UNDP Jobs - 94333- UNDP Accelerator Lab, Solutions Mapping Intern

UNDP Accelerator Lab, Solutions Mapping Intern

Location :

Khartoum, SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

15-Nov-2020

Application Deadline :

21-Oct-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six Months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six 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 UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 embraces the complexity of development and commits the organisation to helping countries find faster, more durable solutions to achieve Agenda 2030.? In line with this, the organisation has begun incubating?a number of?strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring UNDP is ‘fit for purpose’ to deliver a new generation of solutions in line with the challenges the world faces.??

One such key strategic initiative is the Accelerator Lab Network.? The initiative is a recognition that increasingly interrelated development challenges require going beyond business as usual and single point, linear and silver bullet responses in development.? Instead, they call for interdisciplinary approaches and non-linear solutions that crowd in the collective efforts of a wide variety of partners and tap into local insights and contextual, sticky knowledge of citizens.?? The initiative is also a recognition and an investment in the emerging momentum among a growing number of UNDP Country Offices for marrying disruptive, cutting edge methodologies with contextual, country-based insights and expertise to accelerate learning, progress and impact toward the SDGs.?

With this in mind, the?UNDP intends to build the largest and fastest learning global network of Accelerator Labs (initially setting up 60 labs in 82 countries) embedded within UNDP’s global architecture and country platforms that embody the new organisational offering to transform the collective approach to development.?

The network will surface and reinforce locally sourced solutions at scale while mobilising a wide and dynamic partnership of actors contributing knowledge, resources and experience.? The initiative is meant to transform our collective approach by introducing new protocols, backed by evidence and practice, which accelerate the testing and dissemination of solutions within and across countries. This will enable the global community to collectively learn from local knowledge and ingenuity at a speed and at a scale that our societies and planet require. This will be achieved by:??

•Building on grassroots and local solutions, finding things that work and expanding on them;?

•Rapid testing and iteration to implement what works and go beyond the obvious solutions;?

•Combining the best understanding, ideas and expertise to generate collective knowledge;?

•Accelerating progress by bringing expertise, creativity and collective intelligence to bear.?

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Solutions Mapping at the Accelerator Lab, the UNDP Accelerator Lab Solutions Mapping Intern will support and assist in three main areas of Communication, Administration and Knowledge Management outlined as follows:

Support and assist effective communication focusing on achievement of the following results;

Engage with the UNDP Communications Unit in timely publication of the bi-weekly digital newsletter Solutions Snapshot internally to the CO and the UNDP Sudan Accelerator lab microsite.
Timely and duly content preparation and publication of solutions mapping information on Twitter and Instagram coinciding with Solutions Snapshot and posted blogs
Maintaining proper follow-up and monitoring of the Solutions-Holders Community of Practice via Facebook Workplace with bi-monthly ecosystem-mapping iteration through questionnaires and documentation via Graph Commons

2.Assist in monitoring procurement activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of procurement activities under solutions mapping with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
Contractor/Vendor appraisal, deliverables, payment conditions and scheduling

3. Support facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing with the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Engage and support the CO Solutions Mapping Working Group
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices from the Accelerator Lab Solutions Mappers’ Network and MS Teams Accelerator lab Network
Sound contributions to Accelerator Lab Knowledge Management system and Accelerator Lab Network.

4. UNDP Intern should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of Solutions Mapping and User-led Innovation by participating in the MOOC led by the Honeybee Network and Global Accelerator lab team. Reading relevant UNDP Open data and external publications and take actively engage in the Accelerator lab Network Microsoft Team;

Provide end of assignment self-reports on actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute to blogs/social media write-ups on field experiences;

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the Head of Solutions Mapping

Results/expected outputs:

As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including;

impact on the overall efficiency of the solutions mapping function and success in introduction and implementation relating to the CO Solutions Mapping Strategy.
Strategic approach to solutions mapping, accurate, thoroughly researched and documented information, timely and appropriate communication of information on solutions mapped
Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

Competencies

Competencies and values:

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding and technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP programming. Discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with different stakeholders; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
Planning and organising: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Eligibility Criteria:
Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, Experience, Areas Of Expertise:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. International Development, Social Science, Business Administration and Management or area related to Anthropology, Mass Media and Communication;
Excellent drafting, formulation and reporting skills;

Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a remotely in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Teams, Excel, Word, etc.) Zoom video conferencing and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
Familiarity with GraphCommons is an asset;
Have affinity with or interest in the nexus of innovation and communication for development

Language skills:

Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required;

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS:

• UNDP will provide a stipend in the amount of USD 202.35 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. 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.