South-South Team Intern

Background

UNDP works in around 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.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China is the China country office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. We provide development advisory services and implement projects through innovation and applying our international experience and network in three pillars: supporting China’s transformation to a low-carbon economy so that more people enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment; facilitating China’s shift to using the SDGs as a standard for its inclusive development, economic decisions and investments, and supporting China’s international cooperation and south-south engagement for SDG attainment.

The internship will be within the UNDP-China Team for the South-South Team of Global Partnership Cluster, which specifically focuses on engaging with China in its cooperation with countries and partners outside of China. Over the past decades, China has been increasingly engaging in international development and cooperating as part of China's wider approach to South-South cooperation - increasingly, this cooperation also involves multilateral development agencies. Here, UNDP has been at the forefront since signing a MoU with China in 2010 to expand the on-going domestic engagement of UNDP in China to also increasingly work together with Chinese institutions as part of China's global engagement. As a result, there are growing interest among general public, research institutes, and media outlets to better understand and get involved in issues related China’s development cooperation, including the role of multilateral organizations in development.

The South-South Team of Global Partnership Cluster of UNDP China office is hiring an intern to provide programme support to both Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) project and National Implementing Management (NIM) programmes/projects and work in close liaison with other teams within the UNDP China office, with international and local partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting in on-going GDF, NIM and other south-south and trilateral cooperation projects, supporting work of Team Leader and Programme Officers, including proposal revising, coordination, communication, data collection, etc.
• Admin support including translation and interpretation, taking meeting minutes, conference booking, workshops preparation, etc.
• Supporting coordination and communication with stakeholders, preparing reports and communication materials.
• Providing other support upon instructions from Team Leader and Programme Officers.

Working onsite is required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems in south-south cooperation area
• Ability to develop sources and conduct data collection using various methods
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, and work under pressure
• Showing pride in work and in achievements
• Showing persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges

Communication:

• Speaking and writing clearly and effectively in both Chinese and English
• Communicating effectively with team members
• Adjusting language, tone, style and format to match the audience
• Demonstrating openness in sharing information and coordination

Teamwork:

• Working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
• Willing to learn from others and positively share ideas

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Experience

Degree in development-related field such as international relations, development studies, sociology, political sciences or environmental studies is desirable.

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Enrolled in a Master's or in a PhD programme
• In the final year of a Bachelor’s programme;
• Or within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme,
• Or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program

Language and Skills

Language skills:

• English and Mandarin Chinese required, particularly reading and writing;
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Skills with PhotoShop or other design/video software would be an advantage.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please submit your application with below documents in one PDF. For people who apply from UNDP Jobs, please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading.

a)     CV and letter of motivation

b)     Copy of school transcript

c)     Indicate if you will be financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, and the financial amount.

*Candidate who didn’t submit required documentation will not be further considered.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan and medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• The stipend will be paid monthly. Interns will have 1.5 days of leave per month.
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed; Cost and arrangement for travel, visas, passports, accommodations and living expenses are the responsibility of the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern.
• Interns must not apply for or be appointed to a position that should be encumbered by a staff number during the period of their internship. Interns are expected to fulfil the terms of their internships. Therefore, the internship must not be foreshortened for the purposes of allowing an intern to apply for a position.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

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