Background

II. Background

Governance is one of the six signature solutions in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 – alongside poverty and inequality, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality – to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. The objective of UNDP’s Governance work is to ensure that accountable, inclusive, and effective Governance underpins sustainable development. UNDP’s Governance assistance, including that provided through UNDP’s Global Programme, Governance for People and Planet (G4PP), is multi-dimensional and multi-level and goes beyond technical solutions to support a “systems approach” which is human rights based, problem-driven and participatory to accelerate development and ensure no one is left behind.

Since 1995, Ethiopia has adopted a multiparty parliamentary system and it has embarked on a process of modifying the governance architecture, reforming the civil service, building capacity of democratic institutions, deepening decentralization, and improving the delivery of basic services. These gains have improved the governance system to some extent and broadened opportunities for political participation. However, the governance landscape in Ethiopia remains complex, fluid, and challenging. Despite the good progress made so far, there is a long way to go in terms of ensuring good governance, consolidating democracy, ensuring the rule of law, protection of human rights, prevention of violent conflicts, managing diversity and promoting social cohesion. Transforming governance structures and systems, and consolidating democracy are a process. Transforming the fledgling democratic institutions into vibrant bodies that are capable of effectively delivering on their constitutional mandates requires sustained and concerted efforts.

Ethiopia is under pressure due to major political, social, and economic crises that are taking place in the last five years and more. The pervasive violent conflict and war in almost all parts of the country is the major challenge resulting in the losses of lives and devastated economy. Unresolved past grievances, ethnic, political, religious polarizations, intra and inter region boarder conflicts, governance deficits and disruption of constitutional, order compounded by the ongoing fueling hate speech and propaganda have been the key underlying causes of the violent conflict in the country.

Addressing the causes and impacts of the conflict, being the major shock in the country, is crucial to recover back Ethiopia to its peace, stability, and development path. Commendably, there are measures by the GoE to address those ongoing political crises in the country. In concurrent to CPD (2020-2025)[1], UNDP has also been investing to support ongoing efforts that sought to promote dialogue among the different facets of Ethiopian Community along with its interventions to strengthen the capacity of key federal and regional partners in Ethiopia for an effective conflicts management, prevention, and peacebuilding interventions.

Despite a generally positive development trajectory, significant structural challenges, reflecting a country in transition, will determine future development potential and achievement of the SDGs. Ethiopia faces a number of structural challenges which will impact on the ability of the country to achieve the SDGs and home-grown aspirations of Ethiopia.

III. Objective:

The UNDP Ethiopia Country Office, Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding Unit (DGPU) is looking for an intern who is motivated, independent, and ready to learn from the works of the unit at UNDP Country Office in Addis Ababa. The Internship will offer a graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP’s work. The programme is designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complements other international studies. It gives students and recent graduates the opportunity to get a taste of UNDP’s community and mission.

The Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding Unit is consisting of 8 staff working on peacebuilding, democratic governance, and rule of law related projects. The Intern is thus expected to participate in variety of tasks and work with the different thematic areas along with the staff members and the Team Leader for the Unit.

[1] CPD’s first intended outcome is: “To support a peaceful transition to a democratic polity, UNDP will contribute to an enabling framework, deepening of critical capacities, strengthening of norms and practices and greater voice and empowerment of those left behind, especially women.”

Duties and Responsibilities

IV. Description of Responsibilities

The Democratic Governance and Peace Building Unit engage and focus on the following key areas/interventions (i) democratic governance (ii) peace building, and (iii) rule of law and justice; and (iv) election. Under the supervision of the Team Leader of the DGPB Unit, the Intern is expected to perform the following key duties and functions:

• Support the unit and Implementing Partners on the Implementation of the Unit’s projects in terms of tracking results and success stories.
• Collect and analyze information and assist the unit in making reports on issues such as governance landscape as well as political economic analysis of the country.
• Assist the unit in analysis and synthesis of new development on governance and preparation of analytical pieces on governance, human rights, and justice as needed.
• Contribute on creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
• Assist in preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects.
• Assist the unit in its working relationships with other UNDP units – procurement, finance, HR, and others for smooth implementation of project activities with the support of these units.
• Assist in planning unit and other meetings within the unit and with partners also by producing and documenting proceedings/minutes of those meetings.
• Assist in preparation of briefing notes, updates and talking points to Senior management.
• Facilitate knowledge building and management; and provide support on keeping records of activities.
• Manage the calendars of various meetings for the governance activities.
• Prepare logistics, ToR and Concept Note for missions.
• Any other duties as required by the unit.

*Please note that the Intern will be present and working in the DGP unit, UNDP Office Ethiopia.

V. Learning Objectives

• Interest and motivation in working in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter in an international organization.
• Increase understanding of UNDP’s work and the UN system
• Improve knowledge and skills on governance and peace building.
• Improve knowledge and understanding of administrative and operational rules, policies, and regulations of UNDP.
• Build and develop professional relationships with UNDP colleagues and colleagues from other UN agencies.
• Work as a team member in a multicultural setting

Competencies

VI. Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.
• Works collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Positive and results-oriented attitude.

Technical Competencies

• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set.
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently.
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities.
• Excellent computer skill (Microsoft Office and software applications).

Required Skills and Experience

VII. Qualifications

Interns are selected on a competitive basis and the following minimum qualifications are required:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher).
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to work for consecutive 6 months.
• Interest to work on local and international governance, peacebuilding, and rule of law related issues.

* If you meet any of the above criteria, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

VIII. Other competencies and attitudes:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment and beliefs/backgrounds.
• Response positively to feedback and differing points of view.

IX. Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required. The knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

X. Intern requirements:

• UNDP internship programme provide a monthly Stipend.
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government, or institution.
• Interns must present proof of medical insurance coverage in order to be eligible for the appointment.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!