Internship - Human Development Report Office

Background

The mission of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is to advance human development. The goal is to contribute towards the expansion of opportunities, choice and freedom. HDRO works towards this goal by promoting innovative new ideas, advocating practical policy changes, and constructively challenging policies and approaches that constrain human development. HDRO works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, and outreach and advocacy work.

HDRO has established the internship programme to support the professional development of young scholars interested in the Human Development approach and current international development issues, by enhancing their analytical and statistical skills and broadening their conceptual perspectives.

The intern will contribute to 1/analysis of the reach and use of HDRO’s knowledge products, and 2/development of interactive data visualizations and data storytelling content for HDRO’s website.

The intern will also get opportunity to learn about the Human Development approach and current international development issues; and analyze and learn about different sources of data that are useful for the work of the office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the HDRO online/digital manager, the intern will perform the following tasks:

• Assist identifying and documenting methods and digital analytics for understanding the reach and influence of HDRO’s knowledge products and support the preparation of an impact page.
• Provide assistance and fresh and innovative insights in developing interactive data visualizations, country profiles, and dashboards using the human development data.
• Assist in quantitative and qualitative analysis of data, drafting insights and short data stories.
• Assist in proof reading and quality assurance.
• Support other activities as requested

Competencies

• Strong programming skills, and experience with common data science toolkits and methods
• Excellent data preparation, processing, modelling and visualization skills (familiarity with JavaScript and libraries, SQL and understanding of visual design principles is a plus)
• Ability to understand, and communicate complex data through storytelling and compelling data visualizations
• Familiarity with the Human Development concepts and indicators.
• Strong service and team-work orientation, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a fast-paced multi-national environment
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to learning
• Commitment to UNDP vision, mission and values and knowledge of UN work environment an advantage

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Currently enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. Program in Data Science, Data Visualizations, Data Journalism, Statistics, or related field.

Experience

• Previous experience in digital data projects, data visualizations or in communication for development.
• Familiarity with the Human Development concept is an asset.
• Experience with and knowledge of Excel, JavaScript, digital data, Stata, R and Python is an asset.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; competency in other UN languages is a strong asset.

Working arrangements

• As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes
• The intern is 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
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity
• The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract
• The interns will be responsible for providing his or her own laptop.