CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) was established to promote, coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation globally and within the United Nations system. UNOSSC, hosted by UNDP since 1974, was established by the UN General Assembly with a mandate to advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis. UNOSSC receives policy directives and guidance from the General Assembly and through its subsidiary body, the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation. UNOSSC is headed by the Director who reports to the UNDP Administrator and has also been appointed Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation.

UNOSSC works to be a robust knowledge hub providing advisory and consulting services to Member States, UN entities, IGOs, NGOs and other stakeholders on South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC). It advocates for Southern perspectives within the multilateral system and enables developing countries to effectively face their development challenges and harness opportunities to address them, while monitoring progress on the implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, New Directions Strategy and the Nairobi Outcome.

In order to respond to the requests of Member States and the United Nations system, UNOSSC focuses its work on three pillars: (1) advocacy, (2) knowledge building, and (3) innovative programming. Furthermore, its work is guided by the Strategic Framework of the UNOSSC (2018-2021).

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND: 

UNOSSC has internship opportunities in its Regional Office for Asia-Pacific in Bangkok (2 interns required). The UNOSSC Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, located within United Nations Development Programme Bangkok Regional Hub (UNDP BRH), supports South-South cooperation in this dynamic, fast-growing and diversified region. A microcosm of the global UNOSSC Office, the Asia-Pacific Office facilitates knowledge exchanges, forging strategic partnerships through South-South and triangular cooperation, mapping Southern development solutions, and undertaking outreach, advocacy and strategic communication on issues of critical importance to the South that call for South-South dialogue and solutions.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Coordinator or staff member delegated by Regional Coordinator, the intern will assist UNOSSC Regional Office for Asia-Pacific with the tasks outlined below:

Other competencies and attitude:

• Demonstrate commitment to the UN’s core values;
• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
• Communicate effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Respond positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or;
• Currently enrolled in a final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) or;
• Graduated with a university degree - and if selected, must start the internship within one year after graduation.

Field of study: Public Administration, Public Policies, International Development, International Relations, Master of Laws or any other relevant fields.

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Computer literate in standard software applications and familiarity with Internet-based research.

Language skills:

• Excellent writing and drafting skills in English as well as good communication skills required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP internships are not remunerated. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are 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 must provide proof of enrolment in 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;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.

NOTE: If selected for the position, interns are requested to provide a letter from university confirming current enrollment and graduation date, a copy of school transcript, a letter of endorsement from a professor, a medical certificate of good health, a copy of medical insurance coverage during internship assignment in Thailand, and a copy of passport.