POST-2015 AGENDA WORKING GROUP INTERNSHIP WITH THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEERS OFFICE IN NEW YORK

Location :	New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline :	31-Mar-14
Type of Contract :	Internship
Post Level :	Intern
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	01-May-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :	6 months
Background
United Nations Volunteers (UNV) office in New York is looking for an intern to support the work of The International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum) on the post 2015 Development agenda. The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer.  UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming and mobilizing volunteers. UNV is administered by and aligned with the strategic goals of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including those relating to support to the United Nations System as a whole. It operates amidst growing recognition that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will require the ingenuity, solidarity, and creativity of millions of ordinary people through voluntary action. As part of those, every year more than 7300 UN Volunteers, representing 160 different nationalities, are active participants in the programmes of the United Nations itself and almost all United Nations Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies in more than 130 countries.  UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – the majority in Bonn with some dozen positions in different UN peacekeeping missions, and other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). In the field, UNV has country office teams, composed of UNV Programme Officers (UNV volunteers) and Country Office Assistants, in many of the UNDP country offices. Forum is the peak body for promoting volunteerism globally and increasing the visibility and recognition of volunteering in the UN system and within the post -2015 development agenda. Following the organization’s annual conferences (IVCO) in 2012 and 2013, two important platforms were created in “The Ottawa Declaration” and “The Paris Accord”. Furthermore, Forum created a post-2015 action plan to promote strengthened global recognition for the contribution of volunteering to the future framework of sustainable development goals.  In September 2013, Forum along with some major global Volunteer involving Organisations (VIOs) convened in New York for a UNV Stakeholder meeting and formed a multi-stakeholder Task Force to actively participate and inform the process of defining the global Post-2015 development agenda. Organisational Context: The UNV Office in New York is part of the Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) of UNV and is the focal point for strengthening UNV’s relationship with UNDP/HQ and for partnership building with locally-based UN Agencies and Diplomatic missions. Its focus is on maintaining and strengthening relations with UNDP headquarters, UN Secretariat headquarters and UN system agencies; representing UNV in key New York-based forums and taskforces; liaising with UNV HQ in Bonn, Germany. The internship will require interaction with United Nations partners as well as those VIOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that participate in the multi-stakeholder Task Force (i.e. the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum), and other major global VIOs) Project: After the successful marking of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10) at national and global level, a project was developed to leverage the results of IYV+10 to integrate volunteerism into the new Post-2015 development agenda. The project provides support for action at national level to seize the strategic opportunity to participate in and facilitate UN system wide national consultations (particularly bringing in the voice of civil society and volunteer involving organizations) on the Post-2015 development agenda. Following the recommendations passed by the Forum’s Annual General Meeting in Paris in October 2013, a Forum Post-2015 Working Group was appointed. The Working Group’s objective is to advise Forum Board and Forum member organizations on the opportunities for engagement and participation in the Post-2015 processes internationally, nationally and within the UN system over the coming year. Key tasks of the Forum Post-2015 Working Group are: Prepare and update draft Forum Post2015 Key Messages on Volunteerism for the board of Forum; Develop and update on a regular basis a road map and action plan for post 2015 engagement. Identify key timelines for participation and required registration processes, and disseminate to members; Mobilize and coordinate Forum member participation in Post-2015 processes internationally to ensure representation in key events; Maximise opportunities for written submissions (statements), and to raise awareness of volunteering including via twitter and Facebook; Liaise with UNV on policy and practical issues that will enable maximum participation; Develop different sets of key messages on volunteerism for dissemination to Forum members and for media, NGO partners, governments in country, government representatives at UN missions and delegates to the UN; Coordinate with other international networks on media opportunities to communicate key messages and achievements in this work.  Coordinate with Task Force of volunteer organizations to ensure complementarity and expansion of outreach-track activities undertaken by Forum members – develop stories and share success (Forum newsletter, website, and member organizations websites); Mobilize other Volunteers involving Organizations and strategic stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will work with the UNV Post-2015 Liaison Analyst and report to the Chief of the UNV New York Office, the Project Manager for the post 2015 agenda, and to the chair of Forum’s Post-2015 Working Group, the intern will deliver on the tasks described below, and perform other duties as required, Particular emphasis will be given to developing and disseminating the Task Force’s shared position statements on volunteerism, supporting outreach and communication activities for the Task Force, and monitoring relevant meetings, notably the Second Committee of the General Assembly and the Post-2015 development agenda fora. Candidates must have an understanding of development policy issues concerning the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Rio+20 Conference and its outcome, and the processes Post-2015 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relevant thematic areas relating to these agendas. Candidates must also have an understanding of civil society organizations and their contributions to the UN in drafting policies. It will be the duty and responsibility of the Intern to identify opportunities for engagement and partnership development with other UN agencies, civil society, NGOs and the private sector concerning the development of the Post-2015 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The tasks are therefore as follows: Assist the Liaison Analyst of UNV Office in NY in monitoring UN policy developments that have implications for the Task Force and UNV, particularly the Post-2015 Agenda and Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee); Monitor, analyze and synthesize developments, press clippings and reports with regards to the relevant global policy frameworks and developments; Develop reports or policy briefs with reviews of practices, lessons learned, and recommendations on good practices in relation to the integration of volunteerism into the relevant policy frameworks;  Research, collect, analyze and edit documents related to evidence of volunteerism impact on development; Attend on behalf of the Task Force , civil society, inter-governmental, inter-agency and other meetings and tasks forces of direct relevance to  the  Rio+20 follow up, the Post-2015 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relevant thematic areas and prepare reports/minutes as requested; Assist in advocating for volunteerism in peace and development with other UN agencies, civil society, NGOs and the private sector concerning the Post-2015 Agenda; Maintain databases of contacts of constituencies; Perform other duties as required.  The intern is also expected to strengthen his/her knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism as well as the above-mentioned policy frameworks by referring to relevant documentation and publications.
Competencies
Core competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNV; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favouritism. Functional competencies:  Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision; Self-management and emotional intelligence; Excellent communication skills; High degree of organization and initiative; Ability to multi-task and work independently; Good research and writing skills; Strong interpersonal, communication/presentation and negotiation skills; Independent/motivated; Research ability; strategic, analytical and drafting abilities; Knowledge of volunteering issues and their link to social development, an asset.
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Background: Currently enrolled in the final stages of Master’s/postgraduate University programme in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, or related fields. Experience: Communications for development (C4D) and/or Campaigning for development issues; and/or partnership building and stakeholder consultations; and/or research and policy development; as well as experience in developing countries is desirable; and knowledge of the UN work environment an advantage. Volunteer experience an asset; Enthusiastic about the role of volunteerism and citizen participation in peace and development and ready to learn. Languages:  English proficiency both oral and written is required; Working knowledge of a least one other UN language desirable. General Terms and Conditions: UNDP Conditions of Service for interns (http://www.undp.org/internships/) apply for interns working for UNV The internship programme operates on a non-remunerative basis; Costs and arrangements for travel, visa are the responsibility of the intern. However Forum will sponsor the intern’s participation in the International Forum for Volunteering in Development Conference scheduled to be held in Peru in October 2014 if the intern completes 6 months of engagement; The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNV but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship; UNV accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship; Interns are required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage; Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and called for a motivational interview that will take place on an ongoing basis; A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;  A letter of recommendation from a professor;  A signed UNDP Internship Agreement;  A Medical Certificate of Good Health;  Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance;  Copy of passport and US Visa/ US Identity Card.
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.

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