Policy Intern – UNDP India

Application Deadline 19-May-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from democratic governance to poverty eradication, to sustainable energy and environmental management. UNDP’s programmes are aligned with national priorities and are reviewed and adjusted annually.

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.

Additional Category : Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract : Internship
Post Level : Intern
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jun-2023
Duration of Initial Contract : 3 Months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 6 months

Background

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government,    and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

The Policy Unit leads UNDP India’s research and advocacy on Global Goals and the national development agenda, with a special focus on environment and climate change, skill development, inclusive growth and strengthening systems for SDG localization.

UNDP seeks to onboard a Policy Intern to join our growing, dynamic Policy unit to provide substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents, which direct and guide UNDP interventions on climate change, livelihoods, health, gender, and localization of SDGs among others.

Under the supervision of the Senior Economist, the intern will conduct research, assist in formulating policy documents, and provide support on all Policy Unit projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Policy Unit team to carry out the following tasks:

• Identify, study, and document development datasets available in the public domain to formulate relevant, high-quality, evidence-led strategic policy briefs, notes and presentations for UNDP and external stakeholders.
• Support ongoing Policy Unit projects through both primary and secondary research along with proper documentation in the form of reports, policy briefs, emails, concept notes among others.
• Foster an active learning environment within and outside the team on relevant policy and advocacy topics.
• Perform additional tasks as allocated by the supervisor.

Competencies

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others and take initiative;
• Proactively works on tasks and delivers under given timelines.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational:

• The candidate should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in economics, development studies, public policy, or other relevant social sciences.
• Or Candidates in the final year and about to complete master’s degree or pursuing PhD in the above academic disciplines can also apply. The candidate must:
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) or/and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.
• Or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Skills:

• Ability to conduct primary and secondary data collection and analysis.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required. Experience with data visualization platforms will be considered an advantage.
• Working knowledge of data analysis software such as STATA/R/Python will be beneficial with the ability to learn at a rapid pace as required.
• Good knowledge of econometric concepts including, but not limited to, tests of significance, correlations, causation identification and regression analysis is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, while understanding of Hindi is desirable

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

• The completed “Application Form” provided in the link, which requires names of 3 referees.
• Current and complete CV in English.
• Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in their undergraduate or graduate-level degree programme;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out.
• Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months

IMPORTANT:

Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosed that he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, if the internship has started, to terminate it without notice or indemnity.

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 be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks.