Intern

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) operates globally, focusing on poverty eradication and resilience. In Lao PDR, UNDP is a key development partner in the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) sector, co-chairing the working group and supporting national institutions like NRA and UXO Lao. This work aligns with SDG 18 and national development plans, addressing UXO contamination's impact on poverty. The intern will join the Inclusive Growth Unit's UXO portfolio team.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this internship is to provide comprehensive support to the UNDP UXO portfolio team within the Inclusive Growth Unit in Lao PDR. The intern will contribute to critical monitoring and evaluation, communications, coordination, and knowledge management activities. This role is instrumental in advancing the project's objectives, which are directly aligned with Lao PDR's National Socio-Economic Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 18, "Lives Safe from Unexploded Ordnance." Given that Lao PDR is the world's most heavily bombed country, UXO contamination significantly hinders agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and tourism, trapping many rural communities in poverty. The intern's contribution will help strengthen strategic partnerships, institutional capacities, and resource mobilization efforts aimed at mitigating these severe impacts. This position offers practical experience in development programming and donor reporting within a vital humanitarian and development context, supporting UNDP's broader mission to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities.

Responsibilities

The intern will primarily support the UXO portfolio through comprehensive sector analysis and project implementation. This encompasses assisting with the overall execution of program activities, facilitating crucial engagements with government counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders, and actively contributing to the preparation of concept notes and funding proposals to secure resources. The role also involves supporting various outreach and advocacy events, alongside contributing to robust knowledge management by systematically collecting and analyzing relevant information within the UXO sector. A significant portion of the responsibilities will focus on research and communication. This entails drafting a wide array of reports and documents, such as detailed progress reports, concise briefing notes, policy notes, and official remarks for the UXO portfolio. The intern will also support the project implementation team with essential monitoring and evaluation tasks and develop diverse communication materials, including impactful presentations, data visualizations, compelling case studies, engaging blogs, social media posts, press releases, and informative newsletters, all designed to promote UNDP's vital work. Furthermore, the intern will assist in the development of knowledge products and advocacy materials. Additionally, the intern will provide essential administrative support, covering logistics, scheduling meetings, meticulous note-taking, and maintaining organized online records and documents. This also includes facilitating outreach activities on policy areas, such as human development report launches. Ad-hoc support for other relevant activities will also be required as needed.

Work Experience

No specific prior work experience is explicitly required for this internship, as it is designed for candidates to gain practical experience in development programming and donor reporting within an international organizational context.

Skills

IT: Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; experience with web-based management systems is an advantage. Languages: Excellent English (spoken and written); knowledge of Lao and other UN languages is an advantage. Competencies: Strong analytical skills, effective communication, organizational abilities, initiative, goal-oriented mindset, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, positive attitude, and responsiveness to feedback.

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