INTERN – Social Policy Section

The internship is for a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 months to be full time. The duration and modality can be adjusted on request of the successful candidate. Expected starting date 10 June 2024.

Duties and Responsibilities

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA’s five strategic directions which are advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. The Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division (GPSPD) is headed by a director who reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programmes). The Division is responsible for contributing towards achieving inclusive and equitable sustainable human and social development in Africa and promoting and supporting member States in their work to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is divided into three main sections: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Social Policy; and Urbanization and Development. The Division supports member States to design, implement and monitor policies and strategies to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, and accelerate their implementation of global and regional gender-related commitments for the empowerment of women and girls. It also supports member States in the design and implementation of appropriate national and sub-regional policies, programmes, and strategies to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce inequality to achieve inclusive and equitable human and social development. Key areas of emphasis for the Social Policy Section – SPS include social protection, health, migration, demographic transition, youth, and ageing. The SPS undertakes research and analysis to generate the evidence base for policy design; provides technical advisory support to member States in the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies; and promotes policy dialogue, learning and exchange in these areas. This position is located in the Social Policy Section (SPS) of the Gender, Poverty and Social Development Policy Division (GPSPD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A workplan with outcomes and achievements for the duration of the Internship will be agreed upon. Regular meetings with Interns, discussing processes and work-related outcomes will be required. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, and working directly with thematic focal points in SPS, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:

• Assist with research in support of the preparation of studies, reports, papers, fact sheets and infographics related to the work of the Social Policy Section.
• Identify and compile information, statistics, and databases in the areas of policy priority for the Section’s work including on migration, demographics, health and social protection statistics, youth, climate change and education.
• Assist with organizing and convening meetings, including attending to all relevant preparations and note-taking.
• Participate in team and division meetings to share information and assist colleagues in providing updates on implementation of deliverables and for planning exercises.
• Assist team members in reporting processes in line with section, division and wider ECA reporting procedures.
• Perform other duties as might be assigned by the SPS responsible officer.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/231162?language=en