Historique

UNDP Barbados and the OECS is one of the leading development partners currently serving Barbados and the islands of the OECS. Our mandate requires us to act in partnership with the governments and people of the sub-region to enhance people-centered development and mitigate risk in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

In meeting its commitment to the people of the sub-region, UNDP recognises that the human resource capacity, particularly of young professionals needs to be harnessed and nurtured for the overall benefit of the people of the sub-region. In that regard, UNDP’s Internship Programme serves two main purposes:

1. Sensitise young people to the work and mandate of UNDP
2. Provide meaningful professional opportunities to young professionals to assist them in honing skills and applying their knowledge in a development context. 

Caribbean region countries share similar economic and sustainable development challenges, including a small population, remoteness, susceptibility to natural hazards, and most importantly, vulnerability to climate change. Given the current condition of the marine environment, most coastal areas have few defenses against the raging surfs of hurricanes and tropical storms, and the likely consequences would be significant coastal damage including beach erosion and infrastructure damage. Negative impacts associated to climate change on land, water resources and biodiversity have also been predicted, and ultimately, tourism and agriculture will be negatively impacted by these changes. Meanwhile, Caribbean countries emit such relatively small amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which mean that they will suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change.

Since the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, UNDP has deployed SURGE capacity in the response and early recovery to the affected islands. As the humanitarian phase is concluding and early recovery is transitioning to recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, UNDP presence in and support to Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands and Dominica is adjusting to this new phase, with the expectation that there will be dedicated project teams in each country implementing the Recovery Programme. The current scope of the Recovery Programme is about US$7 million, with another $11 million in the pipeline at various stages of development. These include activities relating to emergency employment, early warning systems, response and mitigation planning, housing reconstruction, and restoration of the agricultural sector, with emphasis on a human rights-based approach, gender equality and support to the most vulnerable.

UNDP wishes to engage an intern with a disaster or natural resource management background, who can effectively provide technical support to the Recovery Programme in Dominica

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibilities of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.Applicants for this internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage and provide a medical certificate of good health.
 

UNDP does not pay for internships. The costs associated with the latter 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.

Further Career Opportunities:

The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. 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.  

Devoirs et responsabilités

Objective: To provide experience in policy and technical support and project monitoring through UNDP’s disaster risk resilience and climate change adaptation portfolio in Dominica. In particular, insight will be provided into the support being provided by UNDP through a direct interface with the projects in the country.

• Conduct research and data compilation of the political, environmental, social and economic situation in Dominica based on national, UNDP and other partner reports and analyses, and existing national and regional DRR policy/legal frameworks, including Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (or other official damage assessments) and national recovery strategies where available, to inform UNDP advisory and technical services
• Map ongoing recovery and wider related programming in-country (including non-UNDP) to assist articulation of synergies, gaps and developing of future pipeline projects
• Identify and initiate, with guidance, possible areas of joint programming, strategic collaboration and shared knowledge management with wider UNDP projects and other UN agencies
• Identify and initiate, with guidance, potential innovative approaches and South-South cooperation which can be applied in programming
• Support the conceptualisation, development and implementation of projects, including consultation with in-country teams and partners 
• Support development of annual work plans and procurement plans
• Contribute to technical review of project outputs and reports
• Provide support to the coordination of logistics and monitoring for recovery activities
• Support project teams with preparation of inputs to periodic narrative and financial reports, including donor and UNDP corporate reporting
• Develop regular and innovative communications of project-related activities and results through various media and publication formats
• Assist in documenting UNDP best practices and lessons learned in addressing issues of risk reduction, recovery, CC adaptation and NRM
• Prepare briefs for, inter alia, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, government officials, and development partners on matters related to the programme countries within the region, as needed
• Support coordination of country missions and consultants
• Perform any other related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned

Compétences

Eligibility:

To qualify for the UNDP Barbados and the OECS Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

1. Applicants must be enrolled in a Climate Change, Environmental Science or Natural Resource Management or similar degree programme and should fit one of the following streams:
   1. Post graduate student requiring practical experience in a development area;
   2. Final year undergraduate student seeking practical experience prior to entering graduate school;
   3. Final year undergraduate/graduate student interested in pursuing careers in development.
2. Applicant must have demonstrable interest in the field of development
3. Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose
4. Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft applications)
5. Experience in social media platforms
6. Excellent written and oral communication skills

Applicants should possess the following competencies:

1. Technical – Possesses excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize concepts and material into clear and concise thoughts (see also Communication below)
2. Managing resources – Organizes and manages information to achieve defined goals and optimum results. Has the ability to work independently
3. Communication – Effectively presents thoughts and ideas, including complex technical concepts, in a clear, concise and readily understood manner, both verbally and in writing. Listens to and acknowledges others' perspectives and views
4. Flexibility – Works effectively on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapts to changing demands and circumstances
5. Interpersonal skills – Able to work well in a team environment

Qualifications et expériences requises

The following documents are required for submission, no later than March 31st , 2017:

• CV/resume and cover letter
• Up-to-date university transcript or equivalent institutional record
• Two letters of recommendation (colleagues, professors etc.)

Please submit applications via email to: hrapply.bb@undp.org with subject heading: Dominica Recovery Programme Technical Intern