Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Ankara | Istanbul
Grade: Internship – Internship
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: 2024-07-31
Background
Based in the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia (RBEC) Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), the RBEC Country Office Support Team (COST) works under the direct supervision of the RBEC Deputy Regional Director in support of the RBEC Regional Director.
UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub established in 2014 provides policy and programmatic support, as well as Country Office (CO) business solutions in the Europe and CIS region. Throughout UNDP´s focus areas, it works towards increasing the impact of UNDP´s activities in the region by assisting COs in developing country-level initiatives through advisory services and technical support and by implementing regional and global level programmes and projects in partnership with a wide range of partners. RBEC’s Regional Hub employs a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and advisors, project managers, programme and operations support staff.
The COST team provides support to RBEC Country Offices in 19 countries/territories. The team is mainly designated to: a) be the go-to unit for the COs on management solutions, policy issues, programme and project management, operational and compliance challenges, CO capacities etc. b) inform the bureau management regarding the COs performance through regular monitoring and assurance exercises such as Integrated Work Planning, Results Oriented Annual Reporting, Country Office Scans, Strategy Notes, Integrated Budgeting, CO online and on-site visits etc. c) contribute to the Bureau’s organizational priorities when it comes to the implementation of regional and corporate actions related and not limited to policy development, regional and global projects and programmes, special actions such as crises responses, partnerships and resource mobilization and other directions of change under the UNDP Strategic Plan.
Video on Internships in IRH:
Duties and Responsibilities
The COST intern will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of COST and will directly support the work of Country Programme Specialists in exercising their functions covering 19 offices across the Western Balkans and Türkiye, Caucasus, Western CIS, and Central Asia, with an office in Kosovo (UNSC 1244/1999), and one Project Management Office (PMO) located in Cyprus. The key functions will be:
Working closely with Country Programme Specialists, to review and synthesize RBEC results analytics generated from the ROARs, IRRF, evaluations, CPDs, financial data, and other evidence and data.
To assist in the preparation of briefs/updates and presentation materials related to CO support, sub-regional and regional aspects.
To assist in collecting and organizing data for monitoring of COs performance indicators/success criteria against goals/indicators on a regular and systemized manner.
To assist in consolidating all CO information to facilitate effective and efficient corporate oversight functions.
To assist in monitoring the programme cycle milestones and the preparation of quality assurance exercises.
To assist the team with its support function to COs, including monitoring data on COs project performance.
To contribute to the implementation of RBM policies and quality assurance standards.
To assist with organization of events/missions/meetings (virtual or in-person), including logistics and content, to prepare presentation materials including in PowerPoint, and to draft the meeting minutes/highlights.
Competencies
Strong interpersonal skills, communication and presentation skills, ability to work in a team.
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities.
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
Required Skills and Experience
Enrollment in a graduate-level degree program in a development related field such as economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies. Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.
Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.
Adaptability and desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
Academic Qualifications/Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Development studies or equivalent fields;
(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Development studies or equivalent fields;
(c) 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;
(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Experience:
Experience with programme and project management is an asset.
Experience in handling web-based management systems, use of software and digital tools for collaboration, data collection, data analysis and for preparing presentations is an asset.
Experience with developing a quality and accountable reporting system is an asset.
Knowledge of PowerBi, Miro, SurveyMonkey, Canva or other software/applications is an advantage.
Language skills:
Fluency in English, both oral and written.
5. Notes:
Financial issues
Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement. Starting from January 2020 interns receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. Any further 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 arrangements for travel, accommodation, and other costs.
Application procedure
The application should contain:
Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post.
Current and complete CV in English.
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:
Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme.
Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.
UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.
Subsequent Employment
The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. More information available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/.