UNDP Economics Internship Programme 2020 for young South Africans

Application Deadline: May 15th 2020

The UNDP country office in South Africa supports the government of South Africa in achieving its development goals outlined in the National Development Plan 2030 as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNDP country office’s activities are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2013-2020), the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021), and the UNDP South Africa Country Programme Document (2013-2020). UNDP’s country programmes seek to contribute to South Africa’s social and economic transformational aspirations from policy support to implementation. UNDP brings knowledge of global best practices to South Africa through flagship knowledge reports including the Human Development Reports. 

Under the guidance of the RR and direct supervision of the Senior Economist, PSPU, the intern will support the economic analysis for the country office’s policy support and programme development. The intern will provide inputs to the National Human Development Report focusing on unemployment and compile data and analysis for reports that advises management on macroeconomic policies, trends and relevant linkages with topical emerging issues in South Africa. The intern will provide relevant statistical analysis and support for the formulation of economic strategies and briefings to management. The intern will also support the implementation of UNDP’s youth employment programme. The interns advocate for the SDGs, represents UNDP in meetings, and takes minutes as requested by his/her supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Support Senior Economist to compile, collate and analyze economic and development issues, including the development of the National Human Development report on unemployment;
2. Support as well as initiate research work to support policy content of programme, including UNDP’s youth employment programme;
3. Advocacy and promotion of the SDGs and UNDP’s mandate and mission.

1. Provides support to PSPU, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, providing thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country;
• Support the development and launch of economic reports, including the National Human Development Report on unemployment;
• Provide statistical analysis on economic issues in the country and the development of relevant graphs and visuals;
• A.O.B as assigned.

2. Provides support to UNDP’s programme implementation in the Inclusive Growth unit:

• Collect and analyze information for programme development for the UNDP youth entrepreneurship programme;
• Provide assistance to programme implementation and monitoring where requested.

3. Advocacy and promotion of awareness of UNDP mandate and mission focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Advocate and support the localization of the SDGs through research, preparing presentations and by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings. 
• Support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the SDGs.
• Support management of events and publications on economic issues.

Impact of Results 

The key results of the post are to expose and strengthen the intern’s awareness and capacity in the following:

• UNDP’s mandate and contributions to the national policy dialogue;
• Enhance macroeconomic analytical skills;
• Enhance official writing skills;
• SDGs advocacy and monitoring.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Interest and familiarity with development issues including sustainable economic development and poverty reduction;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to provide quality policy notes and briefs on economic issues;
• Good research and data management skills;
• Statistical and analytic skills.

Education:

• Minimum first-level degree in Economics.

Experience:

• No work experience necessary but must be eager and proactive;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and statistical analysis of data such as SPSS, Eviews, STRATA;
• Understanding and familiarity with the SDGs, HDR and other economic policies related to social development would be advantageous.

Computer Skills:

• Good.

Language:

• Proficiency in English and working knowledge of at least one local language.

Intern requirements:

• UNDP interns receive payment of a monthly stipend based on the rate established by the duty station
• UNDP interns accrue leave at a rate of 1.5 days per month;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
• Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies (if still enrolled);
• Interns need to make own arrangements for travel, VISA, accommodation, etc

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNDP Economics Internship Programme 2020