Intern for LLDCs: Knowledge Management
New York City
- Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
- Location: New York City
- Grade: Internship - Internship
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Occupational Groups:
- Education, Learning and Training
- Closing Date: 2025-02-07
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.
BPPS is leading the collaborative processes of policy development, applied research and programmes for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) on ensuring macro-micro policy linkages of UNDP’s work on sustainable development. Work will cover the 32 LLDCs, with their own unique development challenges. This includes, in particular, finalization of implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs, and work with teams across UNDP’s Regional Hubs, COs and Global Policy Centres, development of substantive approaches, products and tools to support policy and programming services to UNDP Country Offices.
Furthermore, BPPS will lead interactions with Permanent Missions to disseminate UNDP’s policy and programmatic offers, in close collaboration with the Regional Bureaux and BERA, gauging the interest and expanding strategic partnerships among Member States.
The Vienna Action Plan for LLDCs (2014-2024) comes to an end in 2024. The processes of formulating and endorsing the new 10-year plan of action for LLDCS is nearly completed. It will culminate with the LLDC3 conference in 2025
Institutional Arrangements
The intern will report to the Senior Advisor on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS - HQ/BPPS.
Interns’ Expenses
Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
(a) The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
Stipend
Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, will be paid by UNDP.
The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis 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 of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.
Interns will accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.
Insurance
Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. 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 responsibility of the intern. Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants who are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
- Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
- Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
Subsequent Employment
There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.
Third-party claims
UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.
- Working under the guidance of the Senior Advisor on LDCS, LLDCs and SIDS, the intern will provide research support for the preparation of inputs towards the knowledge products to be released during LLDC3, in particular:
- Support the compilation of existing knowledge products on best practices from UNDP projects addressing challenges specific to LLDCs
- Support the organization of high-level events in the lead-up to LLDC3.
- Support to the preparation of inputs to UNDP messaging for LLDC3
- Support the preparation of inputs for side events during LLDC3;
Corporate
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Professionalism
- Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
- Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
- Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
- Resolves conflicts as they arise;
- Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
- Highly organized, detailed oriented.
Communication
- Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher - Preference for master level) in fields such as Public Policy, Political Sciences Studies Environmental Science, Energy Studies, Climate Policy, International Relations, Marketing or a related field or any related field.
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Studies of communication, infographic, design, journalism or any related field;
- Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above), and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
- Strong research, analytical, writing and editing skills, with track record in producing development research, articles and other material in English
- Strong interest in, and knowledge of, global development and the work of international organisations;
- Demonstrated understanding of international development issues, including in the area if Agenda 2030 and SDGs
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals as a Team Player;
- Good organizational and time management skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently under tight deadlines;
- Capacity to work in a multicultural environment;
- Able to work independently with minimum supervision;
- Good social media skills.
- Strong verbal and writing communications skills in English.
Advantageous competencies:
- Knowledge of the UN/UNDP and commitment to UN mission and UNDP mandate is desirable;
- Previous organisational experience or working experience in a developing country is desirable.
Language requirements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language is required.
In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:
- letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
- letter of recommendation from a professor;
- copy of his/her most recent school transcript;
- copy of passport;
- completed UNDP internship application form;
- signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
- Medical Certificate of Good Health;
- Proof of medical insurance.
Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.
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
Scam warning
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.