Intern – Regional Programme Support

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Background

The Regional Programme for Africa (RP) is part of UNDP's Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Regional Programme supports countries across the continent by addressing shared regional and cross border development challenges where collective, regional approaches add value. Through programmatic support, the RP complements Country Office efforts and strengthens regional cooperation to advance UNDP's development objectives in Africa.

The Regional Programme for Africa implements several flagship initiatives and contributes to a range of cross-cutting and emerging priority areas within the RSCA, including gender equality and women's empowerment, climate security, and strengthened UNDP engagement in the Sahel. It also plays an important role in supporting UNDP Country Offices by providing strategic, technical, and coordination support, as well as by facilitating engagement with regional and continental stakeholders.

The Regional Programme team operates as an integrated coordination mechanism, contributing to strategic coherence across the regional programme delivery model, supporting quality assurance and risk management, promoting innovative knowledge and learning practices, and strengthening communications and visibility of regional initiatives. The team also supports regional institutions — most notably the African Union and other regional organizations — and contributes to flagship projects, applied research, and advisory support to emerging regional challenges.

Given the Regional Programme's broad mandate and partnership-driven approach, strong coordination, communication, and knowledge management support is essential. The internship position is designed to support the team's coordination and partnership efforts, including assistance with flagship initiatives, engagement with regional stakeholders such as the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, civil society, and academic institutions, and contributions to research, documentation, and knowledge products.

Through this internship, the intern will gain hands-on exposure to regional programme coordination, partnership support, and knowledge management in a dynamic, multicultural environment, while contributing to the effective implementation and visibility of UNDP's Regional Programme for Africa.

Objective

The objective of the internship is to provide graduate-level students with hands-on exposure to the coordination and implementation of the Regional Programme within the Regional Service Centre for Africa. The internship aims to enable interns to support Regional Programme planning, coordination, and reporting processes; contribute to the development of knowledge products, briefs, and analytical outputs; and assist with documentation, writing, and editing tasks. Through close collaboration with the RP and RSCA teams, interns will gain practical experience working with cross-functional teams, strengthen their programme coordination and knowledge management skills, and develop a solid understanding of UNDP's mandate, values, and regional development priorities, while contributing meaningfully to the achievement of programme objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of the Regional Programme, the intern will support the Director and the RP and RSCA team on the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Regional Programme Coordination Support

• Assisting in the coordination of Regional Programme activities across thematic teams, hubs, and Country Offices.
• Supporting the organization of meetings, consultations, workshops, and internal coordination sessions, including preparation of agendas, background notes, and meeting summaries.
• Tracking follow-up actions, timelines, and deliverables related to Regional Programme initiatives.
• Supporting information flow and coordination between the Regional Programme team and RSCA units to ensure alignment and timely implementation.

2. Regional Programme Planning, Implementation, and Reporting Support

• Assisting with programme planning, implementation, and monitoring processes, including support to workplans, results frameworks, and activity tracking.
• Supporting the preparation, consolidation, and review of programme documents, briefs, donor reports, and internal updates.
• Contributing to data collection, analysis, and compilation of inputs from thematic teams and Country Offices to support reporting and decision-making.
• Providing administrative and analytical support to ensure timely delivery of Regional Programme outputs and compliance with UNDP processes.

3. Knowledge Management and Knowledge Products Development

• Contributing to the development, drafting, editing, and formatting of knowledge products, including briefs, concept notes, presentations, summaries, and analytical notes.
• Supporting documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and innovations emerging from Regional Programme implementation.
• Assisting in organizing and maintaining programme-related knowledge repositories, shared folders, and reference materials.
• Supporting dissemination of knowledge products and key messages to internal and external audiences, in coordination with relevant teams.

Competencies

• Interest and motivation in working in the work of the United Nations Development Programme and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter in an international organization.
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set.
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently.
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment and beliefs/backgrounds.
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Interns are selected on a competitive basis and the following minimum qualifications are required:

• Enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master's programme, or higher) OR enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor's degree or equivalent); OR recently graduated with a first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) in Development, Peace and Security, Social Science, Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, Law, Human Rights, or related Social Science discipline, and if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.
• No professional work experience is required for applicants to the UNDP Internship Programme. However, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the type of internship they are applying for.
• Availability to work consecutively for a period of 6 months.
• Strong interest in international development, peacebuilding, and rule of law related issues.
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office and other relevant software applications.
• Knowledge and experience in project implementation, public relations, or a related role is advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages for different audiences.
• Strong copywriting, editing, and proofreading abilities, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the organization's sector or field of work would be desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of local language is desirable.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants must submit the following documentation to UNDP while applying online:

• Updated CV and cover letter (in English).
• Education testimony (bachelor's degree/proof of enrollment).

Please note that the intern will be present and working in the UNDP RSCA office in Ethiopia. If you meet the above criteria, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders): Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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