Internship, Data Analysis and Report Synthesis with UNDP RBAS in NY, USA (Office-Based)

Background

Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in line with the priorities outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan, the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) supports the Arab States region to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development, and building resilience to crises and shocks. Within this work, the Regional Bureau for Arab States responds to needs across development settings including Least Developed Countries, Middle Income Countries, Net Contributor Countries and countries affected by crisis, with a view to support the building of resilience, fight climate change, leverage the promise of innovation, and prioritize the advance of women, youth and vulnerable groups as part of its commitment to the principles of universality, equality and leaving no one behind in an increasing challenging regional context which has been further impacted by various crises.

RBAS supports partners in the region to develop integrated, transformative, and scalable solutions to tackle the interconnected challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and exclusion, in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. The team assists in enhancing prospects for inclusive growth, jobs and livelihoods at national and local levels, including through economic recovery and resilience-building in crisis and post crisis contexts, focusing on empowering women and youth, and advancing opportunities for the most vulnerable. It also supports research, policy, and program guidance around: macroeconomic stability, private and financial sectors, fiscal policy and public finance management, economic transformation, social protection, women economic empowerment, urban and digital economy, etc.

The intern will report to the Strategic Initiatives Advisor in RBAS New York and will support the work on policy and research, including the Arab Human Development Report (AHDR) and ongoing socio-economic analyses examining the implications of conflicts and other shocks for growth, employment, poverty, inequality and human development in the Arab States region.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Research and analysis: Conducting data collection, desk reviews of existing

research and literature on one or two of the areas that the inclusive growth team is currently working on (namely, macroeconomics, public finance management, social protection, informality, labor market, poverty and inequality, private sector development (including micro, small and medium enterprises), SDG financing).

• Policy Brief Development: Assist in the drafting and preparation of policy

briefs, technical notes, and economic assessments tailored for regional stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Advanced Quantitative Analysis: Support the team by conducting quantitative

data analysis using reliable sources and tools to identify and visualize regional economic trends.

• Event and Dialogue Support: Provide logistical and substantive support in

organizing regional consultations, webinars, and other forums related to inclusive growth and economic development.

• Regional Monitoring: Regularly monitor and summarize macroeconomic

indicators, ongoing socio-economic developments, and policy shifts across the Arab States region to inform the team's ongoing programmatic work.

• Knowledge Management: Assist in maintaining and updating internal databases,

knowledge repositories, and community-of-practice platforms with the latest research and data findings.

• Assist in the development: of new or ongoing initiatives, including review of

policy literature in respect to the subject to enhance UNDP programming in the relevant field within the Arab Region.

• Document good practices: Including cases studies, innovations and pilot

models for wider dissemination and sharing.

• Concept notes: Prepare conceptual framework / concept notes on new areas of

work or development challenges.

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 analytical and research skills using state of the art quantitative

analytical tools such as STATA, R;

• Research experience;
• Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in

researching the region;

Professionalism

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical

expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;

• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Shows pride in work and in achievement;
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter,

especially economic development and resilience;

• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines

and achieving results;

• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the

equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;

• Takes responsibility for incorporating the perspective of youth and ensuring

the equal participation of young people as in all areas of work.

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 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 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 honor 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 own 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 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

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