Internship opportunities with UNDP Malaysia

Background

About United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 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. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

At UNDP, we support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities until 2030.

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

• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience

UNDP Malaysia

UNDP's work in Malaysia, an upper middle income country, is governed by the Country Programme Action Plan 2016-2020 (CPAP), developed in broad consultation with the Malaysian government and multiple stakeholders. The CPAP was endorsed by UNDP’s Executive Board in September 2015.  Policy and programmatic strategies are identified jointly with the Government and implemented by over 10 ministries and agencies. 

The CPAP Outcomes for 2016-2020 are: 

Outcome 1: Inclusive Development and GrowthIn addressing the development impact of economic and spatial restructuring underpinning growth and its implications for inclusion, focus will be on East Malaysia and the lagging states in Peninsular Malaysia. Recognizing that vulnerabilities comprise multi-dimensional characteristics, the programme goes beyond absolute income thresholds with a targeted focus and prioritization of B40 households, alongside spatial dimensions, inter and intra-ethnic distinctions, women, and other vulnerable communities, including undocumented communities. 

Outcome 2: Sustainable and Resilient DevelopmentThe key challenges to sustainable and resilient development are pivoted on the urgent need to minimize the impacts of economic activity on the environmental systems. In line with the national green growth agenda, UNDP will support the government in addressing the issues of climate variability and change and the degradation of biodiversity and land in a holistic manner and through the sustainable use of resources, in close collaboration with non-state development actors. 

More information about UNDP CO Malaysia could be obtained from the website: http://www.my.undp.org.  

Objectives of the internship

Provide tertiary-level students with an exposure to the working environment of a multilateral organization and a better understanding of UNDP Malaysia’s goals and activities, through practical and guided hands-on exposure and involvement in UNDP’s development projects in Malaysia

Assignments will vary in terms of content.  Every attempt is made to match the interests of the intern with the needs of the Organisation.  Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP Malaysia.

Duties and Responsibilities

The key result expected is support to the programme unit in charge of the Inclusive Growth and Development portfolio through research, analysis, and writing and other support as needed. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the intern is expected to perform the following tasks: 

1. Engage in desk research in the thematic priority areas in the programme portfolio as determined by the supervisor;   
2. Compile research findings (eg best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and key narratives) on determined thematic areas;
3. Provide support to the UNDP programme cluster’s seminars, workshops, conferences, where applicable.

At the end of the internship, the following outputs will be expected: -

• A report on the work done on thematic priority areas (scope to be determined by the supervisor with consultation of the intern). 

Competencies

Core Competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competences:

• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision;
• Self-management and emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication skills;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Access, etc); good knowledge and experience in handling of web based information management systems;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently;
• Strong inter-personal social skills and ability to work within a team environment as a contributing member.

Language:

• Mandatory: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
• Strongly Recommended: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Malay;
• Optional: Fluency in any of the United Nations’ official languages: Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish

Work Arrangements 

The intern will work full-time in the UNDP Malaysia Country Office.  In the office, work space will be provided, and the intern will have access to a computer, whenever possible.  While telecommuting on assignments agreed with the supervisor, the intern will be responsible for using his/her own computer.     

Expenses/Cost

All costs such as living expenses, 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.  UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship;

Status in the UN

Gratis Personnel and are not considered as staff members. 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.

Other Relevant Information

1. Interns cannot apply for any UN vacancies during the period of internship. 
2. 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.
3. Successful candidate will be required to submit the following documents:

• Completed UNDP internship application form (downloaded from UNDP Malaysia website http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/UNDP%202015%20Interns%20Application%20Form.doc?download)
• Copy of applicant’s most recent resume/curriculum vitae
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date
• Copy of his/her school transcript
• Letter of recommendation/endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student's performance
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement
• Medical certificate of good health
• Proof of medical insurance for the duty station and period of internship
• Proof of life/accident insurance valid for the duty station and period of the internship.  Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.