Background and Organizational Context
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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.
Background and Organizational context
The UN Global Solutions Hub on Internal Displacement (“the Solutions Hub”) is an inter-agency resource to support field implementation of solutions to internal displacement in line with the approach and commitments outlined for internally displaced persons (IDPs) solutions in the United Nations (UN) Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, and brought forward by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) - United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) Joint Guidance on Solutions to Internal Displacement. The Solutions Hub acts as a one-stop resource for UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs), coordinating and facilitating access to support on Solutions to Internal Displacement, drawing on the breadth of expertise in the UN system and partners. Advancing the goals of the Action Agenda in support of nationally led processes and institutions and supporting implementation of the joint UNSDG-IASC Guidance on Solutions rests with the Solutions Hub.
The primary purposes of the Solutions Hub are to:
- Promote a nationally led, development approach to solutions, consistent with human rights priorities and the role of the peacebuilding community
- Provide country-facing support on solutions to internal displacement
- Support knowledge management and access to good practices on solutions
- Track progress and reporting on the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement with respect to solutions
- Support key coordination mechanisms on IDP solutions, especially as Secretariat to the Global Solutions Working Group
The Hub is now seeking an intern to support the day-to-day work of the Hub Coordinator with a focus on coordination, knowledge management, comms and research.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Solutions Hub Coordinator and works in close coordination with members of the inter-agency Solutions Hub.
Responsibilities will include the following:
1. Programme Management & Operations Support
- Assist in organizing events, including weekly Hub meetings, regional consultations, and webinars (handling invitations, tech setup, and drafting meeting notes).
- Provide administrative support to the Hub Coordinator, assisting with daily schedule coordination, routine correspondence, and travel/mission logistics.
- Assist with basic financial and procurement tasks, such as compiling budget data or draft procurement documents.
- Support the preparation of basic background folders, delegation profiles, and participant lists for key global platforms and inter-agency working groups on internal displacement.
2. Knowledge Management & Communications
- Assist in documenting lessons learned, success stories, and case studies from the field for wider dissemination.
- Support website and SharePoint updates, ensuring online files, databases, and platform content are organized and up to date.
- Review and format draft publications to ensure they meet team templates and standards.
- Draft high-quality, concise meeting notes and action points for both internal team meetings and external stakeholder/partner consultations.
3. Research & Country-Facing Support
- Conduct desk-based research and literature reviews on key thematic issues related to internal displacement and development solutions.
- Collect and organize data on global displacement developments to support team reporting.
- Keep track of country-facing engagements, helping to organize and streamline requests from UN Resident Coordinators' Offices (RCOs).
- Assist in tracking and maintaining deployment files and contact lists for the Solutions Advisor Facility in the field.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Keen attention to detail;
- Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
- Excellent analytical and research skills;
- Research experience;
- Interest in internal displacement issues and possibly some background in researching the topic;
Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
- Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
- Ability to work under pressure;
Communication:
- Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
- Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Teamwork:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
- Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
Planning & Organizing:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
- Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;
Accountability:
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honor commitments;
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
- Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
- Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
- Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above, and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; or
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this programme.
Experience:
- Excellent communication skills; Ability to write clearly and concisely;
- Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Good command of information and communication technology.
- Some knowledge of the internal displacement issues would be helpful.
Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset.
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 will be paid by the receiving office.
- The monthly stipend amount will be determined in accordance with applicable UNDP internship policies and duty-station rates. Part-time internship arrangements will be prorated accordingly.
- Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the applicable rules, pay 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 the internship agreement.
- Interns will accrue combined sick and annual leave at the applicable monthly rate, prorated for part-time arrangements where relevant. Any accrued leave not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited.
Application Procedure:
- The application should contain (i) brief Cover Letter (in English) stating why you would like to be considered for the internship; and (ii) current CV (in English).
Please combine the above into one single PDF document as the system only allows uploading of a single document.
In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:
- Copy of most recent curriculum vitae;
- Letter from university confirming current enrolment and graduation date, or;
- Copy of recent graduation certificate;
- Letter of recommendation from a professor;
- Copy of school transcript;
- Copy of passport;
- Medical Certificate of Good Health;
- Proof of medical insurance cover.
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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