UNDP Internship for AIS Forum Secretariat (Home-Based) – International Applicants from Africa Region (Stipend Provided)

Application Deadline: March 15th 2021

Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) around the globe face common development challenges that inhibit their ability to live prosperously and grow sustainably. Many are facing existential threats that include climate change, natural disasters, marine pollution, marine plastic debris, unsustainable fisheries, and ocean (un)sustainability. Failing to protect our oceans and address climate change will have catastrophic social and economic effects for people around the world.

Irrespective of their size and development, AIS have geographic circumstances that create unique development challenges and opportunities. The oceans and seas around AIS, constitute a much larger area than their inland territory, especially when Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves, and extended continental shelves are considered. However, AIS have differing levels of dependence on the marine environment.

After a sideline discussion on the 5th of June 2017 at the Ocean Conference in New York City, a follow-up Conference on the Archipelagic and Island States Forum was held in Jakarta on the 21st – 22nd of November 2017. This resulted in a common understanding among participating countries that a forum could be an innovative vehicle for effectively addressing climate change and marine issues. In addition, the forum would be a concerted response to SDG 14: the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. It is the agreed position of participating countries that the AIS Forum (“the Forum”) can be influential in mitigating climate change and the pursuit of social and economic sustainability. The Forum will create a space for financing innovative solutions and technologies, as well as engendering collaboration between stakeholders.

The AIS Forum is designed to include island states and archipelagic countries regardless of their location, size, and level of development. There are regional initiatives that allow island states to connect with and aid one another. However, a global initiative that brings together all AIS is yet to exist. The AIS Forum will create a unique grouping of nations to address the challenges of sustainable ocean resource use, climate change resilience, ocean pollution, emergency management, and sustainable fisheries.

At the moment, AIS project performs 3 main programs namely, (1) entrepreneurship, (2) research & development, (3) partnership and international collaboration.

The intern will support the implementation of those 3 programs and undertake the following tasks:

1. Assist AIS Secretariat team members in compiling relevant contacts and creating a database of AIS’ stakeholders for Africa region.
2. Support AIS Secretariat team members in implementing of AIS program including the preparation the events, development the program activities, and providing data for writing AIS program documents.
3. Support AIS team members in conducting social media and website management tasks especially for Africa region contents (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn).

Summary of key responsibilities:

• To assist AIS team members in conducting research to identify relevant contacts and stakeholders in Middle East, Mediterranean and Europe region.
• To assist AIS team members in analyzing and developing AIS programs and initiative.
• To provide support to the AIS Secretariat cluster’s seminars, workshops, conferences, where applicable and follow-up of key events, including Task Force, Senior Officials’ or Inter-Ministerial Meetings.

Outputs

At the end of the internship, the intern is expected to have the following outputs:

1. Improved capacity and experiences in desk research, project management and program development
2. Improved capacity, experiences and understanding in climate change mitigation adaptation, marine plastic debris, good maritime governance and blue economy issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications are required:

• Candidate with postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); or in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); or have recently graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation in the area of Social Sciences, International Relations, Environment Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Marine Studies, or related fields
• Or Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
• Knowledge of/proven interest in marine issues.
• Currently resides and is a citizen of Cabo Verde/Comoros/Guinea Bissau/Madagascar/Mauritius/Sao Tome and Principe/Seychelles

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in English, spoken and written
• Demonstrable skills in analytical thinking, communication, and research

Learning Expectations:

Upon completion of the assignment, the intern will have/be able to:

1. A deepened understanding of overall international development practice, particularly of the UN system, as well as approaches that the UN employs to translate its global values and the spirit of the practical work.
2. Sharpened skills and experiences in analysis in the area of AIS cooperation.
3. Acquired an in-depth understanding of (inter-)governmental processes and business community in the region.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AIS Forum Secretariat Internship