RBA COST WACA Sahel Intern (In person)

Contract

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

Background

In 2012, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2056 that requested the Secretary-General to develop and implement, in consultation with regional organizations, a United Nations Integrated strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) region encompassing security, governance, development, human rights and humanitarian issues. Pursuant to the resolution, UNISS was developed and launched in 2013 with the aim of reducing the socio-economic vulnerability of the populations in the Sahel region. In 2017, following an internal review of UNISS a United Nations Sahel Support Plan (UNSP) was elaborated to better align UN’s collective support to address the needs and priorities of the people and Governments in the region.

The UN Support Plan (UNSP), which covers the period 2018-2030, serves as a vehicle for articulating and operationalizing the UNISS and the commitments of the UN system and partners in the region. It aligns the UNISS with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In January 2021, the UN Secretary-General appointed USG Abdoulaye Mar Dieye as the Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel to lead collective efforts, including financing, to implement the UNISS and its Support Plan

As the lead of the UN Development System in the Sahel, UNDP developed a specific offer to help regenerate the Sahel from the protracted crises. UNDP’s Offer has three pillars: governance, energy and youth. It prioritizes innovative partnerships with Sahelian, and articulates UNDP’s contribution to UNISS.

To give effect to the overall implementation of the UNDP Sahel offer, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa has augmented its HQ capacity to support the Sahel, by establishing the Sahel team.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Sahel team leader/Advisor, the Intern will perform functions that support the Sahel team. The Intern will embrace a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. S/He will work in close collaboration with COST, other central units at HQ, RBA Units and the Regional Hubs in Addis Ababa, Dakar and Pretoria, in resolving complex programme and operations-related issues. The Intern will provide analytical support to the Sahel team, and in monitoring the implementation of the Sahel Offer.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will perform the following functions:

1.Support the implementation of the UNDP Sahel Offer:

• Support program and policy development in a key thematic area of the Sahel offer with focus on gender and youth;

• Contribute to analysis of regional trends and programmes, maintain datasets, case evidence and research findings to distil relevant lessons learned relative to implementing the Sahel offer and UNDP’s overall engagement in the region.

2. Supporting strategic partnerships, communication, resource mobilization:

• Assist in the development and design of advocacy and communication materials, including contributing to / drafting power-point presentations, speeches, and press releases as well as advocacy strategies for disseminating and raising awareness of key development challenges and opportunities in the Sahel region

• Assist in the development and updating of databases of UNDP interventions in the Sahel region;

• Support the organization of regional and international events on the Sahel in collaboration with key stakeholders within UNDP and other partners in HQ and other locations as required.

• Assist in the maintenance of a database of institutional partners and mapping of potential donors and partners in New York to the Sahel Offer;

3. Enhances innovation and knowledge management;

• Draft project reports, minutes of meetings and terms of reference as required.

• Support the development / monitoring of the regional initiatives pertaining to the Sahel development challenges.

Competencies

General:

• Ability to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills.
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines; and
• Commitment to the UN/DP vision, mission, and strategic goals
• Data mining, analyses and graphic design competencies are highly desirable

Communication Skills:

• Speaks and writes clearly 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; and
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational and unit goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise and willingness to learn from others; and
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to this Internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher in Economics, African Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Development Studies, or other relevant fields); and/or
• Have graduated with a university degree (as described above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of working experience in development, peace-security, and crisis response, preferably within the Africa region.
• Have demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Preferably some relevant experience in international development or related area; Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills are required and experience designing infographics is an advantage.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
• Demonstrated capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, analyzing information accurately and identifying key issues and solutions.
• Knowledge of and exposure to the needs, conditions and problems of sub-Saharan countries is an asset; and
• Demonstrated experience of initiative, client-orientation, working in teams, in complex and time-pressured contexts, field experience in an African country is preferable.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required,
• Knowledge of French is a major asset.

Internship Conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship,
• UNDP offers a modest monthly stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station,
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution,
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship,
• 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,
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan,
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.