Internship Opportunity: Population and Development within Strategic Information and Data Management Portfolio

The Position:

Internship Opportunity:  Population and Development within Strategic Information and  Data Management Portfolio

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Purpose of the internship

UNFPA is seeking the services of an appropriately qualified intern to support Population Dynamics within the Strategic Information and Data Management portfolio of UNFPA work in South Africa. The intern will be responsible for supporting the country office Strategic information with respect to programme planning, coordination and reporting in line with the 5 th Country Programme Document Results Resource Framework to improve efficiencies within the country programme results. A particular focus will be on supporting the Demographic Dividend.
 

Population Dynamics programme:

Under the guidance of the UNFPA South Africa (SA) Programme Specialist: Strategic
Information and Data Management, the intern will render the following tasks:

• Provide support in planning and coordination inputs on Strategic Information Systems
  across country programme focus areas: Gender, SRHR, Adolescent and Youth and
  Population Development
•  Support the production of data on demographic change, sexual and reproductive health
  and rights (SRHR), gender social norms, measure the impact of interventions, and
  strengthen humanitarian data.
•  Assist with compiling background documentation for programme summaries, briefing
  notes, talking points, concept documents on the Population and Development portfolio
•  Assist in tracking progress of activities for the Population Development work plan,
  including supporting capacity building workshops, training, and logistics arrangements
  for participation in various forums as directed by programme specialist.
•  Provide support on analysis and evidence about current and emerging population and
  development trends, including SRHR and gender issues.

Additional Task:

• Monitoring and support of the FCDO activity implementation on mainstreaming
  Demographic Dividend in the three UNFPA supported provinces of South Africa.
• Performs any other duties as directed by the Strategic Information and Data
  Management Specialist and other management team members to ensure the success of
  the country programme.

Deliverables

• Monthly report on tasks carried out.

Organizational setting and Logistics

The intern is expected to work from the UNFPA South Africa in Pretoria. A desk, a landline
phone and internet connection will be made available at the Country Office for the duration of
the assignment. 

Competencies

6.1 Analytical Skills

• Excel skill, data analysis skills will be an added advantage. 
•  Excellent problem-solving skills
• Good researching and drafting skills
• Knowledge of demography, Statistics, social policy or a related field
• An excellent level of spoken and written English
• Knowledge of quantitative research methods and ability to work with data is an
  advantage

6.2 Communication:
 

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• A high level of motivation
• 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

6.3 Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from
  other
• Places team agenda before personal agenda
• Supports and acts in accordance with 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

6.4 Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see
  things from clients’ point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and
  respect
•  Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors on-going developments inside and outside the client’s’ environment to keep
  informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client
   

7. Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

a. Be enrolled in a relevant graduate school programme (second university degree or
equivalent, or higher); on Population Studies/ Demography/ Statistics/ Development Studies
Economics/Econometrics/Social Sciences/Mathematical Statistics
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a relevant first university degree program
(minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
c. Have a relevant first degree qualification with at least 1 year working experience

8. Financial aspects

Interns do receive a stipend from UNFPA. 

9.Intellectual Property

All information pertaining to this assignment (documentary, digital, cyber, project documents,
etc.) belonging to UNFPA, which the intern may come into contact with in the performance of
his/her, duties under this assignment shall remain the property of UNFPA who shall have
exclusive rights over their use.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.