Background

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

The United Nations Development Programme in BiH, with the support of UNDP's global network, has been helping the country to attract and use international assistance since 1996. Our main goals are the reconstruction of the country following the conflict, supporting and building national capacity in key sectors, advancing human development and helping to shift the focus of development planning from post-war recovery to long-term strategic development.

In close collaboration with other UN Agencies, UNDP focusses its programme on the four priority areas of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), with the goal of improving the lives of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of strengthening efforts to achieve a peaceful democratic society and of helping BiH to achieve long-term sustainable development through the sectoral issues:

• Strengthening democratic governance, including building and developing government capacities;
• Reducing social exclusion and aligning social policies with European standards and ratified UN and other international conventions;
• Promoting rural and regional development with an emphasis on socio-economic recovery and poverty reduction;
• Improving security through disarmament and security sector reforms and promoting judicial reform with an emphasis on war crimes prosecutions, transitional justice, access to justice and victim and witness support activities;
• Developing and implementing biodiversity and water conservation and energy efficiency initiatives.

By applying UNDAF areas, UNDP is integrating building youth capacity giving them opportunity to experience international development environment, to practice their skills and develop deeper understanding of UNDP network.

One of the good practice schemes that brings youth perspectives and approaches into the UNDP is internship programme that correspondingly ensures energized and responsive approach of the UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the internship position is to provide technical support to RO Banja Luka office in delivering of the qualitative and efficient support in the up-coming summer months, by keeping continuity in everyday work. The internship will be given the opportunity to be involved in the analytical phase of the potential project in the office and ensure well-organized beginning of the inception process.

The objectives of the internship position are to provide practical support to RO Banja Luka office in basic administrative desk work, such as collecting data, analyzing information, writing documents, archiving and cataloging of documents and assisting in organizing meetings.

Competencies

• Have a keen interest in the work of the UN and the UNDP and demonstrate a commitment to its statement of purpose and to the ideals of the UN.
• Ability to successfully interact with individuals of differing socio-economic, religious and cultural backgrounds both professionally and personally;
• Ability and desire to work in a team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills;
• Strong research skills and ability to identify relevant information
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Ability to work under tight deadlines;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Detail-oriented way of working;
• Innovative and creative approach to tasks;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic 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); preferably Political, Social, Economic, Legal, Philosophical and / or Educational Sciences;
• c)  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.

Skills:

• Proficiency in English;
• Knowledge of local languages would be an asset;
• Computer literacy in standard office software applications.

Learnings:

The intern will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in in-house training opportunities as applicable;
• Learn the structure, mechanisms, policies and practice areas of UNDP;
• Participate in dedicated trainings and UNDP online learning tools;
• Strengthen his/her effective writing.

How to Apply:

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

Terms and conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship; however, you will gain valuable insight into UNDP and a global network;
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or sponsoring institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for their education programme;
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• 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.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

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