Transformative Partnership Initiative Intern

Work LocationBeijing, China. Full time 5 days a week from 9AM-5PM. Expected duration6 months. Desired start date is 1st Sep 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall supervision of the UN Partnership and Financing Officer, the TPI Intern contribute to the next-stage development of the China-Africa-UN Transformative Partnership Initiative (TPI), for stakeholders to explore concrete opportunities for partnerships, projects and investments, in Africa and beyond. Scaling up South-South collaboration to accelerate global SDG progress is a key priority of the UN. The UN in China, in collaboration with the Host Government, Member States (in particular the African Ambassadors’ Group), the UN system, and other stakeholders such as the Rockefeller Foundation, co-created the China-Africa-UN Transformative Partnership Initiative (TPI), to help implement outcomes under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which has the potential to accelerate the race towards the SDGs. At the invitation of the FOCAC co-chairs (China and Senegal), the UN in China provided technical inputs to the draft outcomes of the 8th ministerial conference held in Dakar, Senegal at the end of 2021. In January 2022, the UN in China co-hosted with the African Ambassadors’ Group in China, at the premises of the Ethiopian Embassy, the inaugural symposium to identify concrete areas from the Conference, to enhance the growing partnership between China and Africa. Throughout 2022 and 2023, a few policy and technical discussions were convened and it was decided to focus on project-based cooperation in agriculture and food security, as well as climate change and energy transition, to start with countries in the Horn of Africa (HoA). In 2024 and 2025, the TPI gains further momentum. A couple of project proposals have been developed. A fully-fledged proposal on building a milk processing plant in Eritrea, developed by the UNCTs in Eritrea and China, supported by local counterparts from both countries, has been submitted to China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), to access funding of USD $ 2 million from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF). The UN in China co-organized a high-level dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration in partnership with the Embassy of Kenya, and connected the embassy with China’s largest solar panel company LONGi, to explore the opportunity to build a factory in Kenya. Most recently, the UN in China organized a pre-FOCAC symposium, along with the African Ambassadors’ Group in China, to provide inputs to the outcome documents for the FOCAC Beijing Summit, in areas such as social sector and human security (health, education and women); food security and agriculture modernization; energy and industrialization; climate change; financing SDGs and governance. UNAIDS Executive Director spoke at the event in Beijing. Another high-level event involving the UN system, the African Ambassadors’ Group and the Chinese Government is being planned for August 2025, to take stock of the outcomes from the Beijing Summit, and articulate on specific areas and concrete proposals for the consideration of the co-chairs (China and Republic of Congo). Furthermore, the TPI expands beyond Africa, and the RCO China is supporting countries in the Asia-Pacific region (for example the UN Country Team in Papua New Guinea) in preparing and submitting proposals to access Chinese funding. The TPI Intern shall provide quality research, analysis and advisory expertise related to the TPI. The approach shall be consistent with RCO policies, rules and procedures and that of the Chinese Government. The TPI Intern shall work in close collaboration with the Partnership and Financing Officer, as well as with other stakeholders from the UN system, the diplomatic community, academia, foundations, and the private sector, ensuring successful completion of the assignment. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The minimum duration of an internship is two months and can be extended up to a total period of six months. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the division or office to which they are assigned. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in international development studies, economics, computer sciences, statistics, political sciences or related field. Master of office software packages and handling of web-based management systems. Good graphics design is advantageous. Familiarity with the Government of China, and with international development agencies. Experience with other UN agencies, international organizations and/or non-governmental organizations would be considered an asset. Event management and coordination, in particular those involving multiple stakeholders. LanguagesFor national candidate, fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese. For international candidate, fluency in written and spoken English is a must; fluency in any other UN language is an asset. Additional InformationResponsibilities: • Support the organization of RCO’s major events including but not limited to those related to the TPI and the FOCAC, including logistics support and drafting briefing documents and speeches, etc. • Support the compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, background information and documentation on China’s key policies and developments. • Support the organization and follow-up of the inter-agency and high-level meetings or events attended by the RC or RCO staff members. • Support to incoming high-level UN delegations, including providing both logistics and substantive support. Competencies Functional Competencies: • Demonstrates strong analytical skills; • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; • Excellent teamwork & event management skills; • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; • Can work independently; • Knowledge of the UN system and its mandate would be considered an asset; • Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment. Development and Operational Effectiveness: • Ability to apply technical guideline production procedures; • Ability to analyze technical requirements in the relevant area; • Ability to apply organizational policies and procedures. Innovation: • Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things; • Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.