Background

With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at its core, and in response to the General Assembly resolution 711243 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, the UN Secretary General's report (December 2017) "Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda: our promise for dignity, prosperity and peace on a healthy planet" puts forward a comprehensive proposal on further improvements to the resident coordinator system to ensure more coherent, accountable and effective support for the 2030 Agenda. This was further reinforced by General Assembly resolution 72/729 of 1 June 2018, which gave the Secretary-General the mandate to implement the repositioning.

A reinvigorated resident coordinator system is at the centre of a repositioned United Nations development system, and while the system has been instrumental in driving coherence on the ground over the past four decades, it is now insufficiently robust to respond to the needs of the 2030 Agenda.

 

The Resident Coordinator’s Office has the overall responsibility to support SDG implementation and seeks to guide the UN Country Team in order to deliver more coherent, effective and efficient support to Jamaica to meet sustainable, equitable and accountable development goals under national ownership and leadership. The RCO Multi-country office in Jamaica also serves Bermuda, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Communications & Advocacy Officer, the RCO is seeking a qualified, motivated and dynamic Intern to provide support to the Partnerships & Development Finance, as well as the Communications portfolios within the RCO Multi-country Office in Jamaica, ensuring high quality of work and timely and properly documented service delivery.

The internship will provide an opportunity for a student to enhance his/her educational experience through practical work assignments in desk research, data collection and the development of information products; digital communications, particularly related to photography, videography, and graphic design. The intern will also acquire direct exposure to the UN’s work in Jamaica.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be supervised by the RCO Programme Communications & Advocacy Officer, and will be expected to work directly with other RCO focal points, to deliver the following tasks:

·        Conduct desk research: In consultation with RCO focal point and relevant UN agencies, research and populate an existing data collection tool to capture information regarding funding opportunities globally, regionally and nationally to support SGD implementation.

·        To complete the aforementioned task, the intern will be expected to review online data sources and extract relevant information, as well as contact organisations, via email, where necessary to garner additional information not readily available online.

·        Document stories, milestones and events in multimedia formats: Support the documentation of UN Jamaica success stories, initiatives and events using contemporary video and photography treatments;

·        Support the development of press releases and feature articles on events, initiatives and success stories;

·        Support media relations including following up requests for coverage, story placements and media tracking;

·        Assist with coordination of social media to boost engagement: Support the development of posts in order to update  UN Jamaica social media pages on a regular basis with relevant material; live posting of select events;  highlighting milestones, key events and achievements; assist in running social media campaigns and promotions on the UN Jamaica social media sites.

·        Public Outreach and Advocacy: Assist in conducting outreach activities, including campaigns and events of the UN RCO.

·        Perform any other duties as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s mission, vision and values;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

·        Strong organizational, time management and communication skills;

·        Attention to detail and proven ability to work independently and with a team, against tight deadlines;

  • Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality and integrity;

·        Proven research, presentation, reporting and writing skills

·        Strong interpersonal skills;

  • Positive, constructive attitude;

·        Ability to work and act under pressure;

·        Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning;

  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude. 

Required Skills and Experience

The intern must have studies in the field of communications, social marketing, international relations, social sciences or similar subject area at the university level and must meet one of the following requirements;

                            i.          Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

                          ii.          Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);

                         iii.          Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

·        Excellent knowledge of MS Word and Excel spreadsheet in data management.

Good computer and research skills; expertise with video, photo and graphic design editing software and social media coordination would be a distinct asset

 

Language:

·       Fluent in written and oral communication skills in English; competency in other UN languages is a strong asset. 

Working arrangements

·       As of 1 January 2020, interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy (as the Administrative Agency for the RCO), if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

·       Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. The RCO accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.

·       Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.

·       The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.

·       Interns are not staff members and may not represent the RCO in any official capacity.

·       The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with the RCO, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

·       The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract.

The intern will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop. Internet access and printing facilities will be available at the Resident Coordinator Office during the internship.