The posting
Job Description
Background
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. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life.
Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition
The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development and in doing so advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries.
The Rome Centre focuses on the critical policy areas of youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance. These objectives are pursued through the effective implementation of three initial main programmes: the Technical Assistance and Investment Support Facility, the Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership and Youth4Climate.
- PISTA (Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance) aims to mobilise finance for climate, energy and environment. Specifically, the Facility aims to originate projects that contribute to the decarbonization efforts of developing economies and to their transition to climate-resilient economies, and it aims to catalyse international financial resources toward these initiatives. Matching impactful projects with investors and capital providers goes hand in hand with the engagement with financial institutions – both institutional and private – at Italian and global level.
- The Energy for Growth initiative aims to promote access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. The goal of the partnership is to assist partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up the diffusion of clean energy solutions, increase access to energy and boost the energy transition. Overall, the initiative aims to foster the mobilization of public and private capital toward projects aligned with the international policy agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by connecting UNDP's capacity and connections in emerging economies and developing countries with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7-G20countries, in the crucial sector of energy.
- Youth4Climate promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. Youth4Climate supports the implementation of youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development. It also gives young people around the world who are committed to fighting climate change a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.
- The Rome Centre also has a broader mandate to engage with the Italian ecosystem as a whole, which involves close collaboration with key actors in the public and private sector, with the aim to effectively mobilize financial resources for development objectives. To guarantee the effective implementation of the Rome Centre’s workplan, and indeed to ensure the strategic and long-term impact of both its programmes, the Centre will develop broader strategic partnerships and reinforce the overall collaboration with Italy and other meaningful partners.
The Rome Centre functions as the UNDP Office in Italy. As a result, it plays a key role in the strategic engagement of public stakeholders in advancing Italy’s international cooperation priorities within broader multilateral frameworks, including the G7 and G20, as well as supporting the development objectives of National Strategies such as the Mattei Plan for Africa. For instance, it supports initiatives such as: Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), the G7 Adaptation Accelerator Hub, the Digital Flagship for Africa, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, as well as crises and recovery programmes. Through these efforts, the Centre acts as a hub to channel Italian priorities into global and regional programmes, while mobilizing finance and partnerships that scale SDG-aligned impact in developing and crisis-affected countries.
Delivering on its programmes, the Rome Centre will provide support to the international cooperation efforts of Italy and it will support UNDP’s global policy initiatives. Recognizing that change will be disruptive, UNDP will work to ensure that such transitions are just, and that their impact on vulnerable people is understood and duly mitigated.
The Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) and Operations team supports the Rome Centre’s portfolio from project design, implementation and reporting. The team works with thematic teams, UNDP Country Offices and relevant business units to monitor delivery and budgets, coordinate quality assurance, and provide the operational and administrative support needed to implement projects. It also helps follow up on issues that affect delivery.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main objective of the assignment is to provide daily support to UNDP Rome Centre in day-to-day operational and administrative functions. The intern will work under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Management Specialist.
The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:
- Provide general support to the Programme Support and Operations Unit in the day-to-day administrative and operational processes (including HR Admin, procurement, travel etc) of the Rome Centre.
- Assist in the preparation, review and follow-up of programme and operational information, documents, requests and correspondence, in line with UNDP rules and procedures.
- Help coordinate internal quality assurance reviews by preparing materials, gathering inputs and following up on agreed actions.
- Contribute to developing and updating trackers, dashboards and other tools that support the team’s work.
- Compile data and assist in the preparation of reports, presentations and summaries on programme and operational activities.
- Support travel and logistics arrangements, including for meetings, workshops and events organized by the Rome Centre.
- Assist with general office administration, including asset and inventory management and office supplies.
- Conduct research and contribute to the review and improvement of operational processes, templates and standard operating procedures.
- Liaise with colleagues, partners and service providers to follow up on pending operational matters.
- Contribute to improving team processes, templates and working practices.
- Perform any other related duties as may be required to support the effective functioning of the relevant team and the Rome Centre as a whole.
Competencies
Corporate
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Professionalism
- Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
- Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
- Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
- Resolves conflicts as they arise;
- Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
- Highly organized, detailed oriented.
Communication
- Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher - Preference for master level) in fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Law, International Relations or any related field.
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, Economics or any related field;
- Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above), and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Experience:
- Strong research and analytical abilities.
- Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel, including formulas and pivot tables. Experience building a dashboard or tracker in Power BI, Excel or a comparable tool through coursework or a project is an asset. Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle) is an asset.
- Interest in UN operations and administration
- Strong attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
- Familiarity with the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions;
- Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
- Strong willingness and ability to learn on the job
Language requirements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language is required.
- Working knowledge of another official UN language or Italian is an asset.
In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:
- letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
- if sponsored - letter from his/her university confirming their sponsorship for the internship;
- copy of his/her most recent school transcript;
- copy of passport;
- completed UNDP internship application form;
- signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
- Medical Certificate of Good Health;
- Proof of medical insurance.
Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.
Pls include the following with your application:
- Copy of passport.
- Applicants must identify their availability period
- Applicant must identify his residency location (City, Country) during the internship period (in case his application is selected).
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Institutional Arrangements
The intern will report to the Programme Management Specialist and will work closely with the PMSU team.
Interns’ Expenses
Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
(a) The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
Stipend
Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, will be paid by UNDP. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend. No other payments of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.
Interns will accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.
Insurance
Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern. Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants who are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
- Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
- Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
Subsequent Employment
There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.
Third-party claims
UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.
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.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
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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