Background

The UN General Assembly, and all its 193-member countries, in September 2015 adopted a global development vision entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 2030 Agenda was designed as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It lays out 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, to stimulate global action over the next 15 years on issues critical to humanity and the planet. India committed to these SDGs at the September 2015 UN Summit and the SDGs officially came into force on 1st January 2016. The Government of India has actively engaged in mainstreaming the SDGs in its work from early 2016. NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts on SDGs with ministries and states, indicative of “whole of government” approach. NITI Aayog has prepared an Action Agenda (3 Years) and is preparing medium term perspective plan (7 years) and long term (15 years) goals for the country through a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co-terminus with Sustainable Development Goals. NITI Aayog has also developed the Output Outcome Monitoring Framework – OOMF. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has prepared the draft National Indicator Framework (NIF) consisting of 306 indicators. Based on 62 high priority indicators, NITI Aayog has prepared an SDG India Baseline Index in the year 2018 in which the State of Punjab is in the category of ‘Performer’. NITI Aayog has also published its SDG India Index and Dashboard report 2019-20 (SDGII 2.0) in which performance of the states and UTs has been measured on 95 indicators. In the SDGII 2.0, Punjab’s score was 62, which is better than 2018’s score of 60 and is also higher than the National score of 60. However, this score still puts Punjab in the ‘Performer’ category.

 The UNDP India Country Programme Document CPD (2018-2022) signed with the Government of India (GoI) aims at transformative change and development impact at scale. In line with this, UNDP has initiated active support to many state governments in mainstreaming SDG’s within their schemes and programmes as a part of an UN system wide to SDG roll out for visioning and planning in India. UNDP has done some pioneering work on localizing SDGs in States like Uttarakhand, Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and North East. The focus of the agency is to support the States in Localisation & Integration and to provide technical capacity in the implementation framework for SDGs. In view of India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the Economic and Statistical Organisation (ESO), Department of Planning has come up with vision document focusing on sectoral growth aligned with SDGs and is in the process of developing State Indicator Framework also. State level consultations are underway to align the global goals with the planning process of the State.

To implement the ambitious targets set for itself in SDG VISION 2030, the Government of Punjab is partnering with UNDP to establish SDG Coordination Centre (SDGCC) under Punjab State Board for Economic Policy and Planning reporting to the Department of Planning. UNDP is putting together a team of experts to be a part of the PMU in SDGCC and work closely with relevant government departments, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organization and academic institutions to provide the requisite impetus to the state government’s initiative in rolling out the SDGs. The team is expected to catalyse the actions around achieving the Global Goals by 2030 by performing the role of a think tank and solutions provider to the State.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is looking for two interns to support the work of the SDGCC located at Vit-te-Yojana Bhawan, Sector-33-A, Chandigarh. The interns will work closely under the overall guidance of the Regional Head (North region) and under direct supervision of Integrated planning and implementation lead, SDGCC Punjab.

  • Assist in finalization of draft Punjab State SDG Action Plan 2030
  • Analyses of SDG-related Documents prepared by NITI Aayog, different states/agencies and UNDP.
  • Analysis of secondary data for formulation of action plan with empirical analysis such as regression and econometric models.
  • Analysis of State Budget and assist in preparing Output-Outcome Report
  • Assist in organizing consultations with different departments, documenting, proceedings and action taken reports.
  •  Assist in Documenting the Best Practices undertaken in the State (Phase-II) and other States
  • Any other related task as assigned by the Integrated Planning and Implementation Lead.

Competencies

  • Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Keen attention to detail;
  • Excellent analytical and research skills;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
  • Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

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

(a) Be enrolled in or completed a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in Economics, Development Studies, Management degree or related fields;

(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Skills: 

  • Experience in data collection and analysis in the field of social or economic development fields;
  • Strong commitment to promoting gender equality, excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Good command in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as handling web-based applications. [Intern is expected to have own laptop for work.]
  • Should possess excellent qualitative and quantitative skills.
  • An understanding of development sector and Sustainable Development Goals in the context of the country.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English.
  • Fluency in working language of the duty station will be an asset.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance and applies an equal opportunities approach.  All selections are on merit. Qualified Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE/ HOW TO APPLY :

THE APPLICATION SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

The completed “Internship Intern Form” available on the UNDP India website at Internship Intern Form (available at: Jobs/Internships | UNDP in India) should be completed along with a current and detailed Resume. 

Please group the above two documents into one (1) single PDF document and upload document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection: :

Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in their undergraduate or graduate-level degree programme;

Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements:

Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, 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. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment 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 eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship. 

Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. 

The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, 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 internship.

IMPORTANT: Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosed that he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, if the internship has started, to terminate it without notice or indemnity.  

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 be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks.