Internship - Inclusive Growth Associates (Six Internship Positions)

Addis Ababa

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Addis Ababa
Grade: IN
Occupational Groups:
- Poverty Reduction
- Disability Rights
- Sustainable Growth and Growth hacking
Closing Date: 2025-05-14

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories supporting partner countries to achieve the eradication of poverty, the reduction of inequalities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, UNDP supports partner countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and building resilience to sustain development results.

UNDP's Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (serving 46 Country Offices in sub-Saharan Africa), develops high quality knowledge and policy products, and is the organisation’s main interface with regional and continental bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The RSCA also implements a newly launched, continent-wide Regional Programme supporting Africa’s transformational agenda in the following priority areas, namely:

Priority 1 – People. African citizens (especially women and youth), in a context of reinvigorated social contracts, have a stronger voice and influence in African Union, regional economic communities and regional mechanisms policymaking and implementation processes.
Priority 2 – Prosperity. African citizens (especially women and youth) benefit from a regionally integrated, structurally transformed, and inclusive economy.
Priority 3 – Planet. African citizens (especially women and youth), supported by the African Union and regional economic communities and regional mechanisms, build a resilient Africa.
Priority 4 – Peace. African citizens (especially women and youth), supported by the African Union and regional economic communities and regional mechanisms, achieve measurable progress towards sustainable peace.

The Regional Programme for Africa is firmly aligned with addressing the multidimensional challenges faced with a strong emphasis on the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities by accelerating the structural transformation of economies from agriculture-based to manufacturing and beyond. Furthermore, increasingly in the evolving aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a much stronger focus on building resilience to multidimensional shocks is also an important priority in Africa. These priorities are being strongly integrated into the focus areas of the UNDP RSCA Inclusive Growth (IG) Team, which, under priority 2 above, increasingly supports regional development that is inclusive and transformational, but also sustainable and resilient in eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities over time.

More specifically - under the umbrella of the African Agenda 2063 and UN SDGs 2030 - the IG team’s main thrust is to support African countries to align and integrate these global and continental agendas for sustainable development into their respective National Development Plans. The UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-25, Renewed Strategic Offer for Africa, and Regional Programme for Africa emphasize the need for stronger collaboration within UNDP RSCA. As a result, the Inclusive Growth (IG) team must work more closely with other thematic teams, including Gender, Youth, Natural Capital and Environment, Private Sector, Governance, and Resilience.

This collaboration aims to deliver a more integrated package of services, covering policy and programme development, assessments, tools and evidence, and capacity-building support. The focus areas include employment creation, informality, social protection, structural economic transformation, SDG integration, and regional trade under AfCFTA. In addition to its role as the provider of advisory services to partner countries, the IG Team continues to implement regional initiatives through the Regional Programme for Africa.

Against this background, the IG team is currently looking to recruit up to 6 Associates to support the work of the IG Team along the following overarching thematic areas, and offers each Associate a chance for deeper investigation in one of the three following areas:

1. The AUC/UNDP Inclusive Blue Economy Flagship: These positions will allow the select candidate to support the AUC/UNDP flagship programme aimed at unlocking Africa's Blue Economy potential through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This position presents a remarkable chance for candidates who are passionate about sustainable development, environmental conservation, and inclusive growth. As an Associate, you will be immersed in a dynamic environment where you will contribute to critical aspects of the programme, including research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and the design of innovative communication products. This role is ideal for individuals who are eager to learn about and contribute to the intersection of environmental sustainability, social-economic inclusivity, growth and trade within the context of Africa's vast aquatic resources.

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Integration and Acceleration: These positions will allow the select candidate to work under the overarching theme of enabling Member States to integrate the SDGs and related international and regional commitments into their relevant plans, budgets and statistics to accelerate progress. The work will be more specifically defined in the on-boarding stage but will likely entail a collection of local and country-level data on the SDGs and analysing local development plans. It will also likely involve directly engaging and working with the Africa Union, the Regional Economic Communities, Countries and localities from time to time.

3. Social Protection and Inclusive Growth: These positions will allow the selected candidate to support UNDP’s regional social protection efforts, including programming and policy advocacy. The Associate will play a key role in accelerating social protection adoption across COs under the themes of community based social protection, climate change, disability inclusion, socioeconomic resilience and more. Research, policy analysis, programme support, and communications are desired skills, as this team aims to generate data-driven evidence and entry points for how social protection can play a more significant role in advancing inclusive growth, economic resilience, and community participation in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Inclusive Growth Team leads on SDG integration, Local Economic Development and Coordinator – AUC/UNDP Inclusive Blue Economy Programme, and the Inclusive Growth Analyst the Associates will undertake the following tasks to support one of the three thematic areas (of their preference) :

1. The AUC/UNDP Inclusive Blue Economy Flagship :

Undertake background research on specific Blue Economy themes and contexts in Africa where requested,
Undertake policy analysis of innovative integrated solutions to address the challenges facing Africa's blue economy.
Support, organize and participate in stakeholders’ engagement events.
Contribute to communications materials related to AUC/UNDP Inclusive Blue Economy Flagship programme.

2. SDG Integration and Acceleration:

The work will likely entail data collection and analysis of SDGs at national and sub-national levels.
Undertaking the analysis of local development plans to identify key priorities and SDG ambitions.
Engaging and working directly with the Africa Union, Regional Economic Communities, Countries and Localities from time to time.
Producing a final output.

3. Social Protection and Inclusive Growth:

Develop a database of CBSPOs in Africa using the CBSP report’s household surveys and transcripts; including an analysis report on the transcripts.
Undertake research on gender, climate resilience and social protection at the local/community level by mapping work in this area (in UNDP and beyond), and drafting written inputs for regional programming
Assist in providing CO support through technical inputs and administrative tasks as needed.
Support the strengthening of the social protection Community of Practice by managing platforms and leading knowledge sharing efforts.

Other tasks for all the Associates require attending team meetings and supporting administrative processes.

Competencies

Interest and motivation in working in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter in an international organization.
Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.
Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set.
Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently.
Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment and beliefs/backgrounds.
Response positively to feedback and differing points of view

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) OR recently graduated with a first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent), in economics, public policy, development studies or related Social Science discipline is required and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

Work experience not required, but some relevant work experience would be an asset especially experience in international development.
Computer skills: MS Office proficiency
Understanding of and previous research on issues related to international development such as the SDGs, integrated approaches and with knowledge of the UN system is an asset.
Excellent drafting and editing skills and attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working collaboratively in small and large multi-cultural teams.
Good Graphic Design, Visual Arts and/or Communications skills

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English.
Knowledge of French is highly desirable.

General Conditions

In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with a rate that varies depending on the duty location. 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 pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government, or institutions.
Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
The purpose of the Internship Programme 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.

Application

Interested graduates must submit the following documentation to UNDP Country Office in Ethiopia.

Resumes and cover letter (in English)
Education Testimony (bachelor’s degree/ Diploma Certificate)

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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