The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to resources, knowledge, and experience to help people build a better life. The UNDP is one of the world’s largest multilateral development agencies. It works in some 170 countries and territories to help eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion.
The UNDP has been working in Jamaica for over 40 years to support the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development for the Jamaican people. Our work is guided by Jamaica’s National Development Plan-Vision 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and associated Sustainable Development Goals which were adopted by world leaders in 2015. Globally, the UNDP’s current programme focuses on the priority areas of Sustainable Development, Democratic Governance and Climate and Disaster Resilience. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights, gender equality and equity and capacity development.
The UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office (MCO) is currently supporting a diverse portfolio of projects in the areas of:
- Sustainable energy,
- Environment/natural resources management
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Localizing the SDGs
- Migration and Development
- Justice Reform
- Human rights and gender equality
These projects are aligned to Jamaica’s development priorities. In addition, the UNDP supports several requests from the Government of Jamaica to improve overall capacity. In line with its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026, the UNDP will give greater focus to the following areas:
- Social Resilience and Inclusion
- Citizen Safety and Security and the Rule of Law
- Climate Change Resilience
- Sustainable natural resource management
This internship role will offer support to the Social Resilience Portfolio. The Social Resilience Portfolio includes a suite of the UNDP’s projects and initiatives which fall under the following categories:
(i) Social Cohesion and Community Security
(ii) Social Protection and Human Rights
(iii) Health and HIV.
(iv) Food Security
(v) Youth Engagement
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst – Social Resilience & Inclusion Portfolio, the Intern will be providing support for the following tasks:
Project Support -Youth Research
- Conducts desk review and research on programmes and studies relevant to youth engagement.
- Develops documents highlighting national priorities relating to youths.
- Explores and develops programmatic avenues for youth engagement.
- Conducts stakeholder mapping of both public and private sector groups.
- Supports the coordination and handling of projects, partnerships, and engagements.
- Supports the development of new engagement opportunities.
- Maintains calendar/schedules; monitors change and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit.
- Performs a variety of administrative duties on a need to basis.
- Carries out other relevant programmatic tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
Support to Programme Implementation
- Contributes day-to-day support to programme/project implementation as needed.
- Supports logistic arrangements for meetings, workshops, engagements with stakeholders.
- Supports consultation processes with UNDP Teams, national partners and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate to support project implementation.
- Assists in project implementation and monitoring, including participation in field visits.
- Drafts programmatic correspondence and documents as requested.
- Supports and assists with other tasks when needed.
The hybrid (in person and home-based) assignment will be conducted full-time (40 hours per week) from July 2022 to December 2022 at the UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office.
- Strong organizational, time management and communication skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently with a team, against tight deadlines.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations.
- Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with local community, stakeholders, and colleagues of various origins.
- Proven research, presentation, reporting and writing skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong service and team-work orientation, cultural sensitivity, and ability to work in a fast-paced multi-national environment.
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
- Commitment to UNDP vision, mission, values, and knowledge of UN work environment is an advantage.
- Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines.
- Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
- Demonstrates creative thinking ability.
- Takes initiative, under minimal supervision.
Education:
- The Intern must have studies in field of Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, or other related areas and must meet one of the following requirements:
Experience:
- Experience with Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, and others) as well as experience in handling web-based applications.
Language:
- Fluent in written and oral communication skills in English; competency in other UN languages is a strong asset.
Working arrangements
- As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policy, if it 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. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
- Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. The UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in a 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 station where the internship will be performed.
- Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in the UNDP during the period of the internship.
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent the UNDP in any official capacity.
- The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with the 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 contract.
The intern will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop. Internet access and printing facilities will be available at UNDP during the internship.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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.
Contract Duration: 6 months