative approaches across priority subject areas, in programme development, management and review, through established and new knowledge and collaboration partnerships, and as a key part of our own institutional innovation. The SP identifies a specific result in the Integrated Results and Resources Framework related to innovation: “innovations enabled for development solutions, partnerships and other collaborative arrangement”). To achieve these results, UNDP will focus on the following two areas: (1) Innovative methodologies and tools for scanning the horizon, collecting and analysing data, ideation and reflection, and prototyping and testing development solutions; and (2) Innovative methodologies and tools for co-designing and scaling up demonstration projects identified/developed and ready for application. Collaboration across sectors (public, private, civil) with traditional partners and as well as those actors less historically engaged is a key element in this strategy.

UNDP’s new Procurement Strategy translates the Strategic Plan into a number of game changing projects and initiatives reaching from the application of the concept of social cost of carbon into real world procurement to new procurement system arrangements for renewable energies and cutting edge battery storage technologies. Further initiatives of the procurement strategy cover areas like the introduction of monitoring and benchmarking systems for corporate social responsibility along international supply chains and the development of green procurement indexes.

The Procurement Support Unit coordinates this initiative, but requires for successful change management the substantive support by Regional Bureaux and other departments. The final success of these change initiatives will be measured by the extent to which UNDP country offices take up these initiatives. The internal and external communication strategy is a crucial factor of success for this change initiative and requires innovative thinking and understanding of organizational psychology. The intern will assist the team in the realisation of the processes mentioned above.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Jr. Professional Expert, you will:

• Review, analyze and brief investigation reports. As assigned, provide research and drafting assistance with VRC notices, determinations and memoranda.
• Conduct research on assigned issues and liaise with other international organizations, including multilateral development banks and other agencies, funds and programs in the UN System.
• Provide research and drafting assistance with VRC determinations, memos, reports and publications, as assigned.
• Support OSO’s activities by having an active role in the office’s communication strategy, by preparing presentations and reports on business opportunities and potential partnerships.
• Draft good news stories to highlight the role of sourcing as a development tool and enabler of development results.
• Advise on the format, design and content of information materials, including the Annual Report and others.
• Make synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in procurement.
• Contribute to the implementation of operational and sourcing strategies, including full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies. 

Competencies

• Solid writing and editing skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task.
• Attention to detail is crucial.
• Responsible, responsive, and enthusiastic.
• Interest in global issues and the United Nations.
• Must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Currently enrolled in an under-graduate or graduate-level degree programme as a full-time student in the Communications field. 
• Only students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.
• Available part/full-time for a period of two months.  

Language:

• All applicants must be fluent in both written and spoken English. Additional UN languages (especially, French, and Spanish) are a distinct advantage.

Experience:

• No professional experience necessary.

Other:

Candidates who are shortlisted for an interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Writing sample (one page) explaining their interest in interning with UNDP.
• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in an undergraduate/ graduate-level degree programme.
• Copy of school transcript or Copy of the University degree.
• Letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student’s performance.

Note:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship.
• UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out.
• 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.
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.
• Interested candidates should apply by 20 June 2018. Your application should include a cover letter and resume. Please upload both as one document as the system does not accept more than one document.

For more information on UNDP Internship, please visit:

• http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html