Economist Intern
Contract
This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.
Background
The UN Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country Team in China, including all the UN entities present in China, and represents the UN Secretary General to the Government of China. The purpose of the Resident Coordinator system (RC system) is to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level, helping the UN to be a more relevant and reliable partner for governments.
The UN Resident Coordinators Office (RCO) supports the roles and functions of the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team. The RCO provides inter-agency coordination support to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and its various inter-agency working mechanisms, including theme groups. Key functions of the RCO include: strategic analysis, planning and positioning of the Country Team; preparation and monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); support to joint UN programming and operations management; policy guidance; joint advocacy and communications (e.g. the management of the UN China website and production of joint communications materials), in order to enhance UN coherence and improve overall program impact of the UN System in China. The RCO is looking for a motivated intern to join the team remotely on a full-time basis and contribute to economics-related work of the office.
The internship will provide the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to learn about how the UN system operates at the country level. Among others, the intern will: learn about the functions and roles of a wide range of UN agencies; gain knowledge and insight into the emerging socioeconomic and sustainability issues in China and globally; and become familiar with how the UN interacts with stakeholders in dealing with these issues.
Both international and national candidates will be welcomed, but preferences will be given to international candidates (native English speakers) who can join the team remotely.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, the direct supervision of the Economist of the RCO, and in close collaboration with RCO colleagues, the intern will:
• Support the Economist team to compile, collate and analyze economic data, in particular on socio-economic policies, poverty reduction, environment and development cooperation related topics.
• Support compilation, analysis, and interpretation of knowledge products, providing thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country.
• Support the compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, background information and documentation as well as drafting of talking points and speeches for meetings, events and missions.
• A.O.B as assigned.
The internship is full-time, he/she will work five days per week (40 hours) remotely.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the common UN system;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
• Ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
• Sound research, writing and data management skills;
• Excellent drafting skills in English;
• Resourcefulness, initiative, and mature judgement;
• Responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to provide high quality policy notes, briefs on thematic topics;
• Strong teamwork skills;
• Knowledge of the UN system and its mandate would be considered an asset;
• Fluency in English.
Required Skills and Experience
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in economics, international development studies, international relations, social sciences, political science, law, management, or other relevant fields.
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
Excellent written and spoken English language.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please submit your application with below documents in one PDF. For people who apply from the UNDP Jobs website, 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 RCO in any official capacity.