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.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
The Africa Union Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven and managed by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. A prosperous and peaceful Africa is indispensable for its peoples. Agenda 2063 outlines Africa’s strategic aspirations for the 21st century. Achieving peace and prosperity ranks high among them. African countries have made some progress in pursuing those aspirations in the context of the first Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014-2023. However, major challenges remain, highlighting the gap between the normative aspirations and implementation of regional commitments. Closing that gap requires effective governance and enhanced peacebuilding efforts in the region.
The Governance and Peacebuilding programme seeks to ensure that ‘citizens’ expectations for voice, development, the rule of law and accountability are met by stronger systems of democratic governance’. Specifically, the programme will be addressing key issues of increasing space for public participation, increasing capacity for public and civil society engagement, deepening legitimacy and interaction between state and the society and strengthening economic governance. Others include improving and coordinating regional peace architecture through policies and strategies and strengthening regional preparedness to prevent disasters and managing risks.
The Governance and Peacebuilding team is currently completing a 4-year Renewed Governance and Peacebuilding Framework for Africa with the overall goal to achieve transformative change characterized by people-centered, human rights based inclusive and participatory governance and peacebuilding systems and strengthened trust and social contract between state and citizens that will contribute to change Africa’s narrative to one of promise, and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and Agenda 2063. The Framework is implemented through an integrated systems approach: prevention and early action; investing in Africa’s youth; economic governance; democratic governance and civic participation; promoting the rule of law, justice and human rights; and local governance and delivery of public services.
Objective
The objective of the internship is to provide graduate-level students with the opportunity to gain direct exposure to UNDP’s regional work in governance, rule of law, and democratic institutions within the Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA) in Addis Ababa. The internship aims to deepen interns’ understanding of democratic governance, access to justice, human rights, and electoral support programming in Africa.
Through this experience, interns will learn from experienced development practitioners, apply governance and legal reform theory in practice, strengthen research and analytical writing skills, contribute to knowledge products, and support the planning and delivery of regional initiatives. The internship offers a dynamic opportunity to understand the UNDP mandate and values, contribute to people-centered and rights-based governance, and engage in policy and programming that strengthens democratic resilience and inclusive institutions across the continent.
Duties and Responsibilities
Intern Key Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Regional Governance and Rule of Law Advisor, the intern will support the implementation of regional governance and justice initiatives through the following tasks:
Research and Technical Analysis
Knowledge Generation and Communications
Coordination and Stakeholder Support
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Technical Competencies
Other competencies and attitudes
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Experience:
Language:
The following documents shall be required from the applicants: