UNDP Jobs - 74430- Intern for Gender Equality (non-remunerated post)

Intern for Gender Equality (non-remunerated post)

Location :

Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three (3) months with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Strengthening the Role of Local Communities (Mjesne Zajednice/MZs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project (2015 – 2019) is a joint initiative of the Government of Switzerland and the Government of Sweden, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The overall project objective is contribute to better quality of life of BiH citizens through increased democratic participation and accountability, enhanced local services and infrastructure and social inclusion. The chosen means to achieve this goal is through encouraging community-led local development and revitalising community government by MZs, as the places where government comes closest to the people and as grass-roots organisations that serve communities of around 1,000 people, with the possibility for real participation and joint action. The three specific project outcomes are:

Citizens and governments are committed to realise the jointly agreed upon new inclusive and gender-sensitive vision of MZs, as foundation for more participatory and accountable local governance in the country;
Pro-active, capacitated and inter-connected MZs contribute to downward responsiveness of local governments and improved service delivery;
A new regulatory framework for functional MZs developed by governments enables more inclusive, gender-sensitive and accountable local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Project will work directly with approximately 120 MZs country-wide and 20 local governments.

Gender equality principles are at the core of development agenda of both Swiss and Swedish Governments, while UNDP with its Gender Equality Strategy (2014-2017) puts forward the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women at the center of its mandate as being intrinsic to its development approach. Therefore, recognising both potentials and implications of working on community development agenda for gender equality, the project document commits to mainstream the gender equality principles, particularly with regard to i) ensuring participation and representation of women in the decision-making processes and political life, ii) making equal use of benefits and access to public services and infrastructure by both men and women; iii) contributing to women empowerment and employability in target areas, and iv) applying gender-sensitive legislative formulation. This is why gender mainstreaming strategy was produced at the project inception stage in order to identify the "whys" and the "hows" of utilising gender equality principle for securing more active citizenry, and more developed and engaged communities and improved quality of life for both women and men, girls and boys alike.

Under overall supervision of MZ project manager, the intern will work closely with MZ Gender Advisor and in cooperation with relevant MZ team members to contribute to implementation of Gender Mainstreaming Strategy of the “The Strengthening the Role of Local Communities (Mjesne Zajednice/MZs).

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide Research, Documentation and Knowledge Generation Support:

Conduct research in the gender equality priority areas that is determined jointly by the supervisor, gender specialist and the intern;
Provide concurrent research and documentation support for ongoing gender equality related initiatives and briefing/concept notes;
Collate and organize knowledge resources and facilitate their dissemination;
Draft, review and/or edit gender equality related inputs such as: texts, blogs, knowledge products, narrative reports, research reports, evaluation reports etc. for MZ initiatives, sub-projects and MZ web platform;
Compile best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and stories with a gender angle of the key thematic development areas;
Provide relevant inputs for UNDP CO Gender Action Plan.

Provide Knowledge and Information Management Support:

Assist in preparation of knowledge resources, communications and background material for internal and external use, including fact sheets on gender equality issues;
Support content creation and/or editing of gender equality inputs of the MZ web portal and social media;
Support aggregation of data and consolidation of gender equality related information;
Assist in day to day management, documentation and reporting on gender equality activities as required;
Provide technical and logistical support for organizing workshops, meetings and consultations with relevant stakeholders;
Participate in various meetings with partners and other stakeholders and prepare notes/meeting minutes.

Deliverables:

Gender equality research and documentation for the project, including research reports, briefing notes and narratives;
Knowledge resources and communications material including for MZ web platform and social media developed;
Best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and stories with a gender angle of the key thematic development areas;
Compile and update databases for knowledge resources and partners;
Provide support for organising trainings/events/meetings.

Competencies

Have a keen interest in the work of the UN and the UNDP and demonstrate a commitment to its statement of purpose and to the ideals of the UN;
Ability to successfully interact with individuals of differing socio-economic, religious and cultural backgrounds both professionally and personally;
Ability and desire to work in a team;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Excellent organizational and communication skills;
Strong research skills and ability to identify relevant information
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
Ability to work under tight deadlines;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Detail-oriented way of working;
Innovative and creative approach to tasks;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
The intern needs to have a strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, and community development.
He/she is required to demonstrate writing skills and creative thinking.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic requirements:

Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme in gender studies, international development, journalism, law, social sciences (minimum Bachelor’s level);
Be enrolled in a Master degree programme;
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Links and/or samples of published blogs, texts, etc.

Skills:

Proficiency in English;
Knowledge of local languages would be an asset;
Computer literacy in standard office software applications.

Learnings:

The intern will have the opportunity to:

Participate in in-house training opportunities as applicable;
Learn the structure, mechanisms, policies and practice areas of UNDP;
Participate in dedicated trainings and UNDP online learning tools;
Strengthen his/her effective writing.

How to Apply

The candidate should apply online through the Job Site by submitting his/her CV and motivation letter.

Terms and conditions

UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship; however, you will gain valuable insight into UNDP and a global network;
All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or sponsoring institution;
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;
Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for their education programme;
The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
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.
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

More information available at: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html.

Both national and international interns are eligible.