Antecedentes

Background

UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) apply to UNDP projects and programmes and are intended to strengthen the social and environmental outcomes of UNDP projects and avoid adverse impacts to people and the environment affected by projects. UNDP’s Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) within the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) helps ensure compliance with the SES. SECU forms one of the two units that comprise UNDP’s Accountability Mechanism (the other being a dispute resolution function that is located in a separate office from SECU). SECU conducts compliance reviews in response to complaints alleging that the SES have somehow been violated in the context of UNDP projects and programming. SECU investigates these claims to determine if and how the SES have been violated (rendering a project “out of compliance with the SES”), and how a project can be brought into compliance with corrective measures.

The operations of SECU within OAI are ongoing and require support, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness of SECU, executing outreach campaigns with related media, coordinating our social media presence, assisting in policy/factual research, providing logistical support for events (such as conferences, presentations, and meetings), and supporting its operations, including the possibility of assisting in specific compliance review cases. SECU is seeking an intern to aid in these functions.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the SECU Head of Unit, the Intern will be asked to complete tasks from the following:

  • Assists in policy and/or factual research.
  • Assists in social media, traditional media and other outreach/communication campaigns.
  • Assists in editing, formatting, and drafting relevant documents.
  • Assists in identifying, collating and analysing evidence.
  • Assists in event and logistics coordination, including conferences that SECU would organize itself and ones that SECU would attend/present at.
  • Assists in various administrative tasks.
  • Assists in the intake and processing of SECU complaints and/or Dispute Resolution requests.
  • Undertakes other related functions as requested by the SECU Head of Unit or others at OAI/SECU.
  • If multilingual, assists in translations and translation quality control of relevant documents, as well as outreach/inreach in other languages.
  • Possesses a willingness to be adaptive, take on extra responsibility, be proactive and willing to help on whatever needs assistance.
  • Understands the importance of maintaining independence in executing SECU functions and is able to work in a dynamic environment.

Competencias

Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity;
  • Demonstrates the ability to remain objective, neutral and independent;
  • Displays cultural sensitivity;
  • Produces timely, quality outputs;
  • Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks;
  • Writes clearly and effectively; and
  • Speaks clearly and convincingly.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

Applicants must at the time of the application meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme or higher) in communications, graphic visual design/communications, law, international development/affairs/public policy, human rights/environmental law, or other related field;
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in communications, graphic visual design/communications, law, international development/affairs/public policy, human rights/environmental law, or other related field;
  • Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program

Qualifications and experience:

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (word, power point, excel) required;
  • Knowledge of social media platforms required;
  • Excellent research, writing, communication, editing, and time-management skills;
  • Knowledge of graphic design and video-editing software (Adobe suite, etc) desirable;
  • Interest and/or experience in law, compliance, administrative decision-making, accountability mechanisms, alternative dispute resolution, and/or international development desirable.

Working Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English required;
  • Proficiency in French and/or Spanish highly desirable;
  • Fluency in other UN languages from areas in which UNDP has significant project portfolios desirable.

Work arrangements:

  • Internships are located at UNDP Headquarters in New York, however, due to the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the role may be home-based;
  • If home-based, interns will need to use their own laptop/notebook;
  • Internships can be full-time or part-time (to be agreed upon if selected); and
  • The top applicants will be selected for internships starting around September 2022, and for a calendar period of four to nine months;

Application process: the application should contain the following uploaded as one file:

  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  • Original text of up to 500 words addressing the following question: (i) why you would like to be considered for this internship and your primary motivation to apply for this role;  (ii)  timeframe and availability for an internship with SECU/OAI;
  • Please note that the UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents (CV/ Resume, Cover Letter etc. into a single file before uploading).

Terms and Conditions

Internships within the UN system are subject to following conditions, which the candidates should familiarize themselves with prior to applying:

  • Internship will be for a period of four to nine months. Part time is ok and to be negotiated with SECU Head of Unit.
  • Interns, who are not financially supported by an institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme, will receive a stipend in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.  A stipend is intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
  • Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of: (a) The nominating institution, related institution, or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or (b) The intern.
  • Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.

Subsequent Employment

  • 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. Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

Selected candidates must submit the following documents prior to being offered a Letter of Acceptance for Internship:

  • A duly completed UNDP Internship Application Form
  • A signed UNDP Internship Agreement
  • Copy of updated CV/resume
  • Official letter from the university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
  • Copy of passport/national ID card;
  • A copy of his/her school transcript;
  • Letter of endorsement/recommendation from a Professor;
  • Proof of both Medical and Life Insurance which is valid for the duty station and covers duration of the internship programme.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. UNDP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of color, gender, or any other status. 

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