Intern - Rule of Law and Human Rights at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Intern - Rule of Law and Human Rights

Location: Abuja
Type of Contract: Internship
Post Level: Intern
Starting Date: 01-Sep-2022
Duration of Initial Contract: 06 months
Expected Duration of Assignment: 06 months

Background

• UNDP Nigeria is supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria in identifying and exploring options for reforming the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
• Pursuant to this engagement, a Presidential Roadmap on Police Reform elaborates the overarching police transformation initiative has been developed and is awaiting Presidential approval. Significant to the reform process is the passage into law of the Police Act 2020 on September 16, 2020, providing a legislative framework to support the reform process guided by the principles of transparency and accountability and reinforce adherence to principles and standards of human rights.
• In ensuring that Nigeria can capitalise and seize upon these initial efforts towards reform of the NPF, UNDP is collaborating with the Chief of Staff has designed the Supporting Police Reform Processes in Nigeria (SPRPN) Project, which is aimed at supporting the long-term efforts of the Nigerian authorities to build a more effective, efficient and professional police service.
• The Police Reform Project shall utilise a multistakeholder approach to building the institutional capacity of the NPF to lead, manage and sustain the reform process.
• The Police Reform Project supports the convening of the Presidential Police Reform Panel (the Panel), which will act as a steering committee on Police Reform and will be led by the Nigerian government.
• A partners group comprising development partners and agencies working and engaging with the NPF will also be convened.
• The project has nine desired results (outputs) that will enable the achievement of the project objectives (outcomes).
• These outcomes will, in turn, contribute to the desired long-term overall objective (impact) of the Nigerian government to build a more effective, efficient and professional police service that is based upon and upholds the principles of accountability and transparency, respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including victims and the accused, and is a trusted partner that is responsive to community needs.

Objectives of Assignment

• The intern will work under the supervision of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Advisor in supporting the Police Reform Project in the Governance team in Nigeria. The intern will be an essential part of the team's daily work.
• The intern will provide monitoring support to ongoing activities and research and analysis of current police reform and security issues, provide coordination support and reinforce partnership in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing and implementing the Police Reform Project in UNDP Nigeria.
• Support the monitoring of project activities, including documenting lessons learnt and best practices at the field level.
• Support the preparation of communications materials, including talking points, human interest and success stories, social media materials etc.
• Support coordination activities, including planning meetings and documenting and disseminating minutes to partners in a timely manner.
• Provide research support and keep abreast of relevant stories and news pertaining to policing and security matters in Nigeria;
• Other relevant tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Competencies:
Functional Competencies:

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Proven record of interest and work in the development field;
• Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Research experience;

Professionalism:

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
• Ability to negotiate and influence others to reach an agreement;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, especially governance and peacebuilding;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments;
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve program or services;
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
• Thinks “outside the box”;
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
• Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology;
• Understands the applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
  • Be enrolled in a Postgraduate Degree programme (such as a master’s programme or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first University Degree programme (such as a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent);
  • Have recently graduated with a University Degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation;
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.
• Fields of study: Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, ICT, International Development, or other related fields

Experience:

• Social media account management and content development skills
• Good command of information and communication technology
• Grasp of issues affecting the Arab States region
• Paid or voluntary experience working with disability issues and human rights is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team

Languages:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. 

Application Closing Date
29th August, 2022 (Midnight New York, USA).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online