Internship – Social Resilience & Inclusion Portfolio (Youth Research Intern) (Jamaican Residents only)

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to resources, knowledge, and experience to help people build a better life. UNDP is one of the world’s largest multilateral development agencies. It works in some 170 countries and territories to help eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion.

UNDP has been working in Jamaica for over 40 years to support the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development for the Jamaican people. Our work is guided by Jamaica’s National Development Plan-Vision 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and associated Sustainable Development Goals which were adopted by world leaders in 2015. Globally, UNDP’s current programme focuses on the priority areas of Sustainable Development, Democratic Governance and Climate and Disaster Resilience. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights, gender equality and equity and capacity development.

The UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office (MCO) is currently supporting a diverse portfolio of projects in the areas of:

• Sustainable energy,
• Environment/natural resources management
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Localizing the SDGs
• Migration and Development
• Justice Reform
• Human rights and gender equality

These projects are aligned to Jamaica’s development priorities. In addition, UNDP supports several requests from the Government of Jamaica to improve overall capacity. In line with its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026, UNDP will give greater focus to the following areas:

• Social Resilience and Inclusion
• Citizen Safety and Security and the Rule of Law
• Climate Change Resilience
• Sustainable natural resource management

This internship role will offer support to the Social Resilience Portfolio. The Social Resilience Portfolio includes a suite of UNDP projects and initiatives which fall under the following categories:

(i) Social Cohesion and Community Security

(ii) Social Protection and Human Rights

(iii) Health and HIV.

(iv) Food Security

(v) Youth Engagement

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst – Social Resilience & Inclusion Portfolio, the Intern will be providing support for the following tasks:

Project Support -Youth Research

• Conduct desk review and research on programmes and studies relevant to youth engagement;
• Develop document highlighting national priorities relating to youth;
• Explore and develop programmatic avenues for youth engagement;
• Conduct stakeholder mapping of both public and private sectors groups;
• Support the coordination and handling of projects, partnerships and engagements;
• Support the development of new engagement opportunities;
• Maintain calendar/schedules; monitors changes and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit;
• Perform a variety of administrative duties on an as-needed basis;
• Other relevant programmatic tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Support to Programme Implementation

• Contribute to day-to-day support to programme/project implementation as needed
• Support logistic arrangements for meetings, workshops, engagements with stakeholders
• Support consultation processes with UNDP Teams, national partners and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate to support project implementation.
• Assist in project implementation and monitoring, including participation in field visits.
• Draft programmatic correspondence and documents as requested.
• Support and assist with other tasks when needed.

The hybrid (in person and home-based) assignment will be conducted full-time (40 hours per week) from July 2022 to December 2022 at the UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office.

Competencies

• Strong organizational, time management and communication skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently and with a team, against tight deadlines
• Effective verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations.
• Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with local community, stakeholders and colleagues of various origins.
• Proven research, presentation, reporting and writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong service and team-work orientation, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a fast-paced multi-national environment
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning
• Commitment to UNDP vision, mission and values and knowledge of UN work environment an advantage
• Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Creative thinking ability
• Takes initiative, under minimal supervision

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• The Intern must have studies in field of Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations or other related areas and must meet one of the following requirements;

1. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
2. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

Experience

• Experience with Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel and others) as well as experience in handling web-based applications

Language:

• Fluent in written and oral communication skills in English; competency in other UN languages is a strong asset.

Working arrangements

• As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• 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. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• 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.
• The purpose of the internship 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.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract.

The interns will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop. Internet access and printing facilities will be available at UNDP during the internship.