South-South and Global Development Cooperation Intern

Background

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 has an extensive history in working in the area of poverty reduction and human development and it also increasingly engages in South-South cooperation projects. For more information please see:

The internship will specifically focus on engaging with China in its cooperation with development partners and UN agencies under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025) and the UNDP Country Programme Document (2021-2025). Over the past decades, China has been increasingly engaging in international development and cooperating as part of China's wider approach to South-South cooperation - increasingly, this cooperation also involves bilateral and multilateral development agencies. Here, UNDP has been at the forefront since signing a MoU with China in 2010 to expand the on-going domestic engagement of UNDP in China to also increasingly work together with Chinese institutions as part of China's global engagement.

In order to further stimulate knowledge exchange on UNDP's mission and where possible the cooperation between UNDP and China towards the Chinese constituency in China, towards international partner representation in China as well as towards audiences in partner countries, UNDP China office is hiring an intern to provide technical support.

Specifically, working in close liaison with other teams within UNDP China, the intern will assist in organizing related events, drafting and translating meetings/events related materials, creating external outreach contents for press releases and social media and support research on international development cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Government Affairs Officer, the intern is expected to perform the following responsibilities:

Provide administrative and logistical support to meetings and events with intra-UN agencies, traditional donors, Chinese partners and other development partners;
Assist in preparing and coordinating meetings and producing related materials (agendas, notes, presentations, speeches, etc.);
Contribute to event organization including agenda design, invitations, knowledge products, speeches, etc.), and prepare events related communication contents for press release, social media etc.
Provide translation or interpretation where needed;
Support research on key issues and new trends on South-South Cooperation, international development cooperation, etc.;
Support other/ad hoc duties seen as relevant and needed.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the common UN system;
Strong interest and motivation in working in UN organizations;
Good coordination and organizational skills: ability to manage/organize multiple tasks, address fluctuating priorities and tight deadline;
Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research;
Good translation and interpretation (Chinese/English) skills;
Pragmatic and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set and can-do attitude;
Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

Enrolled in a Master's programme; or
Or within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s or a Master’s programme;
In the final year of a Bachelor’s programme;
Majors in International Relations, International Development, International Communications, Public Policy or other related fields. An advanced university degree is an asset.
Familiarity with UN work and South-South Cooperation is required.
Experience in translation and/or interpretation would be an advantage.

Language and Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Good English-Chinese bi-directional translation and/or interpretation skills.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office software package (MS Excel, Word, etc.).

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 considerated.

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.