Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for UNDP’s external relations and advocacy functions. BERA leads and supports the organization in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential for successfully achieving the mission of UNDP. These relationships include a range of constituencies and development partners, related to resource mobilization and donor relations, intergovernmental affairs with member states, multilateral institutions, IFIs, the European Commission, private sector, foundations, UN system entities and UN inter-governmental bodies.

BERA is positioned around three service lines, moving towards an audience orientation, namely, Public Partners Partnerships, Marketing and Communications, and Private and Finance partners, each guided by the Directorate and supported by the Management Support and Strategy and Analytics Teams. BERA has a network of Regional External Relations Teams in five hubs co-led with Regional Bureaux and Representation Offices in Europe, Japan, Qatar, the US, namely, Bonn, Brussels, Copenhagen, Doha, Geneva, Tokyo and Washington D.C., which manage and strengthen relationships with Public and Private Partners in country and help build a strong brand for UNDP within the local ecosystem including UN partnerships.

The Partnerships Group (PG) leads UNDP’s corporate approach to external relations, advocating its brand and value as a global authority on sustainable development and a trusted partner for delivering the SDGs. PG facilitates engagement with partners in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan, coordinates strategic and multi-stakeholder partnerships, and advises on strategies, intelligence gathering, and donor engagement. It provides guidance on UN system-wide coherence, represents UNDP in intergovernmental fora, and cultivates relationships with member states for positioning and fundraising, while monitoring funding performance and supporting engagement with international financial institutions and civil society organizations. The Group consists of six teams: UN System Affairs, Partnerships Portfolio Management, Performance and Analysis Portfolio, Partnerships with Philanthropy, New Strategic Partnerships and Japan Unit.

Japan Unit is committed to strengthening partnerships with Japan (the public and private sectors and civil society organizations in Japan) by playing a coordination and facilitation role within UNDP and between UNDP and Japan. Japan Unit, with close collaboration with the UNDP Representative Office in Tokyo, undertakes a wide range of activities including support for resource mobilization and management of Japan’s financial contributions to UNDP’s programmes/projects.Japan Unit also strengthens multi-bi cooperation with Japanese development partners (mainly the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Japan Unit staff, the intern’s main output would be to assist in compilation process of proposal submission from UNDP regional hubs and country offices for the Japan-funded projects. The intern will also assist analytical work and visualization of Japan’s funding trend, as well as meeting logistics and other activities to be undertaken by the Unit. The intern will support other BERA partnership group activities, if required, in addition to other tasks with prior consultation with and approval by the supervisor.

1. Operational and administrative support

• Assist the team in updating the status of projects funded through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund by liaising with relevant UNDP Units and Country Offices and collecting necessary documents including progress, final and financial reports, and updating the project list.
• Assist the team in submission of required documents and information to the Government of Japan such as Financial Agreements, letters, project proposals, project lists for refund and confirmation of receipts etc.
• Conduct research and stakeholder mapping on Japan’s funding trend, with focus on thematic areas such as climate change, SDGs, responsible industrial development, and human rights due diligence, including analysis of public-private initiatives and sustainable supply chains.
• Analyze procurement-related systems, guidelines, and market trends to identify opportunities for increasing private sector participation in UNDP projects. Prepare briefing materials and reports based on findings.
• Provide logistical and operational support for procurement participation promotion activities, including seminars, workshops, and outreach events.
• Provide logistical support for events, consultation and workshops that the Japan Unit will organize.
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

2. Data compilation and communication

• Input and maintain the database on the projects funded by Japan.
• Support the creation of visual and analytical content for donor presentation and knowledge products, utilizing tools such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Power BI. Apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills to improve reporting and outreach. 
• Assist the team in translating UNDP messages, press releases and other publications.
• Contribute to inclusive partnership building and outreach efforts with Japanese stakeholders, including academic institutions and civil society, leveraging experience in awareness-raising campaigns and educational initiatives.

The intern is also expected to learn about Japan’s ODA funding schemes to the various partnerships between UNDP and Japan.

Outputs/ Deliverables/ Reporting Requirements 

• Partner-specific research conducted to feed into policy papers, strategic notes and other relevant internal documents.
• Communications and knowledge management products developed, updated and maintained. 
• Analytical reports and briefing materials on procurement systems, guidelines, and private sector trends prepared to support strategies for increasing corporate participation in UNDP procurement processes.
• Documentation and logistical support delivered for procurement participation promotion activities, including seminars, workshops, and outreach events.
• Visual and analytical content created for presentations and knowledge products related to procurement engagement and Japan’s funding trends.

Competencies

1. Interest in Japan’s ODA, work of the UN (of UNDP in particular) and a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter
2. Demonstrated understanding of sustainable development policies, particularly related to climate resilience, responsible business, and human rights due diligence in supply chains.
3. Experience working in multi-stakeholder settings, including government, academia, and private sector actors, with strong facilitation and communication skills.
4. Experience in organizing or contributing to public engagement initiatives and awareness campaigns, including SDG-focused education or outreach events.
5. Energetic self-starter with multi-tasking abilities and discipline with deadlines
6. Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
7. Ability to work with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, and Zoom
8. Experience with online analytical tools, including Microsoft Power BI is desirable
9. Excellent analytical skills
10. Fluency in Japanese and English necessary (both languages are must)
11. Detail oriented

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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. Candidate is also preferred to have been enrolled in a Master’s level program in international development or business administration. Background or strong academic training in public policy, development practice, or sustainability, including knowledge of SDG implementation and ESG frameworks, is highly desireable,

Experience:

1. While no professional experience is necessary, excellent computer capabilities are required.  Experience and/or knowledge of data analysis, including familiarity with data cleaning, impact evaluation, and use of visualization tools such as Power BI or R  is an asset.
2. Knowledge in development-related areas, multi-stakeholder engagement, international or multilateral organizations.
3. Prior relevant experience is an asset, including experience in drafting meeting notes and reports, as well as organizing meetings and collaborative events. 
4. Experience in the private sector is considered an advantage, particularly if the candidate has participated in, or prepared for, bidding processes for procurement opportunities implemented by international organizations.

Language:

Fluency in English and Japanese (both written and oral). Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

UNDP may accept interns provided the following conditions are met:

• Interns may be given a modest monthly stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or a third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend. 
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government, or institution.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. 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, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• Expected to be available part-time at least for 1.5 months. Office space is available as needed.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract and due recognition of work will be issued in writing.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:

• Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae.
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date.
• Letter of recommendation from a professor.
• Copy of her/his school transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Completed UNDP internship application form.
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Proof of medical insurance.
• A copy of US Visa if the intern is not a US Citizen (only if candidate is currently based in the US and office-based
• 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.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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