SES Intern

Background

UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES) first came into effect 1 January 2015. While an update to the policies was approved in late 2019, it came with a clear mandate to prepare an implementation strategy to ensure strengthened institutional arrangements and capacities for implementation. An Inter-bureau SES Task Force was subsequently established to lead the development of the implementation plan, building on lessons learned from the last five years. Among the key lessons and feedback received was the need for greater and sustained investment in knowledge products on the SES. The SES toolkit is a one-stop shop/website for tools and practical guidance material around the SES. It contains guidance notes and supplemental material for each standard and principle.

UNDP is looking for an intern to work in it’s SES team and support, among other tasks, the roll-out of the SES implementation plan throughout the institution.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key Functions:

• Undertake research and analysis related to the SES.
• Provide support to the SES learning strategy.
• Support the SES implementation plan.
• Contribute to knowledge and learning products.

Research and analysis

• Conduct research into organizational safeguard structure of other IO’s.
• Compile necessary information on SES-related topics.
• Analysis and research on country-level SES challenges and opportunities for collaboration with Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Country Offices (Cos) for capacity building.

SES learning strategy

• Support logistical and thematic aspects related to the “Training-of-Trainers”.
• Identify opportunities for region- and country-specific support.
• Gather feedback from RBx and CO colleagues on SES-related needs and propose training opportunities.

SES implementation plan

• Support the SES Policy Specialist in monitoring the progress of the SES implementation plan.
• Coordinate activities within the SES implementation plan with the Regional SES focal points.

Knowledge and learning products

• Contribute information to be used in knowledge and guidance products.
• Support the quality assurance of knowledge products.

Competencies

• Excellent organizational, planning, and research skills. Attention to detail and proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and under tight deadlines;
• 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

Required Skills and Experience:

Eligibility:

Applicants to UNDP internships must at the time of application meet one of the following academic requirements:

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

Education: 

In addition to meeting the requirement above under eligibility, the preferred fields of study for this internship is in development related field such as global studies, international relations, environment, social development or similar.

Experiences:

• Required:

• Strong international background – studying/working experience abroad is required.
• Sociocultural understanding through studying/working experenice in different cultures and country settings.
• Demonstrated experience delivering projects under tight deadlines with competing commitments, such as demonstrated work experience during a study program.

• Desirable:

• Previous teaching experience would be an asset;
• Demonstrated experience using MS Office.

Language skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Competency in other UN language(s), especially French, is a strong asset.