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, 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. 
  
UNDP’s overall mission has been supporting the Governments of Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau in its efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals. Over the past 20 years the nature of UNDP’s support to these four countries 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 the four countries.

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 Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau 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;
• 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;
• Assist in arranging meetings, seminars, workshops, functions, etc.;
• Prepare background information through research, summary notes, etc. on various issues;
• Draft correspondence, when required;
• Support in data collection, processing, and analysis;
• Draft different documents and prepare excel spreadsheets;
• 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 the following requirements:

Education:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or;
• Have graduated with a university degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Technology, 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 writing, editing and producing documentation for website content; 
• Knowledge of emerging information and communication technologies is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written, oral, and understanding of English is required. 

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 Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau. 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;
• Costs incurred by interns, including undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP, in the discharge of the activities related to the internship shall be reimbursed by  UNDP on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members or costs reimbursed to staff members, including payment of daily subsistence allowance, as applicable.

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 reference and background checks, as needed.

Interns are not considered staff members. During the internship with UNDP, interns shall be subject to the Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission (ST/SGB/2002/9).