Chad: RSS Coordination Intern

Sep 20, 2020 | UNDP
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The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations and advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves.

Background

Over the last decade, the four riparian countries of Lake Chad (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), have been experiencing various challenges, exacerbated by repeated incidences of violence from the Boko Haram terrorist group. In response to the crisis, the four affected countries and Benin Republic, in 2015, resolved to contribute troops, with the support of the African Union Commission (AUC), for the reorganization and operationalization of the Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram. Despite the significant progress made by the MNJTF, there is a consensus by all concerned stakeholders that overall success of the collective effort will be contingent upon the implementation of overall stabilization programme by the by the affected countries.

To achieve this, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in partnership with AUC and support from UNDP, developed a ‘Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery & Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin’ (RSS). The RSS was adopted by the LCBC Council of Ministers on 30 August 2018 and endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on 5 December 2018. The RSS provides a comprehensive, integrated and multi-level framework for overall stabilization through nine inter-related pillars which include military support to the MNJTF, provision of humanitarian assistance and key interventions to secure early recovery and long-term resilience. The RSS embeds the nexus between security, humanitarian and development issues in the Lake Chad Basin and calls for a “New Way of Working” that recognises the critical role of different stakeholders and the imperative for coordination amongst stakeholders at the local, national, regional as well as continental level including international partners, civil society actors and the private sector.

Many of the actions required to implement the RSS must be designed and implemented at the national and local levels; these actions will be articulated notably through the eight Territorial Action Plans (TAPs). However, the LCBC and the AUC recognize that a) many efforts on the ground need support from - and can be amplified by interventions at the regional level; and b) several results of the RSS are regional in nature and require regional level action. As a result, a Regional Action Plan (RAP) for 2020/21 articulates a set of prioritized actions that need to be implemented at the regional level in order to contribute to the realization of the RSS objectives.

Considering this context, the RSS Regional Task Force is established since 29 April 2020 to provide overall operational coordination in the implementation of the RAP and to serve as the technical committee for the RSS Steering Committee. The RTF is composed of the technical experts (one representative and one alternate) appointed by the regional bureaus and organizations working in the Lake Chad affected areas of the Boko-Haram crisis.

For effective coordination of interventions and technical support, the RSS Regional Task Force includes 3 thematic Pillars’ Clusters, aligned with the 9 RSS pillars of intervention  as well as the UN Country Frameworks for Assistance, the AU Sahel Strategy and the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, namely: 1) Governance; 2) Development and Humanitarian; and 3) Security and Protection. These 3 Clusters were launched on 19 August 2020 and bring together the RSS Regional Task Force members around the 3 above mentioned thematic areas and the related RSS pillars of intervention with a view to enabling the RSS Regional Task Force’s tasks performance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme and M&E Specialist and in close collaboration with the staff of the LCBC RSS Secretariat based in N’Djamena, Chad, the Coordination Intern will support day-to-day secretariat for the RSS Regional Task Force and its 3 thematic Pillars’ Clusters. The Coordination Intern is expected to learn about regional efforts for stabilization, resilience and recovery in the Lake Chad basin in support to the LCBC RSS.

S/he will perform the following tasks, in addition to other duties that may be assigned:

Coordination and Secretariat Support:

  • Maintain an up-to-date database of RSS Regional Task Force members, support membership vetting, including the members of the 3 Pillars’ Clusters, and manage related mailing lists;
  • Contribute to the follow-up of the actions and recommendations from the Pillars’ Clusters launch event;
  • Support the preparation, holding and follow-up of the bi-annual RSS Regional Task Force meeting.

Reporting:

  • Support a mapping exercise with the 3 thematic Pillars’ Clusters of regional and cross-border initiatives in the region for the implementation of the RSS;
  • Contribute to the production of guidance and templates to ensure that planned and implemented initiatives are in line with the RSS and duly reported;
  • Prepare written inputs for internal and external reports and communication products as requested.

Knowledge Management:

  • Support consultative processes to ensure a successful performance of the RSS Secretariat and the RSS Regional Task Force, including through surveys, questionnaires, online and desk research;
  • Facilitate sharing of information and knowledge among the RSS Secretariat and the RSS Regional Task Force members;
  • Ensures appropriate documentation and archive of RSS Regional Task Force related performance.
  • Other duties as assigned, including cross team tasks as required.

Competencies

Corporate:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s ideals, values and ethical standards;
  • Demonstrates keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and has a personal commitment to UNDP's Mission;
  • Shows willingness to work in a dynamic team, bringing a solution-oriented and innovative approach.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity.

Technical:

  • Proves good communication, drafting and analytical skills;
  • Understands the concepts and mechanisms of international development cooperation and is aware of the development challenges for fragile contexts and areas experiencing complex crisis;
  • Demonstrates a specific interest in the Lake Chad basin context and the work of regional organizations;
  • Is computer literate in standard software applications and Office package;
  • Coordination and organizational skills: ability to manage multiple projects, address fluctuating priorities and tight deadline;
  • Analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
  • Field of study: International development, international relations, economics, political science, social sciences or related.

IT skills:

  • Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
  • Some familiarity with graphic design software or web-based tools in an asset.

Language skills:

  • Fluency in English, both oral and written.
  • Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an advantage.

Intern requirements:

  • Applicants should indicate which months they are available part and/or full time and when they complete their studies;
  • UNDP internship programme does a monthly stipend for the internship period;
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • 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;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • The Intern is expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for his/her education programme;
  • The intern will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation etc.;
  • Additional information regarding the UNDP Internship Programme may be obtained at http://www.undp.org/internships.