Background

The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Brazil, offers a selected group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to the opportunity to work in a successful multi-cultural international organization.

Students are welcome to apply, and depending on qualifications, shall be selected for internships that relate either to the organization's strategic activities or to administrative or technical functions. They are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complement other international studies, international development and inclusive growth.

This internship will take place at the UNDP World Centre for Sustainable Development (RIO+ Centre) premises in the Palácio do Itamaraty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. The costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc.

All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:
 

  • The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
  • the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which: requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

Interns are not staff members. Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts. Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP and are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns.

Unsatisfactory performance or failure to conform to the standards of conduct set out above may lead to termination of the internship, for cause, at the initiative of UNDP. A two-week notice shall be given in such cases.

Any serious breach of the duties and obligations which, in the view of the Administrator, would justify separation before the end of the notice period.
The intern will reimburse UNDP for financial loss or for damage to UNDP-owned equipment or property caused by him/her, if such loss or damage: occurred outside the performance of services with UNDP; or arose or resulted from gross negligence or willful misconduct or violation or reckless disregard of applicable rules and policies by the interns.

UNDP makes every effort to maintain the highest standards with regards to the supervision, orientation and training of interns, in order to make their time at UNDP a valuable experience. Offices are responsible for providing appropriate supervision and guidance. A supervisor must be identified for the period of the internship.

The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with the UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.

Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.

RIO+ Centre Background

The World Centre for Sustainable Development (Rio+ Centre) is one of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Centres. It was was established in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro as a concrete legacy of the Rio+ 20 Conference of 2012.

The RIO+ Centre is the result of a collaboration between UNDP and the Government of Brazil with the objective of keeping the commitment to sustainable development alive in both action and ideas. Working with people, companies, governments and cities from all over the world allows the RIO+ Centre to function as a global hub committed to greater social, environmental and economic justice. 

The Rio+20 Conference launched the discussions around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the overarching pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which came into effect on the 1st of January 2016 after being agreed upon by all 195 Member States of the United Nations during the 70th Session of the General Assembly on 25 September 2015. The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for the people, planet and prosperity to be implemented by all UN Member States as a pathway to sustainable development, improving the lives of the current generations without hampering the right for development of the future generations.

The Rio-born Sustainable Development Goals represent the most comprehensive – and boldest – global effort to improve the well-being and resilience of people in the history of humankind. The 17 SDGs – or Global Goals - are the most tangible and concrete component of the 2030 Agenda: a detailed roadmap to guide action on the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic – social - environmental) by all countries until the 2030 deadline. To achieve its mission, the RIO+ Centre works to inspire and inform the debate and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to create inclusive spaces for active citizen participation and mobilization for the future of humanity and the planet.

Objectives

The RIO+ Centre´s internship programme aims to:

Provide an opportunity to students and recent graduates to acquire professional and practical experience with sustainable development policy and practice based in the UNDP global hub in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Contribute to building a critical mass of young professionals with advanced skills and relevant practical experience working to promote the implementation of equitable and sustainable development at local, national and international level.

Duties and Responsibilities

The RIO+ Centre is launching a call for internship as an effort to invest in the next generation of leaders committed to sustainable development. This internship provides outstanding graduate-level students a unique opportunity to advance their career development as future champions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

Internship period and length:  6 months (extendable) – From July to December 2018. Part or full-time availability should be indicated by the candidate.

Location: Internships take place at RIO+ Centre premises, in the Palácio do Itamaraty, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Under the guidance of the RIO+ Centre Coordinator, and direct supervision of the local staff, the intern will be responsible for the following activities:

Assist with the drafting and implementation of a Communication Strategy;

Identify new opportunities to continually improve online presence across digital platforms to deepen citizen engagement;

  • Assist the Team in the maintenance and update of the RIO+ Centre’s website in English and Portuguese;
  • Support in writing, translating, editing and organizing communications materials;
  • Write stories, reports, press releases and minutes of meetings in English and Portuguese;
  • Plan and produce posts for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in English and Portuguese;
  • Support the development of audio-visual materials in English and Portuguese;
  • Prepare news clipping on stories of the interest of RIO+ Centre and its partners in English and Portuguese;
  • Support the Team in the preparation, organization and coverage of events;
  • Support the Team with photos of events and UNDP executives;
  • Assist in the management and update of mailing lists used by the Unit;
  • Assist in handling telephone calls, requests from the press, the general public and partners, as well as internal clients;
  • Assist in the preparation of analytical reports and presentations containing statistics and performance of website(s) and social media accounts managed by the RIO+ Centre;
  • Translate documents, presentations, news articles and press releases from Portuguese into English (and vice-versa);
  • Perform other related tasks as requested.

The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:

  • Assist with the drafting and implementation of a Communication Strategy;
  • Support in the preparation and writing of various communication materials and their distribution through multiple channels; 
  • Assist with the maintenance of the website;
  • While some routine functions may be components of internship assignments, they are intended to be part of the learning and training experience;
  • Day-to-day support of the work of the RIO+ Centre.

Competencies

  • Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with full respect for diversity. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensibility and adaptability. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with other UN Programmes, Funds and Agencies.
  • Professionalism: Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and activity problems.
  • Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Commitment to continuous learning: Initiative and willingness to keep abreast of new trends in international development.
  • Technological Awareness: Proficiency in various MS Office applications and other IT applications.
  • Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

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 a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

b)      Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme;

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.

Experience:

  • Proficiency in MS Office and further general computer skills are required.
  • Ability to handle and manage website-masks and social media channels is an asset;
  • Demonstrate a keen interest in the field of sustainable development.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Portuguese is required and knowledge of Spanish is an asset.