Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) envisions to contribute to Africa’s efforts to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion through the implementation of UNDP’ s Strategic Plan.

In view of the transforming development cooperation landscape and the ambitious goals set out by the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, it is more than ever crucial to mobilize a variety of sources for development finance and implementation of national development priorities. In this sense, South-South Cooperation has become an opportunity on the rise for technical and financial cooperation for partners from the South, whereas the respect of Development Effectiveness related principles can ensure that the available resources are used effectively.

UNDP’s South-South Cooperation and Development Effectiveness Team (SSC&DE Team) in the Africa Region covers activities related to regional and country level support in the implementation of the African development priorities with a particular focus to its alignment with South-South Cooperation & Development Effectiveness principles as per UNDP’s South-South Cooperation Strategy and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC). The team collaborates closely with the other units in order to establish linkages between these cross-cutting principles and programme achievements and works with the GPEDC UNDP/OECD Joint Support Team in the region, including in the organization of the upcoming GPEDC High Level Meeting.

The team at the Regional Centre for Africa is looking for a competent intern who will support the South-South Cooperation and Development Effectiveness Advisor based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the South-South Cooperation and Development Effectiveness Specialist, the intern shall perform, inter alia, the following tasks:

Research, Policy Analysis and Knowledge Management:

  • Assist in the mainstreaming of South South/Triangular Cooperation Principles into national development programmes and strategies, including through the SDGs domestication process;
  • Provide support to countries in the codification of good practices and in their dissemination through SSMART and South-South exchanges to other countries;
  • Support SSC&DE team in the research and policy analysis of African trends and challenges on merging South South/Triangular Cooperation partnerships;
  • Maintain regional needs assessment mappings and databases on South South/Triangular Cooperation in a structured way;
  • Draft, review and edit concepts notes, knowledge products and presentations on the subject matter for internal and external purposes.

Support to workshops and events:

  • Support the team in organizing webinars and online Communities of Practice;
  • Provide substantive, administrative and logistic support to regional and global events related to South-South Cooperation;

The more specific focus will be decided in consultation with the intern taking into account his/her skills development interests.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • 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 analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
  • Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
  • Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
  • Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
  • Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree (e.g. an area related to international development, social sciences, economics or law); or
  • Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
  • have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Experience:

  • Understanding of Development Effectiveness, South-South/Triangular Cooperation and/or Development Finance would be beneficial;
  • Africa experience or know-how is beneficial;
  • Computer literate in standard software applications;
  • Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter; and
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Language:

  • Proficiency in English and working knowledge of French;
  • Knowledge of Portuguese or other UN languages would be an asset.

Intern requirements:

  • Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies;
  • UNDP internships are not remunerated. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.
  • Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

Language:

  • Proficiency in English and working knowledge of French;
  • Knowledge of Portuguese or other UN languages would be an asset.

Intern requirements:

  • Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies;
  • UNDP internships are not remunerated. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.
  • Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.