CORPORATE BACKGROUND:
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.
UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:
• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience
In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.
INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:
The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is the UNDP’s central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. The BMS supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services. The Service Delivery Model adopted by BMS aims to provide more integrated, effective, and customer-focused services; delivering improved management services in the areas of Legal Support, Procurement Oversight, Information Management and Technology, Consolidated Transactions, Sourcing and Operations, and Security.
The UNDP Security Office (SO) is a client-oriented Centre of Excellence for Security Risk Management, focusing on high-quality, timely and effective support and advisory services, helping clients to assure an environment for safe programme delivery. The Security Office is responsible for providing effective Security Risk Management advice and support at all levels (HQ, Regional, Country Office and Project), within the overall UN Security Management System, thereby enabling security of UNDP operations, programmes, and personnel globally.
Recognizing the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women, the disparity in access women have to career development opportunities, networks and mentors in the field of International Security, and aiming to contribute to the UNDP’s Strategy for Gender Parity, the UNDP Security Office and the Regional Security Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean (RSA-RBLAC) team are committed to promote female talent to continuing substantial learning and professional development in a sector traditionally dominated by men.
The Security Office Intern – Security Analysis and Operations – will work within the structure of the UNDP Regional Security Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean team, assisting in researching, monitoring and analysing the security situation in the region, contributing to maintaining security information awareness of aspects which could potentially affect the safety and security of the UNDP personnel and operations in field environments.
The UNDP RSA RBLAC internship provides an exciting opportunity for candidates interested in enhancing their understanding of: i) mandates and operations of the United Nations Development Programme in its efforts to provide support for achieving SDGs; ii) Corporate Security Risk Management Systems, specifically the UN Security Management System; iii) processes of security analysis, threat and risk identification and security management strategies in complex environments; iv) planning and implementing strategic processes and security policy.
DUTIES
The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:
The intern will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Security Advisor in supporting the management of open source information relevant to security and assisting in the management of operations-related activities. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Knowledge Management and Research:
• Assist in performing unclassified research of online media and other open sources of information, daily situation reports, incident reports, its collation, analysis, drafting advisories.
• Support maintaining up-to-date knowledge of events relating to the security environment;
• Assist in the coordination with UNV online volunteers, the research and collation of open media sources information, and processes for developing media monitoring and security reports and advisories for corporate clients in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region.
Security Operations Management:
• Assist in monitoring international security frameworks;
• Support adjusting developed information on threats and trends of security incidents to changes in the operational security environment;
• Support Emergency Response and Crisis Management situations;
• Support drafting situation and operational reports, lessons-learnt reports;
Security Coordination:
• Supports liaison and coordination activities with partner organisations and counterparts;
• Assist attending conferences and meetings where relevant, providing meeting minutes, outcome notes, briefings and profiles;
• Support team events and training workshop;
• Assist in performing other related duties as assigned.
Competencies
• Interest and motivation in working in an international organisation;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organising and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Attention to details;
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• (a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in Social Sciences, Latin American or Caribbean Studies, International Political Economy, Politics and International Relations, International Relations, Peace and Security, International Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Geopolitical Studies, Interdisciplinary studies, Military studies, Police studies, or any equivalent studies;
• (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); in Social Sciences, Latin American or Caribbean Studies, International Political Economy, Politics and International Relations, International Relations, Peace and Security, International Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Geopolitical Studies, Interdisciplinary studies, Military studies, Police studies, or any equivalent studies;
• (c) Have recently graduated with a university degree in Social Sciences, Latin American or Caribbean Studies, International Political Economy, Politics and International Relations, International Relations, Peace and Security, International Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Geopolitical Studies, Interdisciplinary studies, Military studies, Police studies, or any equivalent studies; (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one- year ofgraduation;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Experience:
• Experience in data collection and analysis in the field of social sciences is an asset;
• Proficient writing and communication skills, for a range of different audiences and media;
• Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment is an asset.
IT skills:
• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools, including Excel;
• Knowledge of mapping, information and GIS systems and information management data bases, AI, python programming is an asset.
Language skills:
• Good communication skills, and writing capabilities in English and Spanish,
• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Knowledge of French or other UN languages is an advantage.
The application should contain:
• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English or Spanish.
INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS
As of January 1 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas, arranging travel, accommodation;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in Health Insurance Plan valid for the location and the duration of the internship;
• Interns must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship;
• 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;
• UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.