Internship – UNDP Regional Hub, Amman Office- Regional Electoral Support for MENA

Contract

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

Background

UNDP is the main provider of electoral assistance within the United Nations framework, providing technical assistance to member states through global, regional and national programmes. In the Arab States region, UNDP”s electoral assistance is provided through the ‘Regional Electoral Support Project for the Middle East and North Africa Phase II’, situated within the framework of the global ‘Governance for People and Planet project (G4PP)’ under the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS).

The project's overall goal is to contribute to democracy strengthening in the Arab region through promoting inclusive participation, strengthening electoral institutions and processes, and creating space for engagement between institutions and civil society. Recognizing that it is the operation of governance systems (or ecosystems) that determine development outcomes, the project adopts an integrated approach that contributes to three inter-connected Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets relating to effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (SDG 16), protection of rights and access to information (SDG 16), and equitable inclusion and non-discrimination (SDGs 5, 10 and 16).

The intern will support the project in the implementation of different activities and policy support. This will include the preparation of background research and analysis and assist in preparing and drafting documents that will support UNDP policy and programming in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be based in the UNDP Regional Hub in Amman office. Responsibilities may include but will not be limited to the following:

Assist in Policy and Strategy Advice and Development:

• Prepare policy briefs, status papers on development challenges based on desk review studies and analysis for evidence based advocacy and policy development in the field elections.
• Assist in the development of new or ongoing initiatives, including review of policy literature with respect to the subject to enhance UNDP programming in the field of elections and inclusive participation within the Arab Region;
• Document good practices, cases studies, innovations and pilot models for broader dissemination and sharing;

Project Design, formulation and other project related functions:

• Prepare concept notes on new areas of work or development challenges;
• Assist in the development of technical support in the development of new interventions or projects;
• Prepare and review project documents;

Knowledge Management and Communication:

• Prepare knowledge and communication products related to the project in general and eMonitor+ work in specific.
• Review knowledge products (subject, design, and content);
• Disseminate knowledge and communication products;

Research and Data Management:

• Undertake research on relevant initiatives in areas of interest;
• Conduct data collection and analyze data collected
• Conduct desk reviews of existing research and literature on specific areas.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Research experience;
• Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region;

Professionalism:

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Shows pride in work and in achievement;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, especially governance and peacebuilding;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating the perspective of youth and ensuring the equal participation of young people as in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honor commitments;
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve program or services;
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
• Thinks “outside the box”;
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
• Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology;
• Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements under law, international relations, political science, development, or other relevant subjects is required.

• Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
• currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree; or
• currently enrolled in a master’s degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a master’s degree or equivalent studies

Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team;
• Good command of information and communication technology;

Languages:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Arabic, French and Spanish language skills would be an asset but not necessary for the assignment.

Stipend

• Where an intern is engaged in-person and 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 an in-person internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
• Where an intern is engaged remotely and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme, a remote stipend intended to help cover expenses related to the internship, such as internet connections or other means to remain in contact with the receiving office, must be paid by the receiving office.
• The monthly amount of the stipend for remote internships will be based on a standard global rate applicable for all remote internships. The amount of the stipend for in-person internships will be set for each duty station. The monthly stipend rates of both remote and in-person internships will be published annually by the Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Human Resources (BMS/OHR). The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and will be pro-rated for part-time internship arrangements.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, Government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, Government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
• No other payments of any kind, or advance on the stipend due, will be made to an intern by the receiving office in connection with an internship agreement, except for any reimbursements made to an intern under paragraph 33 of the present policy.
• Interns will accrue combined sick and annual leave at the rate of 1 ½ days per month, which will be prorated to the nearest half day for part-time internships. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days or as prorated for part-time internships, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.