Background

Mongolia has a young population with nearly one in three classified as youth, that is between 15 and 34 years. A significant challenge facing many of these young people is income generation. With the recent economic crises resulting in the fourth largest bailout package in IMF history (based on GDP), youth unemployment is nearly 21% (15-24 years, 2016), poverty has increased by 37% within two years (2016), and the school-to-work transition for urban Mongolians is up to 2.9 years. Within and outside Mongolia, innovation and entrepreneurship is being pursued by many as a means of addressing such challenges and advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whilst there is a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Mongolia, many of the projects and activities use international models often with minimal contextualization and results can be slow to have significant impact.

Since mid-2017, UNDP Mongolia has been undertaking activities to understand the entrepreneurial mindset of young Mongolians and the innovation ecosystem in Mongolia. This work has highlighted the need to support the development of enterprising tendencies and skills in Mongolian youth. Approaching youth income generation through an enterprising lens as opposed to a purely entrepreneurial one, offers an opportunity to address several SDGs and challenges facing young people simultaneously. Improving the enterprising tendencies, skills, behaviors and activities of young Mongolians, can increase income generation choices. Whilst supporting those who pursue self-employment, it also enables those who become employees to be more successful in getting things done and overcoming challenges. Similarly, enterprising tendencies are essential in active citizens who can meet their own needs and create sustainable, resilient communities.

In 2019, UNDP Mongolia is working on the design, testing and implementation of behavioral interventions to increase the enterprising tendencies, skills, behaviors and activities of young people in Mongolia. This work provides an opportunity to drive a transformation in the way entrepreneurship is used in addressing development challenges.

UNDP is seeking to appoint a Project Assistant to work as an Intern alongside the Activated2030 Project Team to manage and coordinate all aspects of the  Activated2030: A Youth Enterprising Project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Activated2030 Project Team (UNDP CO Project Focal Point), the Project Assistant will provide support functions to enable the management, coordination and delivery of all aspects of the Activated2030: A Youth Enterprising Project.

A.     Duties and responsibilities

-          Participate in, and contribute to project meetings.

-          Assist with the coordination of the workflow of a multicultural, multidisciplinary team.

-          Provide feedback on the design of messaging, choice architecture and promotional material for the baseline activities, interventions and project.

-          Support the Activated2030 Project Team in the planning and hosting of workshops, activities and events.

-          Contribute to the design and preparation of project communications, including blog posts, stakeholder communications, and project reporting.

-          Undertake basic desktop research and sourcing of information and summarise key points.

-          Assist with the collation of qualitative and quantitative baseline data.

-          Perform other functions as may be assigned by the UNDP CO project focal point consistent with qualifications and experience.

Competencies

Competencies:

·         Excellent written and verbal English and Mongolian language skills are essential;

·         Highly organised person, sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;

·         Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

·         Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner;

·         Ability to maintain overview in complex work situations, self-starter;

·         Ability to think out-of-the-box and works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully;

·         Work well in a team to advance the priorities of this project and UNDP as a whole

·         Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks;

·         Shares knowledge and is willing to provide support to others who request advice or help;

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability, and is committed to UNDP gender equality strategy; and
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassments.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Eligibility

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or

equivalent, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);

(c) 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 research (online and offline) activities;
  • Experience in organising workshops and events;
  • Experience with developing communication materials;
  • Experience with, and confidence working within a multicultural, multidisciplinary team;
  • Experience in using Microsoft Office software package;
  • Demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship or youth economic empowerment;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and the international development community is an asset;
  •  

Conditions

-       UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;

-       All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;

-       UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;

-       The intern is 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 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;

-       The present ToR may be subject to modification, without changing the overall objective and the scope of work, on the basis of mutual consultations.

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 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.
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