Background
On October 21, 1974, the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Barbados entered into an agreement to โsupport and supplement the national efforts of developing countries at solving the most important problems of their economic development and to promote social progress and better standards of life.โ
Subsequently, similar agreements were entered with Governments of the ten countries and territories that the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean serves: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) aims to create an enabling environment where our national governments have the capacities for inclusive and sustainable human development; meet their regional commitments, and internationally agreed objectives including the SDGs. ย The MCO focuses on policy and knowledge advisory services that facilitate poverty reduction, improved democratic governance, economic recovery, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, social inclusion, and human rights. UNDP partners with governments and people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life of everyone. We are on the ground in around 170 countries, to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
UNDPโs work in the region continues to evolve and includes three clusters and an Accelerator Lab.
The Sustainable Solutions, Energy and Climate Change Cluster (SSECC) implements projects mostly focused on biodiversity, energy, and climate change with the Green Environment Fund (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) as main financial contributors.ย
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The Prevention, Recovery and Resilience (PRR) cluster leads the implementation of projects focused on crises preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction and resilience. Key projects in Dominica fall under the PRR cluster.
The Poverty and Governance (P&G) clusterโs portfolio include projects on rule of law, citizen security, justice as well as social protection and poverty reduction. Most of the joint programmes being implemented in collaboration with other UN agencies sit in this cluster.
The Accelerator Lab focuses on solving challenges in key sectors of the Blue Economy under a Blue Economy for Green Islands approach. In order to explore and encourage behavioral change in the Blue Economy, the Lab has applied experimentation approaches, collective intelligence tools, and innovation style challenges, which have revealed emerging insights and trends that hold promise for more responsible ocean-based development.
Learning Opportunity
The UNDP Internship Programme offers eligible candidates the unique opportunity to acquire practical experience in UNDPโs work under the direct guidance of experienced professionals. The Intern will report to the respective Coordinator/Team Leader for the respective area of interest/specialization and will be engaged at different stages of the project cycle including but not limited to project implementation, development, technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation.
Areas of Interest and Specialization
The following are the earmarked areas of interest and specialization the MCO is currently seeking interns to cover;ย
1.ย ย ย Climate changeย
2.ย ย ย Digital Transformation
3.ย ย ย Social policies and measures to address vulnerabilities
4.ย ย ย Economic recovery, SMEs and Private Sector Development
5.ย ย ย Risk management and Resilience including water and urban resilience
6.ย ย ย Communication, social media and website management
Key Assignments and Tasks:
Policy and Strategy Advice and Development:
Assist in the preparation of policy briefs, sector scan, status papers on development challenges based on desk review studies. Assist in the development of new or ongoing initiatives, including review of policy literature in respect to the subject to enhance UNDP programming in the relevant field within the Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean region. Document good practices, cases studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing. Research, collect, analyse, and edit documents related to evidence for effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems.Project Design, formulation and other project related functions:
Assist in the preparation of conceptual framework / concept notes on new areas of work or development challenges. ย Assist in the development of technical support in development of new interventions or projects. Prepare and review project documents.Knowledge Management & Communications:
Prepare knowledge and communication products for advocacy and outreach, related to national, regional and global initiatives within the relevant team. Review knowledge and communications products (subject, design and content). ย Disseminate knowledge and communications products under the direction of the Project Coordinator. Contribute to the preparation of social media content, the drafting of news, interviews and stories for knowledge platform, the development of relevant brochures, videos and infographics under the direction of the Communications Focal Point. Draft or support drafting of blog posts and other externally facing pieces on emerging trends in relevant field. ย Undertake regular website updates.Research and Data Management:
Undertake research on relevant initiatives in areas of interest. Conduct data collection and analyze data collected. Conduct desk reviews of existing research and literature on specific areas. Update the document repository of certain/specific initiatives from the region, with supporting resources such as presentations, press releases, blogs, etc. Manage files and online database of related documents in a structured way.Operations Support:
Provide administrative and logistical support. Support organization of workshops, conferences and retreats in coordination with other staff; support for international participantsโ travel and logistics matters. Support preparation of specific budgets, financial and accounting documents, and documentation for audit. Support to organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, TORs or RFPs documents.Perform any other duties within the functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. ย Keen attention to detail. Proven record of interest and work in the development field. ย Excellent analytical and research skills. Research experience. Demonstrated interest in the specialty/field under the respective cluster of choiceCore Competencies:
Professionalism:
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under pressure.Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing othersโ ideas and expertise. ย Is willing to learn from others, places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.Planning & Organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work.Accountability:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honor commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.Academic/Education Prerequisites:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a masterโs programme, or higher). ย Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelorโs degree or equivalent)ย ย Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.Language:
Written and spoken proficiency in English is a prerequisite.How to Apply
Applicants should send a motivational letter (approx. 500 words) and a detailed Curriculum Vitae through the online portal. ย Applicants are required to state one of the earmarked areas of interest/specialization in the motivation letter and its relevance to your present area of study.
The incumbent will be paid a monthly stipend based on the Barbados duty station rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. ย The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
Family Relationship
A person who is the child or sibling of an UNDP staff member is not eligible to apply for an internship at UNDP. ย An applicant who bears any other family relationship with a UNDP staff member may be engaged as an intern, provided that they must neither be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor be placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member.
In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:
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UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. ย Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.
UNDP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNDP also has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNDP, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. ย All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.