UNDP: Paid Internship – Programme and Partnership Support (Resilient Recovery) – Kingston

Background

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience.

Present in Jamaica since 1976, the UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica currently serves The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Islands. UNDP”s global mission is carried out at the Multi Country Office in Jamaica through four focus areas: Social Resilience and Inclusion; Citizen Safety and Security and Rule of Law; Climate Change Resilience; and Sustainable Natural Resource Management. Our tailored package of Signature Solutions supports the development of strong policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Jamaica is spearheading the Jamaica Resilient Recovery Initiative (JARRI). This initiative is designed to enable a risk-informed recovery process that strengthens long-term institutional capacity and community resilience. The JARRI framework focuses on four critical areas: recovery governance and planning, community-driven debris management, livelihood restoration for MSMEs, and the deployment of decentralized solar solutions. The Programme Support Intern will work directly with the Programme Analyst – Social Resilience to support the execution of these recovery outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst- Social Resilience, the Intern will provide support for the following tasks:

• Project Implementation & Monitoring: Contribute to the day-to-day implementation of JARRI components, ensuring recovery activities including solar deployment, debris clearance and technical advisory support is delivered to target communities conform to expected results and work plans.
• Partnership: Support efforts to build and maintain strategic partnerships with bilateral and multilateral organizations, philanthropic foundations, and financial facilities to scale JARRI recovery outcomes. This includes assisting in the preparation of briefing materials for donor dialogues, contributing to the development of resource mobilisation proposals, and supporting the documentation of project impact to ensure sustained funding for hurricane recovery and long-term resilience.
• Knowledge Management: Support the systematic documentation and dissemination of recovery insights. This includes capturing best practices across various project areas; such as resilient construction, nature-based planning, and community-led livelihoods, to facilitate knowledge exchange between national stakeholders and international recovery experts.
• Logistics & Field Coordination: Support logistic arrangements for meetings, workshops, engagements with stakeholders.
• Reporting & Data and Records Management: Support regular updates and maintain JARRI-specific records including beneficiary selection lists for cash for work and debris management programs. Assist with drafting and reviewing progress reports.
• Ad-Hoc Support: Support and assist with other tasks related to the Hurricane Melissa recovery portfolio as needed.

The assignment will be conducted full-time (40 hours per week) either virtually or at the UNDP Jamaica Multi-Country Office based in Kingston, Jamaica.

Competencies

• Strong organizational, time management and communication skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently and with a team, against tight deadlines
• Effective verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations.
• Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with local community, stakeholders and colleagues of various origins.
• Proven research, presentation, reporting and writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong service and team-work orientation, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a fast-paced multi-national environment
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning
• Commitment to UNDP vision, mission and values and knowledge of UN work environment an advantage
• Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Creative thinking ability
• Takes initiative, under minimal supervision

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• The Intern must have studies in field of Social Sciences, Development Practice/Studies or other related areas and must meet one of the following requirements;

1. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor”s level or equivalent);
2. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Experience

• Experience with Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel and others) as well as experience in handling web-based applications.

Language:

• Fluent in written and oral communication skills in English; competency in other UN languages is a strong asset.

Working arrangements

• As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.
• 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.
• The purpose of the internship 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.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract.

The interns will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop. Internet access and printing facilities will be available at UNDP during the internship.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

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