Job Details

Job Description

Background

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

The UNDP country office in Zambia has the prime responsibility for delivering high quality policy and technical advice to the country authorities / government and other stakeholders within its areas of focus, which include Governance and Gender; Environment and Climate Change; and Inclusive Growth and SDGs. Strengthening the capacity of the country office to engage in more proactive policy dialogue with the government and other development partners, should contribute to improving the responsiveness of UNDP’s support to projects and programmes at the country level to evolving development challenges and priorities. In this regard, the Strategy and Policy Unit (SPU), one of the five key units in the UNDP Country Office, responds to the need to equip the Country Office with substantive capacity for policy dialogue and delivery of a range of policy-related services. In this context, the main responsibility of the SPU is to support the further upstream movement of Country Office operations and delivery of policy-related services in all the Organization’s identified focus areas (Pro-poor policies, Democratic Governance and Gender, Sustainable Energy and Environment, Inclusive Growth and SDGs. The intern will work in the Strategy and Policy Unit, which currently includes the Economic advisor, a National Economist and a Liasson Specialist. The Economics advisor is the Head of Unit. The intern’s interaction with the Head of Unit will take place daily as well as through regular Unit meetings, thus allowing for continuous feedback. Performance Appraisal as per standard procedure. The Unit, through the Economic Advisor, reports directly to the UNDP Resident Representative. In performing his/her tasks, the intern will be interacting with both the state and non-state actors. State actors include the government counterparts, particularly from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. Non- State actors include civil society organizations, private sector, academia, research institutions, cooperating partners, and other UN agencies. The government is the main actor in implementing the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and monitoring and reporting on the SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Economic Advisor, the Intern will undertake the following tasks: a) Support the formulation, implementation, management and monitoring of the Strategy and Policy Unit programme portfolio:

• Provide programme/project management support to the Unit.
• Provide assistance in other development/advocacy work and undertakes any other tasks that may be assigned by the Resident Representative and/or the Economic Advisor.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for stakeholders meetings, workshops, trainings, conferences, retreats and any other special events;
• Proof-read, edit, and translate reports as necessary for in-house dissemination and/or publication;
• Collect and disseminate information related to the Unit’s thematic areas, including inputs for donor reports and provides information when requested from various sources;
• Scan and ensure proper digital filing of all Unit documents that must be retained in support of corporate policies.
• Any other assigned duties/responsibilities

Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist
• undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• The applicant should also have a genuine commitment towards the vision and mission of UNDP, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in the area of economics, business / public administration, development studies, international relations or equivalent.
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the area of economics, business / public administration, development studies, international relations or equivalent.
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
5. No work experience is required

Ideally, the applicant’s education should be in a relevant field to the internship position to which they are applying for (e.g. social science, economics, management, etc.).

• Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below.  Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

1. The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
2. The intern.

Insurance:

• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• Selected candidates for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

1. Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
2. Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.

UNDP’s expenses

• Costs incurred by interns, including undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP, in the discharge of the activities related to the internship are reimbursed by UNDP on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members or costs reimbursed to staff members, including payment of daily subsistence allowance, as applicable.

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, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
• The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern 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 an internship agreement.

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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