Job Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build better lives. In line with its mandate to strengthen research, knowledge generation, and evidence-based policy and development approaches, UNDP Malawi engages interns on a needs basis to support its programme and operational work. These engagements provide an opportunity for young graduates and emerging professionals to gain exposure to real-world development challenges while contributing to ongoing initiatives across key thematic areas. Interns are assigned based on specific unit requirements and institutional priorities at a given time.
Through these engagements, interns are able to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, while UNDP benefits from additional analytical, research, and operational support.
Objectives
The Internship Engagements Aim To
- Provide young graduates with practical experience in areas such as international development, governance, public policy, gender equality, public administration, human rights, and sustainable development.
- Strengthen the application of academic knowledge through exposure to real-world programme implementation and policy processes.
- Promote learning, collaboration, and professional development.
- Enhance the employability of young professionals by equipping them with relevant technical and workplace skills.
- Support UNDP Malawi’s programme delivery through targeted contributions aligned to unit needs.
- Contribute to UNDP’s mandate to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through knowledge, capacity development, and policy support.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Partnerships and Ecosystem Engagement: Establish and sustain strategic engagement with creative sector actors in Malawi, including youth creatives, industry associations, private sector, and development partners, to identify collaboration and partnership opportunities aligned with UNDP priorities
- Policy and Advocacy: Support policy dialogue and advocacy efforts on the creative economy, including intellectual property (IP), formalization and monetization Engage government counterparts and stakeholders to strengthen enabling policy and regulatory environments
- Knowledge Management and Learning: Document, package, and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and success stories to inform programme design, scaling, and resource mobilisation
- Programme Development and Implementation: Support the design and operationalisation of programmes targeting youth in the creative sector, including capacity-building initiatives, innovation challenges, and enterprise development interventions that respond to market needs
- Support efforts to design avenues and pathways for incubating and accelerating creative sector start-ups, venture builders, and talent pipelines across strategic value chains
Competencies
- Interest and motivation in working in an international organization
- Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation
- Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set
- Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
- Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Education
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum: Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree Or Possess a Bachelors Degree in Arts, International Affairs, International Development Studies, Project Management, Social Sciences, or related field, within the first year of graduation. Or Be enrolled for a Masters Degree in the same areas
Experience
- Knowledge of the opportunities in the orange economy and youth entrepreneurship ecosystems
- Familiarity with incubating and building creative sector enterprises
- Understanding in designing creative sector development programs
- Familiarity with intellectual property/monetization frameworks and creative sector dynamics
- Programme/project management and coordination skills
- Stakeholder engagement and partnership building
- Research and analytical skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members.
Language skills
- English required;
- Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
Internship Conditions
- UNDP Interns receive a monthly stipend (amount depends on duty station). However, Travel, accommodation, visas, and living costs are the responsibility of the intern
- 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.
- Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed
- Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship. Internship Terms of Reference, January 2018 UNDP Office of Human Resources, Bureau for Management Services
- Selected candidates for in-person internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For interns that are neither national nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which: (a) (b) Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment. Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.
- 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.
Disclaimer
Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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