Background

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

 

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) recognizes the importance of contextual analysis, crisis prevention and recovery, and the management of multidimensional risks as fundamental for development.  The Crisis Bureau is responsible for UNDP's corporate crisis-related strategies, vision and priorities for crisis prevention, response, and recovery.  The Bureau supports policy and programme development in keys areas including Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Rule of Law and Human Rights, Migration and Displacement, Livelihoods and Economic Recovery, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery.

One of the areas of responsibility of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau is to ensure that UNDP is well positioned to anticipate and to respond in the timeliest and most effective manner to crisis, primarily regarding sudden onset crises and complex protracted crises, triggered by natural disasters or armed conflicts alike.  The Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement Team (CFPET) provides crisis risk and early warning support to HQ and to Country Offices (COs) to address their needs in contextual risk analysis, programme adaptation and early action. The Team is seeking an intern who would support this workstream, in the areas of research and communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Early Warning Programme Specialist, the intern is expected to:

  1. Produce research, analysis and analytics support on topics related to crisis, risk and early warning;
  2. Draft knowledge management and guidance products, for both internal and external audiences;
  3. Create strategic communications products in support of online and offline (audiovisual) presentations;
  4. Perform any other task, as assigned by the supervisor. 

Competencies

Core 

  • Ethics & Values: Demonstrating/ Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity. Is familiar with and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants, ethics and UN/UNDP values;
  • Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring: Self-development, initiative-taking. Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action;
  • Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.  Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity;
  • Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively. Uses tact and sensitivity when delivering sensitive information or resolving delicate issues;
  • Self-management & Emotional Intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control. Fosters a positive outlook and maintains focus during period of stress and heavy workload, inspiring and guiding others towards goal achievement;
  • Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Actively seeks learning opportunities, adopting best practices created by others;

Appropriate and Transparent Decision-making: Informed and transparent decision making. Makes decisions within his/her own span of control, recognizes issues requiring more advanced judgment and refers them to the appropriate level.

Functional & Technical

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task;
  • Solution-oriented mindset and a drive to achieve results in a timely manner;
  • Strong writing and communication skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments;
  • Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concept;
  • Appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Candidates must be enrolled in a degree programme in Social Sciences, International Relations, Economic Development, Journalism, Political Science, Communications, Graphic Design or another related field.

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

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or
  • equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent);

Language: Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.

Work Experience & Desired Skillset: 

  • Experience in research and communications;
  • Familiarity with graphic design and data visualization software applications, including – but not limited to – Microsoft Office, Tableau, SharePoint, …
  • Must be able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities;
  • Self-starter; organized; able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and work to meet deadlines.

 

Working Arrangement

The intern will be under the direct supervision of the Early Warning Programme Specialist.  The intern will work closely with team members and relevant UNDP Country Offices.

This is a full-time internship (five days a week) fully home-based, unpaid internship.  The duration of the internship is three months, with the possibility of extension. The intern will be required to use their equipment.

These terms of reference may be modified until the beginning of the internship period. Any changes will be immediately communicated to the selected candidate.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Conditions of internship

  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. 
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institutions;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • 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.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, and CV through the online portal.

 

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

  • letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
  • letter of recommendation from a professor
  • copy of his/her most recent school transcript
  • copy of passport
  • a copy of US Visa if the intern is not a US Citizen
  • copy of the passport
  • completed UNDP internship application form
  • signed UNDP Internship Agreement
  • Medical Certificate of Good Health
  • Proof of medical insurance

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.