To effectively address the development challenges of the 21st century, it is not enough to think about designing isolated solutions; new strategies are required to understand how problems develop and evolve, as well as new approaches to identify sets of solutions that can address specific problems. and at the same time contribute to generating systemic change. 

With this in mind, UNDP created the Acceleration Laboratories, present in UNDP offices in 91 countries, including Mexico. The Labs are part of an effort to inject innovation into the DNA of the organization through the incorporation of new skills and approaches; and improve the organization’s ability to learn accelerated and networked, to close the gap between the scale of problems and our ability to solve them. 

The UNDP Acceleration Laboratory in Mexico (AccLab) provides a set of strategic services to the areas of UNDP and its allies to more effectively address complex problems. These services are:

• Sensemaking: The ability to identify the development challenges that are relevant to address in a complex and dynamic environment.
• Collective intelligence: New ways of knowing the pulse of what is happening in the territory.
• Solution mapping: Diversify the way solutions are designed, starting from identifying the innovations that people in the territory have developed from their own experience to deal with the challenges they face.
• Experiment portfolio: Design and assemble a portfolio of experiments capable of generating agile learning about actionable solutions. 

In this context, the UNDP AccLab in Mexico is looking for people interested in carrying out a professional internship in activities related to the learning cycles and the work of the Laboratory. 

For more information about the UNDP Accelerator Labs initiative, please consult  https://acceleratorlabs.undp.org/

Under the supervision of the Officer in charge of the Project, the intern will offer assistance to the Acceleration Laboratory projects. Specific responsibilities and tasks are described below:

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential requirements

• Academic areas: data sciences, computer sciences, systems engineering, programming, social sciences and/or areas related to the Acceleration Laboratory.
• Academic requirements. People who apply must meet one of the following requirements:
  • Being in the last year of a bachelor’s degree 
  • Be pursuing a postgraduate degree (master’s degree or higher) 
  • Have graduated from a university degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) and no more than one year has passed since graduation when starting the internship. 
• Experience in handling Office packages (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Experience in managing technological programs/platforms to analyze various sources of quantitative and/or qualitative data, traditional (e.g. official statistics, surveys, interviews) and/or unusual (e.g. satellite images, social networks).
• Knowledge of the English language, intermediate level.
• Letter of expression of interest.
• Have current medical coverage during the duration of the practice. 

Desirable requirements

• Focus on studies, experience and/or knowledge relevant to development, social innovation and public innovation issues.
• Knowledge of innovative methodologies and tools related to the Acceleration Laboratory is an advantage.  
• Interest in human rights and gender issues. 

SKILLS

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: 

• UNDP offers a monthly stipend corresponding to what is established by UNDP Headquarters. Which responds full time or its equivalent in hours during the internship in accordance with UNDP professional internship policies. 
• UNDP is not responsible for costs derived from accidents and/or illnesses during the practice. 
• The intern may not represent UNDP in any official capacity, communicate or commit resources on behalf of UNDP. 
• The intern will not be able to apply for a position while they are at UNDP and the internship time cannot be shortened so that they can apply for a UNDP position.
• All materials developed by the interns are the property of UNDP, so you must ensure that you have a copy of all documents at the end of the internship.
• Respect the independence and impartiality required by the United Nations and the Country Office; instructions regarding practices cannot be accepted from the Government or any authority external to UNDP.
• In the event of resignation or termination of the contract, the intern will be responsible for making a written delivery of the documentation under his/her charge, as well as a list of pending issues and institutional commitments, and subject to the regulations of UNDP Mexico.
• Be a Mexican citizen in full exercise of their rights, or a foreigner, whose immigration status allows the function to be carried out.
• Not having been sentenced to imprisonment for an intentional crime.
• Comply with local laws, customs, including tax payments.
• The initial duration of the contract will be 3 months with the option to be renewed based on the evaluation of the project’s performance and opportunities.
• The position for this vacancy will happen remotely anywhere in the country and requires your own computer equipment and internet connection.
• The internship is at least 20 hours per week with some flexibility to the requirements of the intern’s study program.
• Diversity: The United Nations Development Program is committed to workforce diversity. Women, people with disabilities, LGBT+ people, other ethnic or religious minorities, people living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens who are legally authorized to do so, are especially encouraged to work at UNDP.