Background

The 2030 Agenda requires bold changes to the UN development system (UNDS) for the emergence of a new generation of country teams, centred on a strategic UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and led by an impartial, independent and empowered resident coordinator.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on human lives, disrupting health systems, economies, livelihoods and social protection mechanisms in many countries. While the impact of COVID-19 has been significant across the globe, it has been further exacerbated in the South African context by prevailing systemic and structural challenges which render the country and its people particularly vulnerable to exogenous shocks.
Within this context and recognizing the current and future impact of COVID-19 on the South African people and economy, immediate and urgent actions must be taken to save lives, protect livelihoods and save businesses, while supporting early actions to ensure a green, sustainable and resilient recovery. This will ensure that pre-COVID-19 vulnerabilities of poverty and multidimensional inequalities are addressed, in order to help place the country back on track to achieving the ambitions of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UNCT in South Africa, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, launched an Emergency Appeal in April 2020 to support the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the appeal the UNCT was able to mobilise both financial and non-financial support from the donor community, align its programme to activities carried out by other partners such as civil society and private sector. Beyond the emergency response the UNCT is in the process of developing Joint Work Plans for the period 2021 and 2022. These JWPs will entail the UN’s early recovery support programme in South Africa working with partners, thus making the JWPs the primary programming instrument of the UN in response to the effects of Covid-19.
Within this context, the Intern assignment will support the Resident Coordinator’s Office in its coordination responsibility.
The appointed Intern will work with other staff members within the RCO under the operational guidance of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Officer to deliver on the UN Country Teams Covid-19 response.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work with the RCO team to ensure that the Joint Work Plans developed by the Results Groups are aligned to the Covid-19 knowledge products released by the UN (Socio-Economic Response Plan, Needs Assessment, Emergency Appeal)
  • Support coordination of various national stakeholders to ensure they meaningfully participate in the work of the Results Groups and that UN interventions align to ongoing national Covid-19 activities.
  • On-going mapping of partner interventions to ensure complementarity between UN and partner activities
  • Support RCO in convening of quarterly Results Group meetings and ensure participation of partners
  • Support quality assurance of all performance information received from UN agencies
  • Support preparation of Results Group quarterly reports outlining implementation of activities
  • Support uploading of performance information on the UNINFO system
  • Collect data to inform review and amendment of UN interventions to support Covid-19 early recovery programmes 
  • Work with UN Communications Group and Humanitarian Coordination Specialist to develop relevant and informative communications products outlining the work of the UN
  • Support in the development of monthly and quarterly progress reports to UNCT
  • Work with the Humanitarian Coordination Specialist to identify needs, gaps and responses, and ensuring that the UN system efforts are integrated, holistic and apply cross-sectoral lens
  • Ensure that all identified needs are adequately reflected in the work of the Results Groups
  • Work with Results Groups to support the mainstreaming of UN programming principles into the Joint Work Plans
  • Support research work of the Theme Groups
  • Support secretariat functions in support of all structures of the UNSDCF Governance Model

Carry out any other duties as may be requested by the Resident Coordinator

Competencies

  • Professionalism;
  • Integrity;
  • Teamwork and respect for diversity;
  • Commitment to continuous learning;
  • Communication;
  • Flexibility;
  • Genuine commitment towards the principles and values of the UN;
  • Ability to work well under pressure and in response to rapidly changing needs;
  • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent English drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
  • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
  • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
  • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
  • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
  • Sound security awareness;
  • Have affinity with or interest in development related work and the UN System.

Required Skills and Experience

Interns are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants to internships must at the time of application meet one of the following academic requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme in (Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. Development, Economics, Public Health, Management, Social Policy, International Relations, Political Affairs);

(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.

Communication: Ability to summarize a large amount of information and translate it into a compelling product for a public audience.

Software skills: Strong IT skills including full competency in MS Office/365. 

Language skills: Fluency in English is required.

Intern requirements:

  • UNDP interns receive payment of a monthly stipend based on the rate established by the duty station
  • UNDP interns accrue leave at a rate of 1.5 days per month;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • 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 a 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;
  • Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies (if still enrolled);
  • Experience in multi-stakeholder co-ordination and facilitation is highly desirable;
  • Effective communication, networking and organizational skills and ability to work well in a team;