In 2015, the 193 United Nations (UN) the Member States adopted 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The SDGs cover a broad set of challenges such as economic inclusion, diminishing natural resources, geopolitical instability, environmental degradation, and the multi-faceted impacts of climate change. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years and they define the agenda for inclusive economic growth through to 2030. 

The rapid advancement of technology in the past decade has changed the way organizations operate. UN General Assembly in its resolution 68/220  recognizes the vital role that science, technology, and solutions, including environmentally sound technologies, can play in the development and in facilitating efforts to address global challenges. To improve on the delivery of UN mandates to create meaningful impact, a programme was designed to leverage on the latest technology and harness global expertise and effort for the development of open source solutions, tools, and services to achieve the SDGs.
Recognizing that technological solutions play a critical role in moving the United Nations forward and acknowledging that the United Nations’ ability to engage in partnerships will be a significant factor in the efforts to successfully implement the SDGs (and the broader mandates of the United Nations), the UNOICT supports the journey to review, build, adapt and implement solutions to address problems that the Member States are facing.

The program is mandated to build solutions to needs related to UN mandates, namely in SDGs, for several thematic areas that are central to Malaysia and the region. It also aims to bring the right project interventions, global technology, expertise, and network through which and entrepreneurs to work on meaningful development of sustainable solutions. All solutions will be based on open-source standards, will use open data, and will eventually be available to all UN Member States.

The Circular economy project is to ensure innovations to achieve multiple SDGs through circular economy practices in Malaysia.  The Together4SDGs Hub project is to be Malaysia’s leading private sector SDG action digital platform that will demonstrate data-driven collective Private Sector actions on SDGs, Promotion of scalable sustainability ecosystems within the private sector, and bridging of Private Sector financing to grassroots SDG projects via a system that effectively mobilizes both financial and non-financial capabilities, to communities and locations where it most needed. Each project is based on different humanitarian themes that are central to the needs of the specific geolocation using AI, Blockchain, IoT, and other high-tech tools to develop technology solutions that will be open source and available globally to all Member States once operational.

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

1. 30% - Undertake research and analysis of sustainable development challenges and existing ecosystem business models. Work closely with partners, analysts, designers, etc.;
2. 50% - Produce detailed specifications and writing program codes, develop native prototypes, testing products in controlled environments before going live;
3. 5% - Support the research for and compilation and preparation of speeches, talking points, presentation materials, background notes. etc. on the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at national and local levels;
4. 5% - Provide support on technical and administrative requirements as needed (planning meetings/workshops, assisting in the preparation of presentations, reporting, etc.);
5. 5% - Support the team with other ad hoc tasks, as requested;
6. 5% - Ideation activities on potential solutions.

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Education: 

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree; or
• currently enrolled in a master’s degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies; or
• enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Field of study: computer science, management information systems, information and communications technology,  data mining, or equivalent. 

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

IT skills:

• Possess any combination of the following languages: C++, Go, Python, Java, Solidity, or a good understanding of software project management/development/support.
• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Proficiency in design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) and knowledge in web design and administration will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of various development methodologies e.g. Agile. 

Language skills:

• English required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will provide a stipend in the amount of RM637.50 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy.  Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• 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;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.