Historique

The Namibia Accelerator Lab of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is looking for an upcoming young vibrant student to take up the role of a UNDP Intern for a 6-month period. The ideal candidate is expected to be curious, committed, a continuous learner and passionate about seeing change in Namibia. They should be a broad thinker considering various levels in political, social, economic, technological and environmental challenges affecting Namibia. Overall, they should aspire to contribute to Namibia’s long-term economic progression, social transformation, environmental sustainability and good governance.

The UNDP Accelerator Lab is the largest and fastest learning global network of Accelerator Labs embedded within UNDP’s global architecture and country platforms. The new offering builds on the latest thinking from the fields of complexity science, lead user innovation and collective intelligence to accelerate development impact.

The network will surface and reinforce locally sourced solutions at scale while mobilizing a wide and dynamic partnership of actors contributing knowledge, resources and experience. The idea is to transform the UNDP’s collective approach by introducing new protocols, backed by evidence and practice, which accelerate the testing and dissemination of solutions within and across countries. This will enable the global community to collectively learn from local knowledge and ingenuity at a speed and at a scale that our societies and the planet require. This will be achieved by:

• Building on locally sourced solutions, finding things that work and expanding on them;
• Rapid testing and iteration to implement what works and go beyond the obvious solutions;
• Combining the best understanding, ideas and expertise to generate collective knowledge;
• Accelerating progress by bringing expertise, creativity and collective intelligence to bear.

The Namibia Accelerator Lab will focus on the following:

• External facing interventions addressing priority development challenges as articulated in Vision 2030; fifth National Development Plans; and policies, strategies and action plans,
• Internally facing experiments to embed new ways of doing development within the existing UNDP portfolio. 

Devoirs et responsabilités

The general tasks of the Internship include Project/Concept initiation, Research and Innovation, Advocacy and Communication. Explicitly, the Accelerator Lab expects the intern to:

• Provide support to the Lab in conducting research and analyzing key development trends in Namibia and across the world;
• Assist in conducting desk top research, analysis which will contribute to the Accelerator Lab’s publications and blogs at global level;  
• Provide administrative support to the lab’s learning cycle in sensemaking, exploring, testing and growing solutions;
• File manual and electronic records of the lab;
• Monitor and keep abreast of developments (socio-economic, population dynamics, trends, etc.) and broad issues related to sustainable development in Namibia, and their linkages to development processes in Namibia (using articles, newspapers, and other media sources);
• Participate in meetings and workshops, and prepare relevant and necessary documentation (minutes, concept notes, issue papers, and proposals using the prescribed format and templates);
• Draft and contribute to the documentation of human-interest stories and communication for development results in the areas of work that is supported by or with UNDP’ resources;
• Manage the calendar of events and activities undertaken by the AccLab in terms of providing follow-up communication with both internal (UN) and external stakeholders (covering the public sector, academia, civil society, media and private sector) and;
• Assist in tracking the exchange of information on planned and on-going activities.
• Any other tasks relevant to the Acc lab functions.

The specific value of the Internship for the candidate include:

• Exposure to and learning about the United Nations and in particular the UNDP;
• The opportunity to build on existing and academic knowledge through practical work with the Accelerator Lab in building relationships with the Public Sector; Private Sector; NGOs; CBOs; Academia; the media and development partners in the areas of employment creation; climate change and good governance.
• A deeper understanding of project management and new ways of thinking about accelerating development solutions; 
• Monitoring of the SDGs through the SDG hub and other media platforms;
• Learn about at least two Accelerator Lab initiatives and applying the learning cycle to an area of action research during the internship period;
• Commitment to personal and career growth;
• Access to additional online learning opportunities;
• Explore opportunities for studying at NQA level 9, in line with the UNDP’s multidimensional and multidisciplinary focus;
• On completion of the internship period, the candidate will receive a UNDP Testimonial highlighting the work undertaken for possible consideration by other employers.

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

• About to Graduate or Recent BA or Honours graduates or currently registered MA students majoring in either public administration, management, economic or social sciences or any other international development related field/s;  
• At least a first class pass on academic performance (attach a copy of your most recent/latest grading report with your application) or Thesis topic;
• Outstanding performance on practical or applied assignment/s or most relevant Thesis topic;
• Fluent in written and spoken English with excellent communication skills;
• A reference and / or supporting letter from one of your University Professors;
• Candidates with a keen interest or focus on sustainable development, urban and rural development, public sector, business management and governance  will get preferences; and
• Advanced Graduates who are pursuing at NQF9 in the field of Public Policy/Administration/Humanities/Social Sciences/Development will receive preference;
• Shortlisted candidates will be expected to undergo assessments.

Compétences

Competencies

• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to work in a diverse team: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals and keep focus on results;
• Good self-management, hardworking, commitment and diligence;
• Maintains confidentiality and principled manners;
• Pleasant personality will serve as advantage;

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education

• Student who have attained NQF 7 in the above-mentioned fields.
• Students currently enrolled in their final year NQF  8 or  NQF 9 who are able to dedicate time away from face to face studies as part of their studies requirements.
• Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields.

Language

Fluency in oral and written English.  Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Requirements

Candidates should submit:

• A brief, clear resume not more than 3 pages; and
• Letter of motivation;
• Evidence that they will be committed for at least a period of minimum of 3 and maximum of 9 months;
• Endorsement letter or letter of reference from the Dean of Students;
• Contact email and cell phone number;
• Must be willing to undertake assessments / placement tests.