UNDP Jobs - 81355- Intern - Belt and Road Initiative

Intern - Belt and Road Initiative

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Oct-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 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

The China-led “Belt and Road initiative (BRI) was launched in September-October 2013 as a vision to develop new trade and investment opportunities and as an engine for shared economic growth. The BRI, intended as an economic-commercial action to be guided by market rules and international laws, aims to make full use of the comparative advantages among countries and to connect with the existing platforms while establishing new ones. The 1st Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation held in Beijing in May 2017 showcased the economic potential and global interest in the initiative paired with high expectations on the likely impact of the unprecedented scale of investments and finance flows out of China.

The increasing role of China’s bilateral and multilateral engagement on one side and the different partner country needs and forms of engagement on the other, highlight the necessity for support from external actors to channel the different needs and demands. UNDP has long promoted China’s positive engagement abroad, worked to inspire decision-making processes, and actively support China’s position towards global public goods and efficient global development cooperation.

UNDP was the first international organization to sign a MOU with the government of China on BRI cooperation followed by an Action Plan with a concrete list of projects signed at the BRF in 2017. The strategy for engagement and cooperation is the synergies between the BRI and the 2030 Agenda. The BRI could serve as a powerful platform for economic growth and enhanced regional/global cooperation, and as an accelerator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Against this backdrop, UNDP aims to facilitate substantial and long-term progress of the BRI to international development cooperation globally and the advancement of the sustainable development. Towards this end, UNDP Regional Bureaux for Asia Pacific (RBAP) is looking for an intern to support the office in providing policy support under the Belt and Road programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will work for the RBAP under the supervision of the country coordination and liaison specialist who covers China, to support the team to produce background research and analysis on the BRI. The incumbent is expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

A) Produce background research and analysis on the Belt and Road Initiative

Analyse information on research institutes focus on China’s studies and the impact of the BRI on the advancement of sustainable development;
Identify reliable sources of information related to the BRI and the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development;
Identify relevant research papers and official documents and provide summary of key contents;
- Support the drafting of background research, global stocktaking and mapping on the BRI and prepare inputs for reports for external and internal purpose.

B) Support the specific initiatives and activities of the team under the Belt and Road portfolio

Conduct background research pieces and provide inputs on the BRI to feed into the 2018-19 UNDP-China Development Bank Report.
Prepare briefings and internal papers related to the BRI and synergies with the SDGs and support the preparation of the Team’s various activities under this portfolio.

To perform other tasks as may be assigned by UNDP RBAP.

Competencies

Self-motivated and responsible, with good communication skills and sense of judgment;
Excellent writing skills and communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis;
Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values and displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships and has result oriented collaboration with colleagues.
Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work.
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines and openness to change, receive/integrate feedback.
Curiosity and desire to work in a complex, international environment.

Required Skills and Experience

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);
(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.

Experience

International Relations and Global Affairs, Political Sciences or related fields;
2-3 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing policy support and hands-on experience in policy making and project designing is an asset.
Sound knowledge of global governance mechanisms and regional development cooperation.
Good understanding of China, politically and economically as well as its role in the global and regional development sphere with focus on the Belt and Road Initiative

Skills

Sound knowledge of Microsoft office.
Strong presentations and networking skills

Language

Excellent skills in both written and spoken English required.
Good knowledge of another UN language is desirable.