INTERN – RBA Country Oversight and Support Team (COST) – 2 positions

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of COST, the Intern will perform functions that support all sub-regional Clusters covered by COST [ESA and WACA]. The Intern will embrace a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. S/He will work in close collaboration with COST, other central units at HQ, RBA Units and the Regional Hubs in Addis Ababa, Pretoria, Dakar, and Istanbul in resolving complex programme and operations-related issues. The Intern will provide analytical support to COST through the Chief/Unit Head in his/her support and monitoring of programme activities of assigned Country Offices.

The Intern will also facilitate effective and timely country programme planning, monitoring, and reporting. S/He will also help in tracking and monitor CO performance against financial, operational and programme results, as well as compliance requirements, and makes recommendations to meet targets and deadlines.  S/He will follow up on management responses and implementation of evaluation and audit recommendations, and performs substantive analysis on donor intelligence, staff, and partnership survey data of the COs within her/his portfolio.

The Intern should also have the capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, analyse information accurately and conceptualize problems and solutions. S/He will have high level of integrity and model the UNDP values and ideals. The Fellow will have strong capacity to work in multi-cultural teams, collaborate and communicate effectively, with excellent analytical, problem-solving and innovation skills. The internship is for a maximum of 6 months. The internship is not paid. However, a stipend is provided and is on full-time basis. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) and are expected to work at designated UNDP offices. 

The Intern will perform the following functions:

• Maintain and regularly update calendar and tasks of the Chief of COST.
• Maintain monthly tasking log of COST meetings and events, including tracking COST AWP and Learning Plan.
• Develop recurring and clear line of communication with the different teams regarding COST events and meetings.
• Collaborate with COST staff and other HQ units in maintaining a system to ensure timely submission of documents destined for the Chief of COST, and provide feedback as required.
• Engages in complex policy and programme analysis at the request of the Chief of COST on focal issues and briefing topics.
• Ensures targeted and aligned CO portfolio management support, including crisis support.
• Tracking Implementation of the RBA Strategic Offer Implementation Plan as well as the Scale-up Plan.
• Tracking of RBA Calendar and reminding COs on upcoming PPM/POPP milestones and deadlines.
• Support sub-regional analyses, scheduling and reporting on CO Scans on development-peace-humanitarian nexus across RBA Africa region.
• Scanning and sharing best practices on development-peace-humanitarian nexus on new or available UNDP platforms.
• Support archiving of COST KM products and resources on MS Team as well as other shared platforms.
• Support work of Task Forces of interest [e.g. PQA, Audit/HACT, STARS, Gender, Risk Mgt etc] for resolutions of recurrent issues and flagging best practices.
• Continuous yet targeted knowledge and competency development through participations in trainings and Talent Development System [TDS], especially mandatory courses.
• Providing sound contributions to knowledge networks, COs support requests, sub-regional hubs products and communities of practice of interest through identification of best practices and lessons learned.
• Providing support to organization of consultative and other meetings, ITFs, RMRs, conferences including maintaining relevant databases, communication and follow up with organizers and participants.
• Provides support to assigned COs IWP tracking and review of programme milestones, monitoring, oversight, and reporting activities.
• Provides programme and administrative support to COST and when need arise to Regional Hubs.
• Research and preparation of thematic reports, meeting briefs, and financial data on countries of the region to meet analysis and reporting requirements; and
• Carry out any additional related activities as requested by the Chief of COST or her Line Managers.

Expected Deliverables

• Support COST members in the compilation of regional and country analyses, briefs, and other such requirements.
• Provide notes to the files and meeting notes within specified time after the meeting or workshop. Keep and maintain a meeting/workshop folder on shared COST and/or MS Teams platform.
• Work with the COST Programme Associates to maintain a color-coded calendar for the Chief of COST of events and meetings.
• Tasking log to keep track of deadlines, follow-ups, and general to-dos for Chief of COST requests and events. Populate and keep the log up to date.
• Regularly follow up with COST on quarterly events. Circulate matrix and ensure it is completed and updated.
• Stay in constant communication with and remain available to various Units [e.g. Country Offices, Regional Hubs, headquarter units] to ensure meeting deadlines and submission of documents. Review the documents (if requested) and return with edits/feedback.
• Either grant personalized access to tasking logs or create a system checklist to make sure documents are getting drafted in a timely manner, sent to be edited, and submitted to the Chief of COST for clearance.
• Conduct research or consults accordingly on topics/events relating to briefing documents (speeches, talking points, etc.).
• Engage in COST Task Forces of interest for effective delivery of services and mutual learning, with documentation of lessons learnt reports; and
• Complete all UNDP mandatory on-line courses open to Interns.

General:

• Ability to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills.
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines; and
• Commitment to the UN/DP vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Communication Skills:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; and
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational and unit goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise and willingness to learn from others; and
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education:

Applicants to this Internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher in Economics, African Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Development Studies, or other relevant fields); and/or
• Have graduated with a university degree (as described above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of working experience in development, peace-security, and crisis response, preferably within the Africa region.
• Have demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Preferably some relevant experience in international development or related area; Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills are required and experience designing infographics is an advantage.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
• Demonstrated capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, analyzing information accurately and identifying key issues and solutions.
• Knowledge of and exposure to the needs, conditions and problems of sub-Saharan countries is an asset; and
• Demonstrated experience of initiative, client-orientation, working in teams, in complex and time-pressured contexts, field experience in an African country is preferable.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required,
• Knowledge of French is a major asset.

Internship Conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship,
• UNDP offers a modest monthly stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station,
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution,
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship,
• 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 UNDP during the period of the internship,
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan,
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.