UNDP Jobs - 92352- Project Support Intern

Project Support Intern

Location :

Sukhumi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Jun-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Possible extension of up to nine months

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

The main objective of the Joint EU-UNDP Rural Development Programme – Phase II (ENPARD III – Abkhazia component) aims to enhance the resilience of rural communities in Abkhazia through a bottom-up, integrated, gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable approach to agriculture and rural development.

The proposed initiative will be complementary and build on the results obtained under the previous phase of intervention (ENPARD II Abkhazia Component), which was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The overall objective of the proposed project is to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, creating employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded in Abkhazia. The project aims to bring changes through 3 specific objectives:

To strengthen Abkhazia-wide coordination platform on agriculture and rural development;
To enhance competitiveness of agriculture and improve rural economic diversification;
To improve environment and sustainable management of natural resources.

This project is implemented within the framework of the ENPARD. It’s is a European Union Programme, which aims to promote inclusive growth and stability in the neighbourhood (including e.g. Moldova, Armenia). It recognizes the potential importance of agriculture in terms of food security, sustainable production and rural employment. Within the ENPARD framework, this project will take stock of best practices and lessons learned across Europe over the past decade, in particular the LEADER concept adopted by EU countries. For the Abkhazia component, ENPARD III is aiming to support small-scale agricultural development and the diversification of the rural economy, with a view to improving living conditions and access to basic services in rural areas.

The “Center for Agriculture and Rural Development” (CARD) was established in 2017 to coordinate rural development initiatives across all 7 districts of Abkhazia and provide technical, consultative and referral support and coordination services to beneficiaries and rural communities. It is currently staffed by five full-time experts in strategic planning, agronomy, agro business, livestock, and legal advisory.

As part of the 2020 work plan the Centre is seeking to recruit up to five interns who will be engaged in and support the work of the Centre, including but not limited to: support the agronomy and plant-protection work in the CARD demo plots; support the filming of learning videos on agronomy; support the soil analysis and plantation services offered by the Centre; support outreach to the communities where the CARD is active.

The interns will be expected to offer their support on a rotational basis and in line with their own academic requirements and area of specialization.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will assist the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development team in continued implementation of ongoing initiatives and interventions. The intern will work under the overall supervision of the ENPARD project manager, while the day-to-day work will be coordinated by the CARD Agronomist and Strategic Planning Specialist.

Specifically, the intern will:

Participate in the activities of the CARD at the established experimental sites, as well as other sites and areas where CARD is active; under the supervision of the CARD agronomist carry out the work associated with planting (i.e. plowing of inter-rows, weeding), monitoring, (i.e. visual diagnostics of plantings, detection of harmful pests and diseases, and application of simple measures for plant protection), pruning of trees, application of organic and mineral fertilizers;
Participate in and support the activities of the center's experts for the operation and use of an agricultural multi-copter or the soil analysis equipment;
Provide technical support in organizing trainings, events, conferences and any other project related activities/initiatives;
Provide background research on relevant issues falling under the project’s thematic areas, as required;
Draft, edit, and format news, press release, blogs, briefings;
Provide support in monitoring and evaluation process and reporting;
Flag relevant new research and publications;
Other tasks as required by the project team.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrate commitment to UNDP mission, vision and values;
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail;
Ability to write clearly and concisely;
Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines;
An interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
Demonstrated interest in the field of development;
Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft Office applications);
Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher). Discipline: agronomy, agro-engineering, veterinary, plant protection, food technology, economics;
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Discipline: agronomy, agro-engineering, veterinary, plant protection, food technology, economics;
Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Language Requirements:

A sound command of written and spoken proficiency in Russian;
Knowledge of Abkhaz would be considered an asset.

Conditions:

Interns will be given a stipend per month in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP Stipend.

Selected candidates for internships must show proof of valid medical coverage for the duty station in which they will intern. Applicants that are neither nationals nor 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.

Successful candidates will be requested to submit the following documents:

Letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
Letter of recommendation from a professor;
Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of medical coverage.

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment within the UN System, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.