Background

The UN Resident Coordinator provides leadership to the Pacific Joint UN Country Team and the UN’s programming work, as outlined in the UN Pacific Strategy, in support of national priorities. The RC has a team composed of national and international staff, forming the Fiji RC Multi-Country Office (RCO), and is based in Suva, Fiji. The RCO Fiji oversees 10 Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), namely Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

The United Nations Pacific Strategy 2018-2022 is a five year strategic framework that outlines the collective response of the UN system to the development priorities in 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories and supports the  governments and peoples in the Pacific to advance a localized response to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This response is tailored to each country’s national priorities, and responds to the Pacific Leaders’ call to the United Nations system to “align its work programmes and operations to support internationally agreed outcomes, including the Small Islands Developing States, Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in the Pacific region” (2015 GA res. 69/318).

Supporting the implementation of the United Nations Pacific Strategy the RCO fulfils ten core coordination functions, namely strategic analysis and planning; oversight of the UN country programming cycle; representation of and support of UN Secretariat and UN agencies (incl. non-resident agencies); support to national coordination systems and processes; development and management of shared operational support services; crisis management preparedness and response; external communication and advocacy; human rights and development; joint resource mobilisation and fund management; and general UNCT oversight and coordination. Each area plays an important role in achieving supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals for the region.

The Resident Coordination Office in Suva invites eligible applicants to join the team in one of the areas specialized below:

1. strategic planning;
2. development economics;
3. partnerships and development finance;
4. data and results management and reporting;
5. communications and advocacy;
6. peace and development;
7. humanitarian development nexus;
8. UN75 and Pacific Listening Tour

Duties and Responsibilities

Internship-specific duties and responsibilities vary per team but may fall under the following categories:

• Conduct substantive research and analysis, including gathering and review of specialist reports; monitoring and tracking of political and thematic developments, including news updates; preparation of briefings and concept notes;
• Support and contribute to the reporting and M&E, including notetaking of key meetings, data collection and analysis; archiving; drafting, editing and fact-checking reports; development of infographics; drafting and publication of resource materials;
• Support and contribute to engagement with key partners (Parliament, Government, Ministries, civil society, Independent commissions, UN agencies, donors, etc.) including regular meetings with partners; mapping of partner activities; and participation in external events; working on proposals developments and researching new financing streams;
• Provide a range of services to support the effective and efficient implementation of the communication initiatives and support in the design of visual materials like posters, roll-ups and greeting cards;
• Provide assistance to organize internal and external events; support team integration and coordination;
• Assist in other related duties as required;

Core competencies:

• Communication
• Innovation
• Leadership
• People Management

Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Demonstrates strong writing skills, particularly the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments.
• Demonstrates drive to achieve results in timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Demonstrates an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff.

Required Skills and Experience

Candidates must be enrolled in a degree programme in Social Sciences, International Relations, Economic Development, Journalism, Political Science, Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing 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);
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Work Experience & Desired Skillset: 

• Experience in communications and social media outreach;
• Experience in online content development is desirable;
• Prior experience with the multilateral system is desirable;
• Must be able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities;
• Familiarity with social media platforms and graphic design and photo editing software applications;
• Self-starter; organized; able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and work to deadline.

General Internships Terms & Conditions:

• UNRCO Internship programme is governed by the UNDP Internship policy framework & rules.
• Under the new revised UNDP internship policy, UNRCO will provide a modest monthly internship stipend to its interns, in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern.
• Selected Interns must be able to share proof of education enrolment and/ or graduation, medical/ health and life/accident insurance, valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out and be able to provide insurance documentary proof at the time of their selection;
• There is no expectation of employment at the end of these internships.

Application Process

The applications are accepted on a rolling basis for 1 year and internships will be offered to successful candidates based on need and location present (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu).

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• Resume (updated)
• Motivation letter setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with UNRCO
• a letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date or proof of recent graduation or enrolment

UNRCO is committed to providing the intern with the training, guidance and support necessary to complete the above duties and responsibilities effectively and within the internship period. This will include, but not be limited to, scheduled meetings (weekly) to assess output progress, systems training (if required) and completion of required university reports for the purpose of meeting any necessary Degree requirements.