Intern

Background

Background:

Present in 166 countries and territories, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports governments in developing strong policies, institutions and partnerships to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It does so in part through its comprehensive knowledge network, which includes expert practitioners that provide focused advice and support in strategic policy areas.

UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. The GPN assists UNDP and its partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. The GPN also supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data-driven, including in its programme support efforts.Within the GPN, the Effectiveness Group provides crucial support to ensure that UNDP is an effective, accountable and transparent thought leader and partner of choice for sustainable development. Through support to the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) and International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), the Effectiveness Group fosters multi-stakeholder actions for more effective cooperation and partnerships, including strengthening policies, institutions and systems, as well as cultivating strategic partnerships to make the best use of all available resources to realise national development goals. Drawing on the comparative advantages of UNDP in strengthening country capacities to manage and coordinate development cooperation, the Effectiveness Group supports the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, as part of the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team, as well as the International Aid Transparency Initiative, as part of a wider Secretariat consortium.

UNDP’s work in this area is guided by principles of effective development cooperation and supports global policy dialogue and mutual learning on effective development cooperation, helping increase the availability of transparent data on development cooperation, while supporting countries in implementing and monitoring the effective development cooperation principles. In addition, cultivating networks of partners and development practitioners is another key element of UNDP’s support to the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation and the International Aid Transparency Initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Under the overall supervision and guidance of Global Policy Adviser and working day-to-day reporting tovarious team members leading on different substantive issues, the interns will focus on the following: 

Policy Research and Analysis (30%): 

• Under the direct supervision of senior team members, research trends in development effectiveness / co-operation and identify linkages / key areas of support for UNDP's work in advancing the global development effectiveness agenda. This includes specific support to the ongoing development of the GPEDC’s new Work Programme  (see previous Work Programme here for reference); and
• Under the direct supervision of senior team members, contribute to policy research and development of policy / practice products such as issue briefs, discussions papers, country stories, blog posts and practice notes etc. 

Knowledge Management and Communication (50%): 

• For internal knowledgeme management purposes, support the mapping of key partners (government and UNDP CO) and the development of a master list with contacts and context on partner countries’ engagement with the GPEDC   ; andAct as the day-to-day focal point for an online community of practice / knowledge-sharing platform for effective development cooperation practitioners, including through day-to-day management, outreach, synthesis of knowledge / lessons learned, etc.
• Support social media account management and implementation of the 2020 GPEDC communication strategy, including drafting of newsletter, stories of progress, social media content, etc.  

Logistical / Event Support (20%) 

• Provide logistical support to various events organized under the auspices of the Global Partnership, including international workshops, side events and Steering Committee meetings, among others.

Competencies

Competencies: 

• Excellent organizational, event planning, and time management skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and under tight deadlines;
• Proven research and writing skills, with track record in producing development research and other materials;
• Strong service and team-work orientation; evident cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a fast-paced multi-national environment;
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning; and

Commitment to UNDP vision, mission, and values and knowledge of UN work environment an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

Education:

• Enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme in a development related field such as economics, public administration, public policy, or international relations/international development studies.

Experience:

• Previous experience in research and policy development, communications, advocacy, is an asset, and experience in developing countries is desirable.
• Knowledge of, or direct experience working with effective development co-operation issues, the GPEDC or IATI is an asset.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English - competency in other UN language(s), especially French and/or Spanish, is a strongasset.

IT skils:

Strong online research skills and good knowledge of the Microsoft Office Package. Skills in graphic design and video production as well as advanced excel and data base management skills in particular are considered an asset.  

Working arrangements

UNDP will provide a monthly stipend, office space, access to internet and a printer during the assignment. The interns will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop.