The Regional Programme for Africa is a flagship programme for UNDP that responds to challenges and opportunities facing the African Continent and to the priorities and aspirations of Africa as articulated by the African Union and other regional organs. These are convergent with the vision, areas of work and guiding principles of the UNDP strategic plan, 2014-2017, and the directions of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review. The programme builds on the successes and responds to the lessons from past cooperation, with special attention to programme focus and effective engagement with the African Union and the regional economic communities through the development of long-term strategic partnerships. 

Underpinned by African ownership and leadership and cognizant of the rich diversity of the continent, UNDP regional work is based on five mutually reinforcing rationality principles, which define the added value of regional or sub-regional approaches to addressing development challenges. These are: (a) promotion of regional public goods and services, based on strengthened regional cooperation and integration; (b) management of cross-border externalities (challenges and opportunities) and spill-overs – such as trade, the environment and conflict prevention  that are best addressed collaboratively on an inter-country basis; (c) advancement of awareness, dialogue and action on sensitive and or emerging development issues that benefit strongly from multi-country and regional experiences and perspectives; (d) promotion of experimentation and innovation to overcome institutional, financial and/or informational barriers that may be too high for an individual country to surmount; and (e) generation and sharing of development knowledge, experience and expertise – for instance, through South-South and triangular cooperation – so that countries can connect to, and benefit from, relevant experiences from across the region and beyond. In all this, UNDP will make South-South and triangular cooperation core ways of working in the regional programme, to buttress inter-country initiatives that accelerate regional integration in Africa.

The Regional Programme contributes directly to the UNDP Strategic Plan by focusing on two outcome areas: (i) accelerate structural transformations for sustainable development (Outcome 2), and (ii) build resilience to shocks and crisis (Outcome 3). The three priority areas/outcomes of the Regional Programme are: 

Outcome 1: African Union and RECs deliver on their mandate, especially cross-cutting issues related to resilience-building (SP Outcome 2);

Outcome 2: Regional growth is inclusive, transformational and sustainable with reduced economic inequalities, and characterized by structural transformation (SP Outcome 2);

Outcome 3: Regional institutions sustain peace and build resilience to crises and shocks (SP Outcome 3).

The Regional Programme team at the Regional Centre for Africa is looking for a competent intern who will support the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism regional project and the ongoing research on irregular migration out of Africa.   

Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism regional project:

The Project focuses on nine(9) Actions including: (1) Rule of law and Security: national institutions and communities are better equipped to prevent and address violent extremism (2) Disengagement and reintegration: members of extremist groups are disengaged and reintegrated into communities (3) socio-economic factor: At risk youths and vulnerable people benefit from livelihood initiatives (4) media, technology and public awareness: violent narratives and propaganda are countered (5) community resilience: communities and religious institutions are resilient to the effects of violent extremism (6) Setting up national observatories to analyse violent extremism at the national levels and provide policy advice (7) Gender specific engagements: women are empowered to play a leading role in prevention and response to violent extremism (8) Research and advocacy: Regional and national policies and programming are informed by research and analysis on violent extremism (9) Regional Level interventions:  Regional and sub-regional entities are coordinated and enabled to prevent and address violent extremism  [the project document can be found at

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Democratic%20Governance/Local%20Governance/UNDP_RBA_Preventing_and_Responding_to_Violent_Extremism_2016-19.pdf ]. 

Research on irregular migration out of Africa:

In response to the expected increase in irregular migration from the African continent to Europe, the weak evidence base and in recognition of the profound humanitarian crisis that has been associated with irregular migration, UNDP Regional Programme for Africa is carrying out a research on migration with the following objectives:

1) Detail the mechanisms, including root causes and drivers, that produce irregular migration from the African continent; and 

2) Produce comparable data on the economic and social space irregular migrants occupy (occupied) in host countries as well as their countries of origin

The research contributes to the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021) and is well aligned with the Regional Programme’s priority areas/outcomes, particularly Outcome 3, Output 3.4 (AU and RECs have enhanced technical capacities to strengthen effective governance of labour migration and mobility in Africa).

Under the under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme’s Data and Research Analyst and the Programme Analyst for the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism regional project, the intern shall perform, inter alia, the following tasks:

The intern will Support the Regional Programme team with the below: 

Support implementation of Violent Extremism Project:

• Support the development of regional and national action plans;
• Support the development of community initiatives;
• Draft, review and edit knowledge products, proposals, minutes etc.;
• Assist in developing and disseminating products and lessons learned.

Research and Data Management:

• Supoort gathering of relevant data pertaining to migration, particularly in relation to irregular migration;
• Background research on the issues around irregular migration, particularly from the African continent;
• Research on the legal pathways of migration to Europe and support research on the implications on policy and programming;
• Work together with the research team and provide logistic support to coordinate the study;
• Manage files and online database of related documents in a structured way. 

Programme Implementation:

• Support the drafting, review and edit concepts notes and project documents;
• Support other regional projects; 
• Participate in meetings and capture discussions.

The more specific focus will be decided in consultation with the intern taking into account his/her skills development interests.

Technical / Functional Competencies:

• Good writing and researching skills.
• Strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills.
• Good organizational, time management and strong interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work flexibly and meet tight deadlines.
• Attention to details and proven ability to work independently and effectively.
• Computer proficiency: MS Office

Personal Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.
• Works collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners. 
• Positive and results-oriented attitude.

Education:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); in the fields of communications, marketing, public relations, development studies, economics, business, and related fields;
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Understanding of Partnership Development, Fundraising and/or Resources Mobilization would be beneficial.;
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose  and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Language:

• Proficiency in English;
• Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Intern requiements:

• Applicants should indicate which months they are available part and/or full time and when they complete their studies;
• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• The intern is 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;
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• The Intern is expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for his/her education programme;
• The intern will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation etc.;
• Additional information regarding the UNDP Internship Programme may be obtained at http://www.undp.org/internships.