Policy and Research Intern

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China is the China country office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations.

UNDP China is programming in line with the UNDP Strategic Plan (SP), under which the work domains/portfolios include People and Prosperity, Energy and Environment and Global Partnerships.

Guided by the senior management of UNDP China, the Strategic Partnership and Policy Team serves as the office’s research hub, closely cooperating with and providing content support to office-wide teams. Under the overall guidance of the International Economist and the supervision of the National Economist, the intern will be dedicated to providing technical, analytical and logistic support for research products and dialogue events. The intern will also be undertaking cross-team coordination functions, as requested by the senior manager or supervisor. The intern’s work aligns with UNDP’s mandate and mission and the implementation of the SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support the Strategic Partnership and Policy Team to compile, collate and analyze data, in particular on socio-economic policies, rural development, climate and environment issues, SDG finance and development cooperation related topics.
• Support as well as compilation, analysis and interpretation of knowledge products, providing thorough research of the policy and development issues in the country.
• Assist preparing policy briefs.
• Assist the coordination of publication launch events, missions and policy dialogues.
• Advocate and support the localization of the SDGs through research, preparing presentations and by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings, and take notes.
• Support Management of events and publications on economic issues.
• Support office-wide activities, including but not limited to employee association initiatives, green commitment activities, and other team-building events.
• A.O.B as assigned.

The internship is full-time, he/she will work five days per week (35 hours), with at least four days at UNDP offices.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Interest in development;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
• Value the equal importance of research and administrative tasks;
• Ability to manage coordination and logistic tasks with minimum supervision.
• Familiarity with knowledge management and learning;
• Ability to provide high quality policy notes, briefs on thematic topics;
• Sound writing and data management skills;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Experience

Field of study: International Development, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Climate Science, Environmental Studies, Business and Management, or equivalent.

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Enrolled in a Master’s or in a PhD programme
• In the final year of a Bachelor’s programme;
• Or within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme,
• Or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program
• Experience in developing research communication products would be an advantage.

Language and Skills

Excellent written and spoken Chinese and English language.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please submit your application with below documents in one PDF. For people who apply from UNDP Jobs, please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading.

a) CV and letter of motivation

b) Copy of school transcript

c) Indicate if you will be financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, and the financial amount.

*Candidate who didn’t submit required documentation will not be further considered.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan and medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• The stipend will be paid monthly. Interns will have 1.5 days of leave per month.
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed; Cost and arrangement for travel, visas, passports, accommodations and living expenses are the responsibility of the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern.
• Interns must not apply for or be appointed to a position that should be encumbered by a staff number during the period of their internship. Interns are expected to fulfil the terms of their internships. Therefore, the internship must not be foreshortened for the purposes of allowing an intern to apply for a position.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Disclaimer

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.

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