Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy seeks to hire one (1) intern at the Partnerships Group/Japan Unit. Japan Unit is committed to strengthening partnerships with Japan (the public and private sectors and civil society organizations in Japan) by playing a coordination and facilitation role within UNDP and between UNDP and Japan. Japan Unit, with close collaboration with the UNDP Representative Office in Tokyo, undertakes a wide range of activities including support for resource mobilization and management of Japan’s financial contributions to UNDP’s programmes/projects.

Japan Unit also strengthens multi-bi cooperation with Japanese development partners (mainly the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Japan Unit staff, the intern will assist in updating an on-line database of Japan-funded projects at UNDP. The intern’s main output would be updating a database on the Unit’s Intranet site (uploading, archiving and organizing documents) on Japanese non-core contributions to UNDP. The intern will also perform research/analysis on Japan’s ODA strategy and trend, support meetings logistics and other activities to be undertaken by the Unit as well. The intern will support other BERA partnership group activities, if required.

 

1. Operational and administrative support

• Update the status of projects funded through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund, and liaise with relevant UNDP Units and Country Offices to collect necessary documents including progress, final and financial reports.

• Assist in submission of required documents and information to Government of Japan such as list of refunds and confirmation of receipts

• Conduct research on Japan’s ODA strategy and trend in the regions and recipient countries as well as Japanese private sector engagement in development.

• Draft or review documents such as procedural letters and funding agreements under supervision of staff in Japan Unit

• Perform other tasks such as analytical works and support of meetings/conferences as needed. 

 

2. Data compilation and communication

• Upload, tag, organize and review the information and documents on Japan’s contributions to UNDP (agreements and reports).

• Update the part related with the Government of Japan on the UNDP intranet.

• Create, check and update the database on the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund.

• Assist in visualizing data and preparing presentation materials of Japan Unit for internal and external purposes

 

The intern is expected to learn about Japan’s ODA funding schemes to the various partnerships between UNDP and Japan. 

Competencies

  • Interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications and familiarity with Internet-based research;
  • Energetic self-starter with multi-tasking abilities and discipline with deadlines;
  • Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
  • Strong computer skills (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Power BI);
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Fluency in English and Japanese necessary (both languages are must);
  • Detail oriented. 

Required Skills and Experience

1. 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.  

2. Experience:

While no professional experience is necessary, excellent computer capabilities are required.  

3. Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Japanese (both written and oral). Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage

Other:

Availability: Available full-time for a period of 6 months. 

Financial Arrangements:  UNDP’s rules and regulations on stipends for interns will be applied.

Working Arrangements:  Intern will be fully teleworking until further internal notice in UNDP.

Further Career Opportunities: The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern's studies. However, several 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.

• Candidate is preferred to have been enrolled in a Master’s level program in international development and international studies.  

• Relevant working/intern experience in Japanese public or private organizations including private sector.