Background

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Principe is an archipelago located some 300 km to the west of the African continent. The country is characterized by a fragmented insularity on two main islands and islets. According to official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the total population of the country is, in 2015, 194,006, of which a little over 50% are women, and the under-25s are estimated for nearly 62%.

The United Nations Team (UNCT) is a trusted partner of STP, supporting the government in achieving its development goals. The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2017-2021) for the RDSTP is an expression of the UN Country Team's commitment to support the people of STP in their development aspirations as articulated in the Transformative Agenda for 2030 of the country. This UNDAF was developed according to the principles of Delivering as One, aimed at ensuring better ownership of government demonstrated by aligning the UNDAF with government priorities and planning cycles as well as an internal coherence among United Nations agencies and programs operating in São Tomé e Príncipe.

The three effects selected by the Country Team and the Government that will contribute to these changes are:

  • social cohesion;
  • strengthening of central and local public administration;
  • Employment and competitiveness are ensured through economic diversification and the development of resilience.

Following the signature of UNDAF in 2016, three Joint Work Plans have been developed for the year 2017, but also for the years 2018-2019, based on the three thematic areas (i) Social Cohesion, (ii) Governance and, (iii) Economic Growth and Resilience.
The first one is linked to Health, nutrition, sanitation, education, Youth, Scholar alimentation, Social Protection.
The second one is linked to local development, accountability, Justice Reform, data collect.
The last one is linked to employment, Climate Change, local and rural development, agriculture, biodiversity, Natural resources.

To coordinate the work of the UN system at the country level, each RC/UNCT have a RC Office (RCO) to support these roles and demands. UNCT members will actively support the RCO within the context of the UNDAF results framework, including in technical support to achieve agreed UNCT results and in analysis, planning, tracking and reporting processes, information management, communication and advocacy.        

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the internship

  1. Enhance the educational experience of graduate students through practical and guided hands-on exposure and involvement in UNDP development projects in São Tomé e Príncipe;
  2. Provide graduate students with an exposure to the working environment of a multilateral organization and a better understanding of UNDP São Tomé e Príncipe’s goals and activities.                            
  3. Duties and responsabilities

Intern will be expected to provide support to the Resident Coordinator Office and UNDP Country Office which are currently recruiting interns in the following areas of work:

  • Communication;
  • Project Development linked to Social Cohesion; Governance; Economic Growth and Resilience;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation;
  • SDGs implementation;
  • Any other relevant areas.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Ability to model the Unites Nations values and standards;
  • Sensitivity and flexibility when faced with cultural, gender-based, religious, ethnic and other types of differences.

Functional Competencies:

  • Client-orientation;
  • Strong facilitation techniques;
  • Ability to work against tight deadlines and deliver results on time;
  • Diplomacy;
  • Excellent writing skills (structure, formatting, presentation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
University degree (or pursuing final year) in the field of international relation, law, development or equivalent;

Experience:
Relevant working experience in the field of international relation will be preferable
Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
Ability to write clearly and concisely;
Initiative, sound judgement and demonstrated to work harmonuously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language:
Excellent command of written and spoken English and Portuguese. French will be an asset.

Please note

Expenses and Cost:
United Nations interns are not paid. All costs such as living expenses, accommodation, travel, visa application fees and any other costs related to the internship MUST be borne by the intern unless provided for by a sponsoring institution, e.g. university, education programme, etc.
Medical Insurance: You will be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship and must show proof of a valid major global medical insurance coverage.

Status in the UN
Interns are not considered as staff members.

Other Relevant Information
Interns cannot apply for any UN vacancies during the period of internship.
Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break from the end of the internship, must be respected.
The intern must keep confidential any and all unpublished information made known during the course of the internship and not publish any reports or paper on the basis of information obtained except with the written approval and authorization of UNDP.

Application process
The application must contain the following materials (NB: incomplete applications will not be considered):
Motivation Letter specifying reasons why candidate is seeking the internship and what is expected from the experience;
Curriculum Vitae;
Official Letter form the University conforming enrollment and specifying expected graduation date;
Complete UNDP application Form for Internship (MS Word/PDF): www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/UNDP-Internship-Application.doc

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for interview.
Before being offered a Letter of Acceptance for Internship, the selected candidate will have to provide the following additional documents:

  • A Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether s/he is for to travel and has the required inoculations for the country to which they are to travel;
  • Proof of both Medical and Life Insurance cover valid for the duration of the internship programme.

Please click the following link for more information about UNDP’s internship programme:
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/jobs.html

Fund: 04000