Background
UNDP’s HIV, Health, and Development (HHD) global programme includes pillars emphasizing the reduction of inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health as well as the promotion of effective and inclusive governance for health. Globally and within Africa, this work includes an emphasis on populations that are marginalized and excluded because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics (LGBTI populations).
In 2020, UNDP HHD established the #WeBelongAfrica (WBA) programme which integrates two projects, namely the Inclusive Governance Initiative (IGI) and the Southern Africa Young Key Population (YKP) Initiative. The programme is designed to support state entities in sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable and responsive to, and inclusive of, LGBTI people and young key populations, which in turn will contribute to better laws, more responsive public sector services, and social norms that affirm these populations’ perspectives, needs and rights. WBA, therefore, intends to contribute to the strengthened commitment and capacity of African decision makers to be responsive and accountable to, and inclusive of, sexual and gender minorities and young key populations; to understand and support their rights and perspectives; and to promote equitable sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV outcomes.
WBA aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Strengthened capacity of LGBTI and YKP activists and allies from other SDG-focused social movements (gender equality, poverty alleviation, health for all, etc.) to sensitize and influence relevant decision-makers and to hold authorities to account.
- Increased inclusion, participation, representation, and influence of diverse African LGBTI populations and young key populations, and their allies, in relevant laws, policy, strategies, and decision-making.
- Relevant national-level plans, strategies and guidelines related to HIV and SRHR that increasingly reflect countries’ international human rights and public health commitments.
- Increased use of African ideas, evidence and innovations that support LGBTI and YKP inclusive governance and related work.
- Sustained and increased international donor funding for LGBTI and key population regional work in Africa.
Over the last 2 years, the programme has implemented several interventions that promote the inclusion of LGBTI issues in the SDGs; created awareness on the importance for “inclusion”; including publishing knowledge products aimed at guiding and influencing SDG-related policy reform processes. An online LGBTI community hub has also been established for increasing visibility of LGBTI issues and access to relevant information. A programme officer (intern) is therefore required to work with the Policy Specialists in the implementation of Inclusive Governance activities; promote the work of WBA to external and internal stakeholders, including governments, the donor community, civil society, media, academia, and the UN system; and lastly mobilize attention to LGBTI rights in the context of the SDGs, including increasing visibility of WBA.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working closely with the Policy Specialists, the intern will contribute towards the following: -
- Assist the Policy specialists with day-to-day implementation of the IGI regional programme activities including support to partners, organization of events and meetings and preparation of reports.
- Assist in research and monitoring of LGBTI inclusion and rights issues in IGI’s priority and additional focus countries in Africa.
- Assist with updates of tools, collection and reporting of relevant data and information for measuring success of the programme.
- Assist in identifying key stakeholders for potential engagement with IGI including, parliamentarians, senior civil servants, key development NGOs in the region focused on the SDGs, religious leaders and other decision-makers and influencer.
- Draft communication articles on events and activities implemented by IGI for dissemination on UNDP websites and social media platforms.
- Facilitate knowledge building, usage and dissemination of products generated and published by the HHD regional team, its partners and other relevant institutions in the continent including supporting the translation and review of some knowledge products.
- Provide support to any other activities related to WBA.
Competencies
- Understanding of LGBTI issues in developing countries and sensitivity to working with front- line activists.
- Extensive experience in using multiple social media platforms and building audience interaction.
- Understanding of strategic communication and how it can contribute to the achievement of specific development goals.
- Ability to engage with a wide range of partners and forge productive working relationships.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task.
- Responsible, responsive, enthusiastic.
- Strong attention to detail; and
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Interns are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants to UNDP internships must at the time of application meet one of the following academic requirements:
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
- 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.
Field of study: International relations, law, social sciences, development studies, political science or equivalent. (Preferred but not required)
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 and additional proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is a strong asset.