Internship Paid (ECONOMICS)

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDPs role as an integrator has become even more important now during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Ensuring that the country office has up-to date community analysis during this period is necessary for delivering effective measures to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19 and for safeguarding the progress that has been made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) thus far. The successful postgraduate economic intern under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, shall provide socio-economic analysis support to the UNDP Namibia country office.

Are you interested in socio-economic development in Namibia and would like to gain practical experience to complement your postgraduate studies? UNDP Namibia Country Office (CO) is currently looking for an independent and self-motivating intern with post-graduate qualifications in economics to support the Country Office’s work across multiple programme areas.  UNDP partners with government, organisations and people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

·        Sustainable development

·        Democratic governance and peacebuilding

·        Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

 INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

UNDP Namibia, Country Office (CO) is re-focusing its efforts to support innovation, knowledge management and an evidence-based approach to enhance UNDP’s leadership as a thought leader in sustainable human development.  To respond effectively to the corporate UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and the National Development Plan (NDP 5) priorities, the CO, seeks to enhance development effectiveness by improving systems, tools and mechanisms for national policy and strategy planning, analysis, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, especially in regards to the impact of Covid-19 and supporting Namibia on the road to recovery.  Importantly, the CO is moving to strengthen its research and analytical capacity to provide strategic policy advisory services and buffer the upstream engagement of UNDP to accelerate the achievement of SDGs.

Scope of Work

UNDP’s country programme in Namibia is structured around the themes of Poverty and Environment, with gender and governance as cross cutting themes. The CO Strategic Analysis Unit (SAU), headed by the Economics Advisor, provides strategic advice to the UNDP management and programme team on issues relating to national planning and implementation of the global and regional agenda, Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 respectively as they affect human development outcomes. SAU also assists Government counterparts by facilitating knowledge building on development issues. The main functions are: Policy Advisory Services, Research, Advocacy and Capacity development.

a) Policy Advice: Deliver high quality policy and technical advice to the RR,  and the government on sustainable socio-economic development. This includes evidence-based support to national and sectoral planning processes both within the government and the UN,

b) Research: Carry out quality and credible policy research to generate knowledge and application. This will entail rigorous application of social science research methods, detailed presentation of results, and production of policy notes, and poverty reporting,

c)  Advocacy: Undertake advocacy on global developmental issues, knowledge products including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human Development Reports (HDRs), Africa Human Development Report (AFHDR) and National Human Development Report (NHDR) to influence policy. This will entail making specific policy recommendations, publicize, and seek access to decision-makers; and

d) Capacity development: Strengthening institutional capacity for policy reform through training for UNDP and Government on economic issues, policy analysis, development planning, development monitoring, macroeconomic analysis and transformational change for leadership in policy reform.

For purposes of the research component, the services of the postgraduate intern is required. Under the guidance of the Economics Advisor and overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the interns will assist in data collection and information gathering to support ongoing and proposed socio-economic research, policy/strategy development and people-centered sustainable development solutions. While supporting the SAU, the Interns will gain valuable insight into the working of the UN system as well as build his/her capacity for future work opportunities.

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Research and Analysis

• Contribute substantial input to development of, research questions, concept notes, and field research.
• Conduct desk reviews and primary research including interviews with a variety of actors (government, NGOs, CSOs, youth groups, etc.), using a full range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques as appropriate.
• Help to develop and coordinate research dissemination and follow-up activities, including data management and dashboards

Policy Briefs/Knowledge Products

• Assist in authoring research reports, briefing notes, policy papers, and other materials as required.
• Provide insights into the findings of field research, using substantial local knowledge (political, institutional, cultural, etc.)
• Identify possible areas for partnership with local organizations, universities, research institutions, etc.;

Other:

• Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization.
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set.
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently.
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• currently enrolled in a post-graduate academic programme; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a post-graduate programme or equivalent studies.
• Field of study: Economics and/or Statistics and social sciences. Development Economics would be an advantage.

Experience:

• No work experience necessary but must be eager and proactive;
• 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;
• Understanding of and familiarity with the SDGs, Human Development Report (HDR) and other economic policies related to social development would be advantageous.

Language skills:

• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will provide a stipend in the amount of N$3,588.56 monthly in accordance with the    provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
• Interns are 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 must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, accommodation, etc.