Internship – UNDP Regional Hub, Amman Office Governance and Peacebuilding Team/Remote Internship (homebased)

Contract

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

Background

UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to innovative global perspectives and advocacy. As one of its main priority areas in contributing to the achievement of the SDGS, UNDP focuses on rule of law, security, and human rights. Working primarily in conflict affected and fragile states, UNDP provides support to strengthen the culture of rule of law and respect for human rights.

The Regional Bureau for Arab States, which cover 17 country offices and one office located in the occupied Palestinian territory, work closely with governments, private sector, and civil society to enhance the impact and work of UNDP regionally. As a part of the Regional Bureau, located in Amman, Jordan, the Governance and Peacebuilding team provides technical assistance, programming, and policy advice to the needs and priorities of its country offices and to regional projects and initiatives to ensure quality programming in the areas of conflict prevention and peacebuilding, inclusive and democratic governance, human mobility, rule of law, security and human rights, state building and public sector reform and local governance.

The Arab region continues to witness major conflicts driven by multiple root causes related to governance crisis and political legitimacy, economic challenges, social drivers, climate security and, recently, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Conflicts and violence in the region continue to be the most challenging factor that is hampering progress on human and economic development, including in the form of education, health, quality of life, freedoms, rule of law and access to justice, gender equality, and climate security.

The Rule of Law and Human Rights Intern will be a part of the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights (RoLSHR) Unit within the Governance and Peacebuilding Team and reporting to the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist. He/she will be working to support the team in ensuring quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within the region.

The applicant will have professional and/or academic experience in rule of law (e.g., justice) and human rights issues and have a general understanding of rule of law from a development perspective. Preferably, the applicant will have experience in related thematic areas, such as business and human rights, gender justice, environmental justice, and human security.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist, and working in collaboration with other colleagues in the Regional Hub and Global RoLSHR Team as needed, the Intern will:

• Provide research support in the field of the rule of law, human rights and justice.
• Draft and edit reports, thematic papers, concept notes and background information notes.
• Draft communication products (infographics, social media messages, leaflets), as well as issue briefs and short policy pieces.
• Support the virtual organization of meetings and online events involving UNDP staff and external practitioners (e.g., conferences, workshops, launch events for publications, internal presentations).
• Support the organization of the partner's engagement and outreach events and initiatives (e.g., webinars, podcasts, talks etc.) and related follow up.

Competencies

• Willingness to learn and provide innovative ideas and input on a variety of thematic areas.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication, and diplomatic skills.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

Legal studies, human rights, international relations, social sciences, public policy, or related disciplines.

Experience:

Demonstrated strong interest and academic background in the areas of rule of law, human rights, and related justice issues.

• Familiarity with the rule of law and human rights challenges in the Arab States region is an advantage.
• Experience in research on rule of law and human rights issues is considered an asset.
• Professional and/or academic experience or interest in business and human rights, environmental justice and gender equality is an advantage.

Eligibility: Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Language skills:

• Proficiency in English, with excellent writing skills is necessary.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or French would be a strong advantage.