INTERN (RESEARCH URBANIZATION)

Background

UNDP, the global development network for the United Nations system, is present in 166 countries and territories and is uniquely equipped to help developing countries build sustainable capacity to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In support of this, UNDP offers a wide range of solutions to global, regional and national development challenges through a comprehensive knowledge network, expert practitioners and focused strategic areas of support. UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017 (SP) and the Global Programme 2014-2017 (GP) emphasize the need for new development thinking, approaches and services in a rapidly changing world. The Knowledge, Innovation & Capacity Group (KICG) at the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is tasked with informing UNDP’s policy and programming services with innovative processes to create greater development impact. To that end, KICG combines and integrates several key development drivers and facilitative processes. Work is ongoing to integrate these different strands in an innovation support structure, while fresh relations and partnerships with the central and regional bureaux, global policy centres, regional service centres and country offices are established. KICG is involved in several strategic policy discussions and new approaches and services are being developed and communicated. One of KICG’s policy mandates concerns urbanization, that is to coordinate the work on the development and deepening of a multidimensional, integrated body of knowledge of the impact of urbanization on development and of development in urban settings, with the aim to develop holistic, innovative and multidimensional urban development solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research support for Urbanization portfolio; Support to collect, compile and categorize approaches and case evidence on new urban practice; Support to the management of Sustainable Cities social media campaigns; Support to the organization of meetings, outreach events etc. related to Urbanization; Support to documentation collection, synthesis, dissemination and compiling feedback; Other tasks assigned by supervisor.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:  Advanced conceptual grasp and some practical experience with development related issues; Excellent research skills, combined with a proven analytical aptitude and ability to tap into a vast array of traditional and new knowledge sources; Strong writing and presentation skills; Strong organizational, time management, communication and interpersonal skills; Ability to work flexibly, eagerness to learn and capacity to meet deadlines; Experience working collaboratively in multicultural teams. Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Currently enrolled in a graduate-level degree programme in development related fields. Only students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible (students who have graduated are not eligible). Language requirement: All applicants must be fluent in both written and spoken English. Conditions: Applicants available for a minimum of four months and up to six months are preferred; The successful candidate will be required to: Bring a certificate from her school that s/he is enrolled in a Master's programme; Have a valid visa to work in the US; Have medical and life insurance; Financial Arrangements: UNDP does not pay for internships. The costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc. Further Career Opportunities: The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern's studies. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments within UNDP and the United Nations system.  Application procedure:Qualified candidates are requested to apply by sending their Curriculum Vitae together with a Cover Letter.

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