Background

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

Good governance, inclusive growth, better services, environmental sustainability, and security are fundamental to development progress. We offer our expertise in development thinking and practice, and our decades of experience at country level, to support countries to meet their development aspirations and to bring the voices of the world’s peoples into deliberations.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:
• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

Coming together under the new framework of the Global Policy Network (GPN), UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and Crisis Bureau (CB) have the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  Governance Latin America and the Caribbean´s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.  BPPS and Crisis Bureau assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  BPPS and CB supports UNDP and partners to be more inclusive, innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

The Governance & Political Economy research Internship has the objective of supporting the Governance Cluster to help countries achieve sustainable development through the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, the acceleration of structural transformations for sustainable development and the creation of resilience in the face of disturbances and crises.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main tasks:
Support to the UNDP LAC Governance team in:

- Providing research assistance for reports focused on analysis of Latin America regional trends.
- Coordinate preparation & writing of monthly research briefs.
- Data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of “the data of the month” briefs.
- Assisting in authoring research reports, briefing notes, policy papers, and other materials as required
- Identify and develop possible areas for partnership and collaboration
- Other duties as required.

Competencies

Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
- Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
- Strong IT skills including MS Office;
- Excellent writing and editing skills;
- Interest in knowledge management;
- Fluent in both, Spanish and English
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
- Be computer literate in standard software applications
 

Personal Skills:
- Creative, proactive and supportive;
- Able to take initiative and work independently;
- Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
- Ability to work in team; creating a positive environment;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) such as International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences or related fields;

or

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) such as as International Relations, Political Science, Economics or related social sciences or related fields;

or

Have graduated with a university degree such as Political Science, Economics, International Relations or related social sciences or related field and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:
-Experience in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.
-Ability to conduct evidence-based policy analysis
-Research experience is an asset
-Document and internet research
-Be computer literate in statistical software
-Experience with Microsoft Office

Language Requirements:
Fluent English and Spanish

Note:
- UNDP internships are not remunerated. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
- Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
- Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
- Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
- Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
- Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.