Background

UNDP plays an important and unique role in supporting high risk countries to achieve their development goals by reducing loss to life and assets, and by strengthening long term resilience. UNDP works with governments at international, national and local levels to ensure that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a nationally-led and owned agenda, as well as integrated into national development planning. UNDP’s work focuses on resilience building and ensuring development remains risk-informed and sustainable. To do this we assist governments in systematically and comprehensively delivering on risk-informed development through the communication, reduction and management of risk. More information on UNDP’s DRR portfolio can be accessed here.

The Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) project is a public-private partnership between UNDP and Deutsche Post DHL to prepare airports to better respond to disaster relief surge, build up local capacity by training local people, and enable local disaster relief agencies to better plan and coordinate relief efforts. The project prepares airports and airport officials during disaster-free times by: (i) reviewing airport capabilities and capacities, (ii) understanding coordination requirements; (iii) training local officials (train-the-trainer concept) and (iv) supporting the formulation of a contingency plan and a coordination structure.

The GARD project builds upon the joint expertise and inputs of two organizations. DP-DHL’s expertise in logistics management and past experience in international relief, combined with UNDP’s competencies in DRR and pre-existing partnerships with National Governments has ensured that the investment in training is received well and it is sustained in the country through linkages with on-going programmes

Since the development of the GARD in 2009 the project has been implemented in 50 airports in 26 countries and trained more than 1,200 airport staff. 

This position is specifically intended to support UNDP’s work with the implementation of the GARD project activities and the portfolio review undertaken by UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience Team (DRT). The intern will support the team with the development of communications materials regarding the GARD project results, preparation of implementation of GARD activities at country level, support to organizing of global events such as the 2020 Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week in Geneva, and other project related activities as and when required. In addition, the intern will support the update and analysis of UNDP’s DRT portfolio management tools for monitoring UNDP DRR projects and programming financial trends.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Support the development of the communications and knowledge products featuring the GARD project results (e.g. flyers, brochures, blog stories, Twitter micro-stories);

  2. Support the organization of partnership meetings, teleconferences and/ or field missions related to the GARD project, and take notes during these meetings;

  3. Support the organization of GARD-related events and UNDP events for the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) in February 2020 in Geneva;

  4. Update and manage the e-sharing database and document filing system for the GARD Network;

  5. Support the work related to the Focus Task Force (FTF) for Airport Efficiency co-chaired by OCHA and ICAO and the GARD Network, a virtual group of practitioners in the area of airport preparedness interested in GARD;

  6. Support the update and analysis of UNDP’s DRT portfolio management tools for monitoring UNDP DRR projects and programming financial trends;

  7. Support any other tasks related to communications, knowledge management and analysis for the DRT portfolio on preparedness.

Competencies

  • Ability to summarize a large amount of information for a public audience;

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;

  • Effective communication skills with staff at all levels and external partners;

  • Initiative taking;

  • Strong organization skills;

  • Great attention to detail and proven experience in proof reading;

  • Ability to work well in a team;

  • Client orientation;

  • Demonstration of cultural sensitivity and appreciation for different cultures and practices;

  • Sound computer skills and experience using web-based applications, social media and content management systems;

  • Knowledge using the Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Bridge, Acrobat, Illustrator, Flash, Avid, Final Cut Pro and other graphic design software is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Enrolled in a Master’s programme or equivalent in the area of international development, humanitarian affairs, international relations, political science, disaster risk management, climate change studies, communications and media.

Language:   

Proficiency in English in both writing and speaking.

Institutional arrangements:

The intern will be part of UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience Team based in Geneva. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the GARD Programme Manager and under the overall guidance of the UNDP Partnerships Advisor.

Conditions of the internship:

  • Interns are not considered staff members of UNDP and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;

  • Interns are not entitled to financial support (salary or any other compensation) from UNDP;

  • Interns are not covered by UNDP for medical, health or life insurance and have to have their own international medical and life insurance;

  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. Candidates are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed, to any post for a period of three months following the end of the internship;

  • The normal duration of an internship is from six weeks to 6 months (which is the maximum duration);

  • The intern needs to be enrolled as a graduate or final year Bachelor’s student throughout the duration of the internship or be within one year of graduation from a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. programme;

  • The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract and due recognition of work will be issued in writing;

  • For more information about the application process and UNDP's internship terms and conditions, visit: www.undp.org/internships

Application process:

Please submit your application by the deadline enclosing the following documents:

  1. Curriculum vitae;

  2. Letter of motivation.

Selected candidates must submit the following documents:

  1. Letter confirming University enrolment;

  2. Letter of endorsement from the University, or proof of (Master’s programme) graduation if within less than one year;

  3. Scanned visa document/scanned passport document if no visa is required;

  4. Documentation of health insurance coverage for duration of internship;

  5. Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician.