Background

Organizational Context

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Project Background: The United Nzations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project aims to enable Sustainable Economic Development, through the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework of the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business & Human Rights (BHR). The project promotes the agenda on BHR by working with governments, businesses and civil society in the implementation of the UNGPs at the national level, through dialogue, training, research, civil society action, awareness raising and capacity building activities. The overall objective of the project is to prevent, mitigate and address human rights abuses in business operations and enable a more level playing field for businesses that demonstrate respect for human rights. In so doing, the action aims to strengthen human rights conditions in business operations and supply chains, facilitating sustainable economic growth while also promoting multilateralism.

Supervisor: Business and Human Rights Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Research Analysis and Programme Support

• Conduct research to develop a blueprint for business and human rights (BHR)/responsible business priorities in India, vis-à-vis uptake and promotion of responsible business practices and sustainability in line with India’s national and international obligations.
• Conduct supervised secondary research on specific topics in the area of sustainability, green economy, just transition and related topics of relevance to the BHR agenda;
• Provide support in writing of project related documents (concept notes, proposals, etc.), and synthesize documents and other relevant knowledge products;
• Identify key areas of intervention for engagement with Private Sector (with particular focus on MSMEs) on decent
• Work, sustainable economic growth, human rights and environmental sustainability and reducing inequalities.
• Identify opportunities for engagement on environment and human rights due diligence tools and processes with the Private Sector in particular MSMEs, sector-wise; and
• Work closely with UN agencies working in India to implement and further responsible business framework.

Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to development of policy briefs, speeches, talking points and background/communications materials and other advocacy activities for strengthening communication and relationship with varied stakeholders on the BHR agenda;
• Proof reading and editing of reports, books, booklets or any other type of publications/communications material;
• Develop and implement the social media strategy for the programme; Initiate and/or assist in submitting best practices, stories and experiences on responsible business practices for wide dissemination through multiple channels;
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations, visual representations, infographics as required;
• Assist in the organization of webinars/conferences/events/forums; and
• Support the team with other relevant tasks.

Engagement with Private Sector, with focus on MSMEs:

• Build networks for UNDP and support work with Industry Associations, national and regional (FISME, CII, FICCI etc.) on Outreach, training, monitoring, reporting and evaluation as well as any other relevant processes; Coordinate and support capacity building efforts (including conceptualization) on responsible and sustainable business practices for private sector including roll-out and implementation including facilitating awareness on national and international policies; and
• Work closely with other UN system-wide coordination groups, industry associations and civil society actors on the agenda.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others and take initiative;
• Proactively works on tasks and delivers under given timelines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

• Currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• Currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme (such as a Master’s programme or higher); or have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a university degree or equivalent studies.
• Field of study: Law, International Development, Human Rights, Social Sciences or equivalent

Skills:

• Has sound knowledge of Microsoft office (Office 365, SharePoint Online)
• Ability to produce high quality documents with quick turnaround time.
• Good team player and ability to adapt to change in work environment.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines and adjust accordingly as new priorities arise.
• Familiarity with use of Canva and other design and data analysis tools.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, while understanding of Hindi is desirable.

Application procedure:

The application should contain: Current and complete CV in English; Details of 3 Academic Referees and recommendation letter from the University Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection: Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in their undergraduate or graduate-level degree programme.

Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carriedout. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance. Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements:

• Interns will be paid stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation orscholarship 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 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 duringthe 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 stationwhere 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 internship.

IMPORTANT: Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosedthat he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, ifthe internship hasstarted, to terminate it without notice or indemnity.