UNDP Jobs - 81138- Intern - Disaster Risk Reduction

Intern - Disaster Risk Reduction

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2018

Application Deadline :

28-Sep-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

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

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

Sustainable development
Democratic governance and peacebuilding
Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

Communities and countries are witnessing increased frequency and intensity of disaster events. Climate change and extreme weather events are impacting development at a pace not experienced in the past. Asia-Pacific region is known to be the worst affected region in the world, representing 72 percent of all disaster fatalities during 1970 to 2011 globally. Seventy-six per cent of tsunamis that have occurred took place in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal seas. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) tsunami were two of the worst tsunamis in recent years. Despite progress make in seismological and tsunami science in the last 50 years, these tsunamis caused devastating damage in the countries they hit.

Since 2005, UNDP has been working with national governments in 163 disaster-prone countries on disaster risk management, including disaster risk assessment, disaster risk governance and mainstreaming, disaster preparedness and early warning, and disaster recovery. The Disaster Risk Reduction Team in UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub has been implementing a regional project, Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunamis, since June 2017 with the support of the Government of Japan. Aiming at mitigating the impact of tsunamis by enhancing school preparedness, the project is currently in the stage of finalizing the first phase, working with 18 target countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. The project is scheduled to complete its first phase on the 30 November 2018.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will undertake the following tasks:

Understand the UNDP regional project, Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunamis, first phase as well as the results achieved by each target country;
Review existing guidelines by expert technical partners such as ITIC, IOTIC, LIPI etc.;
Suggest recommendations to include in the regional guideline in the context of tsunami school drills;
Draft first version of the regional guideline including all annexes;
Incorporate comments, inputs and feedback to finalize the guidelines by the end of October 2018.

Competencies

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;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Disaster Risk Management or equivalent.

Knowledgeable about disaster management and climate change issues;
Proven track record in planning and coordinating various stakeholders;
Aware of the UN’s work in this field;

IT skills:

Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;

Language skills:

English required;
Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

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.

NOTE: If selected for the position, interns are requested to provide a letter from university confirming current enrollment and graduation date, a copy of school transcript, a letter of endorsement from professor, a medical certificate of good health, a copy of medical insurance coverage during internship assignment in Thailand, and a copy of passport.