Background

A collision of crises is impacting the future of development. Crises are becoming increasingly protracted and cyclical, and despite the multidimensional requirements of the response, these crises are being primarily responded to via humanitarian action. There is widespread recognition though that ultimately development emergencies requiring integrated development solutions. In the face of this significant disruption humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) actors are striving to meet ever-growing need and vulnerability through a so-called nexus approach.

The Crisis Bureau (CB) is galvanizing UNDP’s efforts to support countries to build resilience by strengthening capacities to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from the impacts of crises and shocks on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts are geared towards reducing countries’ reliance on external humanitarian relief and peace interventions, while risk-informing development planning and decision-making to minimize creation of new risks. UNDP seeks to ensure that development perspectives are introduced as early as possible in response and recovery cycles, including approaching recovery as an opportunity to reset development practices onto more resilient, green and equitable pathways.

In mid-2021, UNDP was entrusted by the bilateral partners who have adhered to the OECD-DAC Recommendation on the HDP Nexus to create a training programme on the HDP Nexus approach. UNDP created the Nexus Academy as an “common good” to foster learning and collaboration among bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental HDP actors and to operationalize the nexus approach on the ground. While the Nexus Academy is primarily designed for a multi-stakeholder audience, the Nexus Academy has also developed an internal UNDP training course on the Nexus approach – fully incorporated into the UNDP Crisis Academy architecture – to build skills among UNDP personnel assigned or deployed to crisis contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Nexus Academy Manager, and in support of the Nexus Academy team, the intern will have the following duties and responsibilities_

1. Assist in all activities related to the preparation, rollout and follow up of/from the Nexus Academy trainings

• Provide substantive inputs into the overall curriculum of the Nexus Academy;

• Contribute to the collection and design of the training modules and exercises from both a substantive and learning perspective;

• Assist in identifying and reaching out to experts and other resource people on key HDP Nexus topics to secure their involvement with the Academy;

• Providing technical support to all course participants in accessing the Nexus Academy resources (including the Nexus Academy campus) and ensuring their smooth participation in the training modules;

• Provide technical support on the delivery of the modules including the use of online tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Zoom, Mural, Slido;

• Compile and analyze the post-module and post-training surveys to ensure that main points are captured for relaying to the Crisis Academy and Nexus Academy Steering Committee.

2. Facilitate the engagement and mobilization of the Nexus and Crisis Academy community

• Support the management the online platform (the Nexus Academy classroom), ensuring that course materials for each module is ready for the delivery as per the developed learning methodology;

• Assist in identifying gaps in nexus-related reports, evaluations, studies, case studies, project documents, academic papers that need to be collected and put to the disposal of the Nexus Academy classroom. Ensure that these reports are also available through the Nexus Academy repository currently being developed;

• Assist in engaging with the Nexus Academy community, on Microsoft Teams and the SharePoint platform – including through supporting the Open Houses on nexus topics;

• Provide ad hoc support to UNDP’s Crisis Academy and its other learning programmes on Stabilization, Recovery and Prevention. This may include supporting their training cohorts, or background preparatory support as needed.

Competencies

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills

• Good research skills and ability to consolidate and present large amounts of information in concise fashion

• Good knowledge management skills to ensure that information remains relevant and accurate

• Proficiency in data entry, organization, and management using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or data management software. Basic knowledge in PowerBI is an asset.

• Solid organizational, time management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required

Personal Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback

• Works collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners

• Positive and results-oriented attitude

• Proactive attitude in seeking out new information, improving processes, and suggesting ways to enhance knowledge management and data collection activities

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 Master’s degree; or

• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies; or

• enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Field of study: All academic backgrounds welcome, but priority will be given to candidates with Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Economics, Political Science, Communications, or related field or equivalent.

Work Experience & Desired Skillset

• Practical experience in supporting the organization and delivering of virtual and/or in-person trainings with various stakeholders is desirable;

• Experience using computer and MS Office skills, as well as skills in online communication tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Zoom, Mural, Slido);

• Demonstrated knowledge of and/or experience with basic concepts of international aid – in the fields of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding strategies, processes and structures;

• Experience in knowledge management practices, especially online and/or live knowledge management portals;

• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant to differing opinions and views.

Language skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English required. Fluency in French is desirable.

• Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will provide a stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;

• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;

• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;

• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;

• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;

• Intern will provide their own IT equipment (Computer)

VII. Application procedure
The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;

• Current and complete CV in English;

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents prior to the interview:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme;

• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location from where the internship will be carried out. Selected interns must have medical and life insurance.

UNDP/UNCDF only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
UNDP/UNCDF accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP/UNCDF in any official capacity.

Subsequent Employment

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF/UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

More information is available at: http://www.undp.org/internships