Background

The UN Resident Representative (RR) is the accredited senior UNDP official in the programme country who represents, leads, and is accountable for, harnessing and directing the full potential of UNDP’s global capabilities, and those of its associated funds and programmes, in support of national development strategies and collaborative partnerships.

 

The RR positions UNDP as a strategic partner for sustainable development, with the capabilities to partner at scale and deliver world-class knowledge and technical expertise. The RR assumes overall responsibility for the programmatic, operational, partnership, advocacy and communication activities of UNDP. The RR is responsible for ensuring that the UNDP programme and services are consistent with the national development priorities of the host country government, and supportive of the UN’s development efforts in the country. The RR ensures consistency with the UNDP Strategic Plan and with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The RR exercises accountability for UNDP’s policy, programme, partnerships and operational services, and the overall activities of UNDP. 

 

The RR is accredited by letter of the UNDP Administrator to the Head of State or Government. The RR reports to the UNDP Administrator through the Director of the respective Regional Bureau. S/he leads and supervises the UNDP Country Office (CO) senior management team and represents UNDP with Government agencies, in the UN Country Team, with all UN entities, donors and all other partners.

 

Since 1958, UNDP’s overall mission has been supporting the Egyptian government in its efforts to reduce poverty and to achieve the sustainable development goals. Over the past 20 years the nature of UNDP’s support to Egypt has changed and become more focused. Hence, UNDP provides support through programmes and projects that are intended to strengthen national capacities and expand the options and opportunities available to partners and beneficiaries in Egypt. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern, under the guidance and direct supervision of the RR and day-to-day supervision by the UNDP Deputy RR, will undertake the following assignments:

  • Assess the political and socio-economic situation and trends in Egypt to ensure that UNDP programmes are relevant and responsiveness to emerging priorities and needs;
  • Keep the RR updated with ongoing and forthcoming assistance in the areas covered by UNDP and advise on ways to coordinate and synergize as well as complement such assistance;
  • Identify and suggest linkages and synergies among CO projects;
  • Support in ensuring quality of documents, concept notes and related documents falling under RR’s work;
  • Undertake research on new topics as needed and advised by RR;
  • Support the UNDP RR team with information flow in the office and maintain a follow up matrix on circulation and outstanding files and general correspondence, including electronic filing and administration;
  • To undertake other assignments as may be decided by the RR and in to sit in the desk in the absence of the Executive Associate/ Strategic Support Consultant to the RR;
  • Support in formulating new program / project areas and develop proposals as needed;
  • Support and backstop programme team as needed and advised by RR;
  • Assist in arranging meetings, seminars, workshops, functions, etc.
  • Prepare background information through research, summary notes, etc. on various issues;
  • Draft and translate official correspondence;
  • Support in data collection, processing, and analysis;
  • Draft different documents and prepare excel spreadsheets;
  • Collect, record, photocopy and compile documentation;
  • Perform other duties of a reasonable nature as and when required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational skills;
  • Attention to detail;
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • Maintain confidentiality.

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP Internship Programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

Education

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in Social Sciences, Communications, or related field and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience

  • Proficient usage of computers and office software package (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
  • Experience in media and journalism is a plus.
  • Experience in writing, editing and producing materials for website content; working knowledge of photo editing software, online video publishing and experience with flash is an advantage.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English is required, Arabic is an asset. 

Others:

  • Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of: The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern, who must obtain financing for subsistence through private sources.
  • Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
  • Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants, which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
    • Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
    • Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.

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.