UNDP Jobs - 85564- Intern_ Social Cohesion and Democratic Participati

Intern_ Social Cohesion and Democratic Participation

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Jun-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six 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

Organizational Context and Project Description
UNDP Nepal works with the people and Government of Nepal, and other development partners to pursue equitable and sustainable human development goals through eradication of poverty, increase in livelihood opportunities, improvement in community resilience against conflict, disasters and impact of climate change, while laying down strong foundations for a society based on rule of law with an inclusive and participatory democracy.

Currently the overarching priority of our work in Nepal is to help the Government and its people build a lasting peace and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by:

• Strengthening governance institutions from community to national Government levels;
• Improving incomes and generating employment;
• Improving the policy environment and planning capabilities;
• Protecting Nepal's development gains from the ill-effects of natural disasters and climate change; and
• Empowering women and disadvantaged people and fostering policies for equity and equality.

The Intern will be working with Social Cohesion and Democratic Participation Programme (SCDP) of UNDP Nepal. Building on the program infrastructure already put in place by the previous project, Conflict Prevention Programme (CPP), and effectively responding to the new political context of Nepal, UNDP Nepal initiated this intervention, ‘Supporting the Transition to a Federal Structure: Social Cohesion and Democratic Participation’ in September 2015.

After the elections of local bodies, provincial assemblies and the House of Representatives in 2017, the priority of the UN is to support the smooth implementation of the new system and strengthen its viability and credibility. During such a complex and difficult period, it is important for UNDP to support the key stakeholders at the community to central levels as well as government officials at every level, to strengthen the social contract that “glues” a functional state together and mitigate the risk associated with federalization.

SCDP is designed to support the Government of Nepal, new provincial governments, local authorities and key stakeholders to strengthen social cohesion, democratic participation and good governance during the initial roll-out of a new federal system and broader implementation of the new constitution. The objectives of SCDP are to strengthen social relations, interaction and ties; and reducing disparities, inequalities, and social exclusion.

SCDP is being implemented in provinces and districts facing social cohesion and governance challenges particularly in Panchthar, Sunsari, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Chitwan, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. SCDP’s work is mainly divided into two distinct pillars; one focuses on risk identification and the other on risk mitigation.

The risk identification pillar consists of an early warning initiative with near-term and medium/long-term components. The risk mitigation pillar encompasses three distinct initiatives that, taken together, form a comprehensive approach to addressing localized tensions and keep the social fabric intact. The three risk mitigation initiatives are i. Quick impact support to inter-community cohesion through micro grants; ii. Livelihood and income generation support; and iii. Local participation and accountability initiatives. Both pillars are shaped by a cross-cutting Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) and conflict sensitivity approaches that ensures that processes are socially inclusive and equipped to navigate the socio-political complexities of local environments.

Youth engagement and volunteerism is one of the key components of the project and it also focuses on the national implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda as outlined by the UNSCR 2250 which urges member states to increase representation of youth in decision making at all levels recognizing the threat to stability and development posed by the rise of radicalization among young people. It states that the youth should be actively engaged in shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation, as they represent a unique demographic dividend that can contribute to lasting peace and prosperity, if inclusive policies are put in place.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of National Project Manager, Social Cohesion and Democratic Participation Project of UNDP Nepal, the Intern will undertake the following tasks:

Undertake a research on social cohesion and democratic participation theme relevant to the project in consultation with the NPM and the relevant university supervisor to be produced as a knowledge product of the project.
Support collection of information and in analysis of the political, social and economic situation relevant to social cohesion, democratic participation, youth, peace and security agenda in the context of Nepal;
Contribute in preparing information briefs about SCDP activities for social media and distributions to partners;
As part of the team, the Intern will help develop youth engagement and volunteerism strategy for promoting social cohesion and democratic participation in Nepal;
Assist in maintaining information and databases on volunteer and non-governmental organizations working in peacebuilding and social cohesion with a particular focus on youth, inclusion including gender equality and women’s rights perspectives;
Support development and sharing knowledge, tools and good practices on project issues among partners through consultative meetings, community-based dialogues, trainings with partners;
Contribute in advocacy and awareness raising on project issues among government, civil society and other partners through social media, web-site posts, e-newsletters etc;
Support in meeting reporting requirement of the project by UNDP for internal and external purposes;
As part of the team, support the development and implementation of training on social cohesion, democratic participation and mutual accountability targeted at women, youth, political, government and civil society actors;
Support in creating functional knowledge management system by assisting in documenting lessons learned and best practices throughout the project lifecycle and feed into broader institutional learning.
Contribute in monitoring and evaluation of the activities conducted by implementing partners under the grants programme and support the development of monitoring, reporting formats and guidelines;
Support in ensuring Gender Empowerment and Social Inclusion (GESI) components in programme implementation; and relevant communications tools and products are developed and disseminated.
Assist in reviewing, monitoring, and reporting on the progress of GESI related targets and work plan.
Perform other tasks as required.

Key Deliverables

Youth engagement and volunteerism strategy for promoting social cohesion and democratic participation in Nepal developed and implemented taking into consideration the youth, peace and security agenda as outlined in UNSCR 2250;
Information briefs about SCDP activities for social media, websites, e-newsletters, partners and stakeholders are developed and distributed;
Knowledge management system to record and document the outcomes and learning from the project activities are developed and functional;
Monitoring and evaluation of the activities conducted by implementing partners under the grants programme are well documented;
Capacity development and advocacy initiatives promoting youth, women, and marginalized communities’ contribution to peacebuilding and social cohesion implemented;
Advocacy and info materials on youth, peace and security issues in Nepal, capturing good practices from the field and lessons learned developed;
Partnerships with government, civil society and development partners working with peacebuilding, social cohesion and conflict resolution established to contribute to collaborative programming approach;
Contributions to analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation relevant to youth, peace and security agenda in Nepal made;
GESI components in programme implementation ensured; and relevant communications tools and products developed and disseminated

Competencies

Integrity and professionalism: ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
Planning and organizing: ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP Intern must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

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) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Demonstrated interest in social cohesion and democratic participation issues and in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
Experience in youth, gender, development, peacebuilding, or conflict prevention will be an asset.

Financial Arrangements

UNDP does not pay for internships. The costs associated with the internship must be borne by the intern or his/her nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students. The intern will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc;
Further Career Opportunities: The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern's studies. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with the UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.
(The successful applicant will subsequently require health insurance coverage.) UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP. Successful applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship 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.
- Before being offered an internship position, the selected candidate will have to provide the following additional documents:
- A Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether he/she is fit to travel and has had the required inoculations for the country or countries to which the intern is to travel.