Background

The United Nations Office for South­South Cooperation (UNOSSC) aims to be a robust knowledge hub providing advisory and consulting services to Member States and United Nations entities on South­South and triangular cooperation enabling developing countries to effectively face their leading development challenges and harness global opportunities to address them, in tandem with monitoring progress on implementing the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, New Directions Strategy and the Nairobi Outcome.

UNOSSC engages with Member States globally, regionally, as well as within the UN system to facilitate practical expressions of Southern solidarity towards the achievement of internationally agreed development goals. UNOSSC works with a wide range of partners including global centers of excellence to intensively explore how building endogenous capacity be encouraged, how broadening and sharing technological advances within the global South will systematically occur, and how emerging innovative financing mechanisms can be harnessed through South­South and triangular cooperation. UNOSSC ensures that our southern constituencies have timely access to high quality analytical planning, mapping, programming, and reporting on data, trends and opportunities that will propel South­South and triangular cooperation in ways that ensure success.

UNOSSC has established an internship programme for young professionals interested in strengthening their understanding of United Nations, UNOSSC, its mandate, mission and its work within and outside the United Nations System. The UNOSSC internship programme provides professional enrichment for young professionals, enhancing their leadership and professional skills as well as broadening their global perspectives.

UNOSSC’s Policy, Research and Outreach Intern is responsible for conducting background research and developing high­impact communications and policy materials for the Office. This internship requires strategic thinking with the ability to deliver consistently high quality, well-written, thought-provoking materials under pressure and tight deadlines.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake original research on a range of development topics (including within the context of South-South and triangular financing arrangements, South-South and triangular strategies of UN system partners, socio-economic issues, climate change, peace and security) as needed to substantively inform statements, briefings, op-eds, opinions, articles, talking points, key messages and other written communications materials.

 Assist in conducting substantive policy research and reviews related to the work of the Office.

• Prepare background notes, talking points and policy briefs for meetings, missions and other events attended by Office staff.
• Research, draft and update background documents in preparation for high-level meetings and other events; consistently ensuring a high level of accuracy and flexibility in creating, writing, and adapting content and presentation for the specific audiences.

Analyze complex information, including statistics, financial information and other numerical, qualitative and quantitative data, to extract key messages for integration into materials as required.

Attend and take notes at meetings, conferences and other events; assist in the preparation of summaries and reports of discussions.

 Support the preparation and finalization of a system-wide UN Strategy for South-south cooperation.

 Extract key messages from speeches/presentations/articles for regular dissemination through social media channels, in close collaboration with the Strategic Communications Advisor.

 Support the management of UNOSSC’s global presence on social media including regular updates and personal communications with fans and followers.

 Assist in other ad-hoc activities as instructed.

 The Policy, Research and Outreach Intern will be a member of a small executive team in the Office, and will report to the Special Assistant to the Secretary-General´s Envoy.

Competencies

• Knowledge of analytical tools and methods for undertaking substantive research on various policy related issues;
• Understanding of strategic communication and how it can contribute to the achievement of specific development goals;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Ability to write quickly, clearly and concisely;
• Ability to engage with partners and forge productive working relationships;
• Familiarity with global development issues and the world of the UN.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Qualified/suitable intern from the field of political science, international relations, communication for development, journalism, communications, sustainable development, social science, or related field with the following academic qualifications: (a) enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); graduated with a university degree as defined in (a) and (b) above and, if selected, must start the internship within one year after the graduation.

 Experience:

• Excellent general understanding of international human development, poverty, human rights and other related issues;
• Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment;
• Experience working with the Microsoft Office suite, and particularly in development of PowerPoint presentation materials;
• Experience working in web design and online content management is an asset;
• Familiarity with the UN system in general and/or with South-South development cooperation in particular is an asset.

 Language:

• Proficiency in English;
• Knowledge of the other five official languages of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) would be an asset.

 Conditions

• Internships within the UN system are unpaid and subject to conditions with which applicants should become familiar with prior to signing an internship agreement. For information visit www.undp.org/internships/
• UNOSSC accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship;
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institutions;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment within the UN System, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

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

• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme.

 Only a successful candidate will be required to submit the following nine documents:

• A completed UNDP internship application form (http://www.undp-act.org/data/articles/undp_internship_application_form_2008.doc);
• A copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• A copy of his/her school transcript;
• A letter of recommendation from a professor;
• A signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• A Medical Certificate of Good Health;
• Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance;
• Copy of passport and working visa for the United States.