Data Analysis Intern

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. 
 
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. 
   
UNDP Nature Hub is  the arrowhead of UNDP’s commitment to a “Nature Pledge” that aims to put nature at the heart of sustainable development. UNDP’s Nature Pledge for 2030 focuses on three systemic shift areas: value shift, economic and finance shift and policy and practice shift;  that are necessary to trigger accelerated and scaled action for achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).   

As part of the Nature Hub, the Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) team contribute to the Nature Pledge through the transformation of food and agricultural commodity systems into resilient, equitable, inclusive, environmentally, socially and economically sustainable systems. With a global portfolio invested in projects related to Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems and spread over 137 countries, UNDP seeks to promote a new paradigm for food and agricultural commodity systems that is based on diversified, resilient, agroecological systems and value chains which work simultaneously on achieving economic, environmental, social and health outcomes, with smallholders central to the transformation as the engine of economic development. 
 
The UNDP FACS Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team plays a key role in the delivery of the UNDP FACS strategy, through:  
i. Developing innovative, system-informed and participatory MEAL frameworks and tools (i.e., the Signals of Change Framework, and the Causality Assessment for Landscape Interventions), and promoting and supporting their adoption in the context of relevant projects, programmes and portfolios.
 
ii. Providing broader MEAL advice and support to initiatives in the UNDP FACS portfolio (e.g., on learning- focused approaches to monitoring and evaluation, qualitative and quantitative methods for outcome monitoring, and the wider development of logical frameworks), including through needs assessment, diagnostics, and co-creation of targeted solutions. 
 
iii. Encouraging sensemaking, learning and knowledge sharing on:  
a. Innovative, system-informed and/or participatory MEAL approaches for portfolios and interventions working with FACS, including through managing a dedicated community of practice, facilitating learning sessions, and compiling/developing and publishing emerging knowledge and insights;
b. How food and agricultural commodity systems change, and how development interventions can support a positive transformation, including through preparing and facilitating reviews at portfolio and initiative/project level.
 
iv. Gathering, processing, and sharing with relevant (internal and external) stakeholders the latest information on progress, achievements, risks, and challenges at portfolio level (this includes information on how gender mainstreaming and social and environmental safeguards are being addressed at all relevant levels), including to support decision-making, learning and communications at portfolio level, and comply with corporate and other reporting requirements.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Support in maintaining up-to-date information on progress, achievements, risks and challenges at portfolio level to support decision-making:

• Support gathering, processing and sharing the latest information on progress, achievements, risks and challenges at portfolio level (see FACS impact book).
• Support GCP phase II project management and coordination – incl. through developing and updating a risk monitoring plan, SES management measures, gender action plan and their integration in pillar workplans. 
• Support the follow up of deliverables of the ongoing research project with students at the University of Michigan, aimed at unpacking results from ongoing and past interventions aimed at promoting more sustainable commodity sectors through effective collaborative action. 
• Support the Systems Monitoring Learning and Evaluation initiative funded by the Gates Foundation as needed. 
• Support in the development/implementation of digital tools or dashboard to support data collection. 
• Support in any other reporting requirement. 

Support learning and knowledge sharing on system-informed MEAL approaches: 

• Support the coordination of learning sessions at project/initiative level and support learning reviews at portfolio level as relevant. 
• Support the member’s outreach and coordination of events of the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Community.

Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

(a) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor level or equivalent) in a relevant study area, such as environmental management, agriculture, sustainable development, economics, global development, social or political sciences, international relations, or any other related field, or

(b) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) such as environmental management, agriculture, sustainable development, economics, global development, social or political sciences, international relations, or any other related field, or

(c) Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in environmental management, agriculture, sustainable development, economics, global development, social or political sciences, international relations, or any other related field and. If selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

Experience:

• Experience in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation is an advantage;
• Experience with monitoring and reporting is an advantage;
• Experience with GIS and handling geospatial data is an advantage;
• Experience with developing dashboards in Excel, Power Bi, or other data visualization software is an advantage.
• Experience in programme management support and coordination is an advantage; 
• Experience in the preparation of (virtual) events and workshops is an asset.

IT skills:

• Mastery of MS Office package, especially Microsoft Excel;
• Experience with GIS and handling geospatial data is an advantage;
• Experience with developing dashboards in Excel, Power Bi or other data visualization software is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Spanish is an advantage.

Internship Conditions

Applicants should become familiar with the internship conditions prior to signing an internship agreement. For information visit www.undp.org/internships/ 

Institutional Arrangements

The intern will report to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Analyst.

Financial aspects, expenses and medical benefits

• UNDP will not pay for the internship but may provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance for the intern or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period. Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• UNDP is not responsible for any claims by an intern or third party in the case of loss or damage to property or death or personal injury as a result of actions or omissions on the part of the intern during the internship period.

Working conditions:

• When completing an in-person internship in a UNDP Office, interns must be provided with the workspace and equipment necessary to accomplish the activities related to the internship.
• When completing a remote internship, interns will be responsible for providing their own equipment, internet and communication access and work space.

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.  Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.

Important note:

• Interns are considered as gratis personnel. They are not staff members.
• Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
• Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Application

Please provide the following documents to be considered:

• CV.
• Motivational letter.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date.
• Letter of recommendation from a professor.
• Copy of his/her most recent school transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Completed UNDP internship application form.
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Proof of medical insurance.

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.