Background

The Regional Electoral Support Project for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is part of the Global Project for Electoral Cycle Support (GPECS), which is UNDP main instrument for contributing to the formulation and implementation of electoral policy. The GPECS consists of country, regional, global and gender components that sustainably support policy development, knowledge management and programme support and that use a process-driven approach rather than an event-driven one. In particular, the GEPCS adopts an electoral cycle approach –as opposed to election day- looking at the electoral process over time, while seeking also to integrate electoral assistance into a wider framework of democratic governance and peacebuilding, as well as to engage with different actors throughout the cycle. The overall goal to which GPECS contributes is towards deepening democracy and accelerating human development.

The regional component of the GPECS is carried out with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Its overall aim is to improve accountability, participation and representation in the electoral and political processes in the Arab States by raising awareness and enhancing knowledge and capacity on elections and broader democratic governance topics throughout the region, as well as supporting civic engagement. The project provides expanded technical assistance to institutions, electoral stakeholders, and civil society on electoral issues. Some of the partners the project engages with include the newly established Arab Electoral Management Bodies (ArabEMBs) and the Electoral Affairs Department of the League of Arab States.

Against this background, the project is seeking to hire an intern to support in the implementation of its mandate of program and policy support. In this regard, the intern will be involved in the daily work of the team. As such the intern will prepare background research and analysis and assist in the preparation and drafting of documents that will support UNDP policy and programing in the region. This will involve undertaking specialized analysis on relevant regional thematic areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

Below are general duties and responsibilities of the intern, detailed tasks will be assigned by the supervisor as needed.

Assist in Policy and Strategy Advice and Development:

• Prepare policy briefs, sector scan, status papers on development challenges based on desk review studies and analysis for evidence based advocacy and policy development in the field elections.

• Assist in the development of now or ongoing initiatives, including review of policy literature in respect to the subject to enhance UNDP programming in the field of elections and inclusive participation within the Arab Region;

• Document good practices, cases studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing;

Project Design, formulation and other project related functions:

• Assist in Governance and Peacebuilding policy development within UNDP in the Arab Region feeding into global policy development;

• Prepare conceptual framework / concept notes on new areas of work or development challenges;

• Assist in the development of technical support in development of new interventions or projects;

• Prepare and review project documents;

Knowledge Management:

• Prepare knowledge and communication products related to the project

• Review knowledge products (subject, design and content);

• Disseminate knowledge and communications products

Research and Data Management:

• Undertake research on relevant initiatives in areas of interest;

• Conduct data collection and analyze data collected

• Conduct desk reviews of existing research and literature on specific area.

Operations Support:

• Provide administrative and logistical support.

• Support organization of workshops, conferences and retreats in coordination with other staff;

• Support preparation of specific budgets;

• Support preparation of documentation for audit/evaluation.

• Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation.

• Development electronic template and applications to facilitate automation of operations processes.

• Provide help desk services.

Translation:

• Support the project in translation of documents and ensuring efficient, timely and quality translation; as well as the usage of proper terminology and accuracy in language and structure.

• Translation of documents related to knowledge products on democracy and election related topics in a timely manner.

• Prompt translation of communication and social media materials.

• Any other related tasks.

   

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Keen attention to detail;

• Proven record of interest and work in the development field.

• Excellent analytical and research skills

• Research experience;

• Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region;

Professionalism:

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;

• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;

• Ability to work under pressure;

• Shows pride in work and in achievement;

• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, especially governance and peacebuilding;

• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;

• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;

• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;

• Remains calm in stressful situations;

• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Takes responsibility for incorporating the perspective of youth and ensuring the equal participation of young people as in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;

• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;

• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;

• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;

• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;

• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;

• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;

• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;

• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;

• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;

• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;

• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;

• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honor commitments;

• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;

• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;

• Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;

• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve program or services;

• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;

• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;

• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;

• Thinks “outside the box”;

• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;

• Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology;

• Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;

• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;

• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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.

Education and Experience:

• Enrolled or have graduated with  a university degree in international relations, political science, sociology, languages and translation or any other relevant degrees.

• Excellent communication skills; Ability to write clearly and concisely;

• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;

• Good command

Languages:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Arabic and French language skills would be an asset.