Intern - Economist

Background

Under the guidance of the RR/RC and direct supervision of the Senior Economist, PSPU; the Intern compiles data and support prepare reports that advises Management on macroeconomic policies and trends and relevant linkages with topical emerging issues in South Africa. The Intern provides support for studies, reports and analysis for formulation of strategies and briefings to Management. The Interns advocates for the SDGs, represents UNDP in meetings, and takes minutes, as requested by his/her supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Summary of Key Functions:

• Support Senior Economist to compile, collate and analyses economic and development issues
• Support as well as initiate research work to support policy content of Programme
• Advocacy and promotion of the SDGs and UNDP’s mandate and mission and the implementation of the SDGs.

Provides support to PSPU, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country.
• Support the development and launch of economic reports, including National Human Development Reports.
• A.O.B as assigned.

Support as well as initiate research work to support policy content of Programme

Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocate and support the localization of the SDGs through research, preparing presentations and by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings. 
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the SDGs.
• Support Management of events and publications on economic issues.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Interest in development;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Ability to provide good quality policy notes and briefs on economic issues;
• Good research and data management skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:First Degree in EconomicsApplicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• 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:

• No work experience necessary but must be eager and proactive and needs experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and statistical analysis of data such as SPSS, Eviews, STRATA.

Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English language.

Internship Conditions:

A few key points regarding internships with UNDP:

• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses  are the responsibility of  the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence through private sources.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;

Subsequent Employment: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.

Application procedure:Applications including an updated CV and cover letter should be uploaded on the UNDP job site.