Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND

The United Nations Development Programme - UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories around the world, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities; and to build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change.

The organization also supports countries' efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs that will guide global development priorities through 2030.

OFFICE BACKGROUND

As UNDP supports countries on their way to achieving the SDGs, through country programs driven by national development priorities. For Guatemala, the priorities have been focused on the eradication of poverty; the 2022-2025 country programme has set out to contribute to national efforts towards sustainable, resilient, equitable and inclusive development through a participatory and innovative, as the core approach.

UNDP in Guatemala support is structured on the following programmatic priorities: a) Strong institutions; b) Peace, security, and justice; c) Promotion of resilience for adaptation to climate change; d) Sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development. Both the Strategic Plan and the Country Programme have defined the strengthening of Gender Equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a priority area. These priorities are implemented to assist the State of Guatemala to comply with the National Development Priorities, defined in the General Government Policy 2020-2024.

Guatemala faces development challenges in many dimensions as the 2022 Human Development Indexes reveal. These challenges are even larger for populations in vulnerable conditions, including indigenous communities, women, and people with disabilities in places where climate change effects are present.  Despite contributing only 0.08% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, Guatemala is among the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change. The rains and tropical storms that the territory suffers such as Mitch in 1998, Agatha in 2010, Eta & Iota in 2020 and the last one, “Julia” in 2022 that caused damage to 4.3 million people, 674 roads and 189 schools. In addition to the pluvial phenomena that have caused serious flooding, other contradictory effects are also present; Drought and changes in rainfall patterns, which have affected various territories, particularly the Dry Corridor, where municipal territories present in average, a low Human Development level (0.497) compared to the metropolitan area (0.792). In these areas agricultural activities have been impacted by the lack of water too, triggering other complications such as migration.

UNDP in Guatemala has also opened the Accelerator Lab since 2021, as part of a network of 91 Labs present in 115 countries. The Accelerator Labs (Acc Lab) are part of the UNDP’s drive to be an incubator for the future, focusing in alternative and innovative ways to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda. The Acc Labs are designed to close the gap between the current practices of international development and Global South Challenges, proposing a bottom-up approach, celebrating local ingenuity, and focusing on the power of grassroots solutions to accelerate the pace of change.

For the 2023, the Acc Labs are performing as an R&D for the Country Offices; Solutions Mapping, Exploration (data-based decision making) and Experimentation (to test grassroots solutions) are part of the new capabilities offer the labs, towards faster action, through learning exchange, iteration, and growing as new approaches to the future of development.

The Guatemala Accelerator Lab has focused on the Climate Change Resilience, with the Energy and Environment Program, having the main entry point in Solid Waste Management towards Circular Economy. As for 2023, the Lab is also working on Climate Change adaptation tackling into Water Scarcity and prototyping efficient water management solutions with farmers.

Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Technical/Functional Competencies/Skills:

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• 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.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Soft skills particularly on creative and critical thinking to assess and support collaborative processes using innovative approaches and methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English.
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Eligibility:

Applicants to the UNDP 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), preferably in fields such as social, economic, or political sciences or related fields, such as international affairs, studies on sustainable development, local or community development, environmental governance, environmental policies or any other related.   
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Intern requirements:

• In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with a rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• 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.
• Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institutions.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. The Intern must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
• UNDP does not provide assistance with travel and/or housing and the Intern will be responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• 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.
• Additional information regarding the UNDP Internship Programme may be obtained at http://www.undp.org/internships.

Selected candidates must submit following documents prior to joining:

• Letter from the university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
• Copy of passport;
• A copy of his/her more recent school transcript;
• A medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship, the physician must indicate whether s/he is to travel and has the required inoculations for Guatemala
• Proof of valid Medical Insurance, valid for the duration of the internship programme in Guatemala
• Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance and
• A signed UNDP Internship Agreement.

PROCESS TO APPLY: 

1. Press “Apply Now” 
2. Complete the requested information in each blank 
3. When you finish, press “Submit Application” 
4. The system will open other page to attach a file. In “Attach CV”, you should attach your P11 Form (available in http://www.gt.undp.org/content/guatemala/es/home/operations/jobs/  That form should be completed and signed. 

IMPORTANT: 

• You should attach your P11 form.  Do not attach your CV 

• If the P11 form is incomplete and/or not signed, your application could not be considered and processed. 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.