Internship - ZEESM Project (National)

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) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion.

Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to universality, equality, and leaving no one behind, the UNDP supports countries’ efforts to strengthen frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change.

The constitution RDTL provides special status to Oé-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2), and a law on Oé-Cusse has recently been passed by the National Parliament.

UNDP has provided policy advice to the SAR-ZEESM Office since its establishment. It has developed a program to help the ZEESM establish and operationalize institutional and developmental structures and systems in different areas, including tourism, agriculture, and water systems. In 2022, the Government of SAR and ZEESM- known as RAEOA - expressed its desire to continue UNDP support throughout the implementation of the Support for Institutional and Sustainable Development of Oé-Cusse Special Administrative Region and the Special Zone of Social Market Economy project –Phase III (2022-2025).

The project aims to create sustainable economic opportunities, promote resilience to climate change, and ensure quality public services by working on three key components; I) Livelihood and Economic Diversification, II) Clean and Safe Water and Forest Management, and III) Effective and Accountable Governance. The intern will work under the direction of the Admin & Finance officer and Project Manager in UNDP’s office in Dili.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project/Programme Intern will perform the following duties:

• Assist with administrative tasks related to the project(s) management regarding logistical support and inventory, ensuring proper asset management is performed.
• Assist in processing Payments, travel requests, Claims, or any other financial entitlement duly processed.
• Assist in the preparation of process, monitor, liquidate petty cash and leave management.
• Support the preparation of meetings, training, conferences, etc., including organizing and promoting learning events
• Support program/project implementation

The position is flexible in focus and can be tailored to focus on the successful candidate’s area of interest, such as gender equality/gender mainstreaming, human rights, justice, sustainable tourism, etc.

Additional responsibilities of all interns:

• Participate in training related to their area of work
• Contribute to sharing of lessons learned and knowledge with relevant project and country office staff
• Participate in project meetings with beneficiaries, donors, and/or vendors as appropriate
• Contribute to a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and positive working environment
• Support project/program by taking meeting and interview minutes when required.

This is an ideal opportunity for a young professional eager to learn, work in a fast-paced environment, and gain experience from the UN system. The internship position will allow for ample learning opportunities from other members of staff as well as from training opportunities.

Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge applicable or transferrable to UNDP’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply sound judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where an appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept broad responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Planning and organizing: practical organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

The applicant should also be genuinely committed to the vision and mission of UNDP and the UN Core Values.

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP internship program must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (such as a master’s program or higher); please provide an area of study.

b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent); please provide an area of study.

c) 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;

d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Stipends:

• Interns may be given a stipend under the conditions prescribed in the section on stipends below. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation, and living expenses are the intern’s responsibility.
• Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or program, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship program, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• 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 will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.

Insurance :

• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health before starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the intern’s responsibility.
• Selected internship candidates must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station where they will intern. For applicants that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration, which:

a) Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;

b) Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remaining to the home country or country of residence.