Internship vacancy with UN/ISDR

Background

UN/ISDR
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) endorsed the establishment of an institutional framework for its implementation consisting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) and the inter-agency secretariat (UN/ISDR secretariat).

The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters - adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes an expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at different operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

CADRI
The Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) was created in 2007 to succeed the UN Disaster Management Training Programme, which trained United Nations, government and civil society professionals for their disaster roles, between 1990-2006. As a new joint initiative prepared by UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction within the context of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) system, CADRI is the nucleus of a thematic platform for interests and institutions to enhance capacity for disaster risk reduction.

CADRI’s goal is to advance the generation of knowledge and related experience pertinent to developing sustainable capacity for disaster risk reduction, including advancing capacity development for the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action. For CADRI’s purposes, capacity development is defined as: “the process whereby people, organizations and society as a whole unleash, strengthen, create, adapt and maintain capacity over time.” (DAC 2005).

CADRI’s objectives are to:
-  Provide support ISDR system members at all levels to integrate capacity development as a cross-cutting element for disaster risk reduction.
-  Stimulate expanded collaboration, innovation and the wider access or exchange of experience amongst disaster risk reduction training providers and organizations.
-  Expand the mutual exchange of disaster risk reduction in higher education, academia and formalized learning through structured networking towards that end.
-  Assist selected countries to enhance their capacity to make disaster risk reduction a national priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation.
-  Enhance the capacity of the UN system at the country level to advance disaster risk reduction in the context of their ongoing work.

CADRI’s work is organized around four related service lines:
-  Service Line #1: Extended resource group from UN organizations and UN country offices have access to user guidance on integrating disaster risk reduction into CCA/UNDAF.
-  Service Line #2: UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinators understand their strategic roles for disaster risk reduction and have access to required guidance and tools to help them execute their roles.
-  Service Line #3: Selected high risk countries can effectively undertake their disaster roles, consistent with humanitarian coordination and disaster risk reduction principles.
-  Service Line #4: Global, interagency information repository established in CADRI.

The specific service areas for CADRI include: guidance and tools to integrate capacity development into disaster risk reduction, development of learning and training materials in support of the application of ISDR guidance, knowledge product development, facilitator training, knowledge exchange and networking, activities targeted at enhancing the capacity of Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams for their disaster related work, institutional development of regional organizations who have disaster training roles/ programmes.

Organizational setting and reporting relationship
The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland under the overall guidance of the Director. The Intern will report to the CADRI Coordinator of CADRI. Content and methodology of the supervision: CADRI Coordinator will supervise the work of the Intern. She will provide guidance and advise regarding the subject of capacity development for disaster risk reduction. The Intern will be expected to assist CADRI to deliver its capacity development services and organize and disseminate information about its available and provided services.

The Intern will be provided with the opportunity to familiarise with the work related to capacity development for disaster risk reduction of the three organisations that initiated CADRI: ISDR, UNDP/BCPR and OCHA. He/She will be expected to become familiar with disaster risk reduction issues and to contribute to the efficient implementation of relevant CADRI activities. The Supervisor will monitor and guide this work through regular feedback and periodic joint discussions and evaluations.

Duties and responsibilities
1. Support the organization and execution of CADRI activities:

-  Provide substantive and analytical support to CADRI Coordinator for different activities coordinated and carried out in the context of capacity development for disaster risk reduction.
-  Support in the creation for CADRI website and collect information, update and liase with the ISDR secretariat web master to ensure that CADRI web page is constantly updated.
-  Support information sharing, requests and remain in constant liaison with other United Nations agencies and NGOs.
-  Write-up and maintain concise summaries of the activities implemented for BCPR’s CPR newsletter, BCPR intranet, CADRI website reporting tools, etc..
-  Upon request compile thematic or country focused list of resources.
-  Support CADRI in managing the repository of training materials and ensure CADRI’s activities as a knowledge resource and repository are delivered, including maintaining and updating CADRI’s web page, undertaking research, organization of information and resource.
-  Provide substantive support to workshops, trainings, consultations, donor meetings and other meetings or conferences organized or supported by CADRI, including preparation of agendas, invitations, identifying participants, travel, preparation of documents, and presentations, etc..
-  Compile lessons learned on implemented activities.
-  Reproduce and disseminate training materials upon request.
-  Represent CADRI in meetings.

2. Management and Administrative support:

-  Participate in resource mobilization efforts.
-  Help managing CADRI’s internal files, including programme and training related materials, consultant/facilitator rosters.
-  Develop draft reports, background and concept papers, presentations, progress reports, promotional materials for CADRI.
-  Provide day-to-day backstopping for CADRI Programme Coordinator as requested.

Results expected
The intern is expected to deliver the following results:

-  Updates for CADRI website prepared.
-  Activity summaries for newsletters, websites, etc. developed.
-  Capacity development and country specific tools and resources researched and compiled.
-  Rosters/inventories of key resources/training providers on different DRR and capacity development topics researched and maintained.
-  Lessons learned on CADRI implemented activities developed.
-  CADRI’s internal files, including programme and training related materials, consultant/facilitator rosters, etc. organised.
-  Draft reports, background and concept papers, presentations, progress reports, promotional materials for CADRI developed.

Competencies
Professionalism: knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field; practical experience in project management and administration; good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; ability to conduct independent research, identify issues, formulate options to make recommendations; familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Independent judgement. Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally. Communications: Good communication skills, speaks and writes clearly and effectively including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style. Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals. Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field. Technology awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.

Qualifications
Education: Applicants must be currently enrolled in graduate/post graduate studies with experience in one of the following areas: Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Ecology, Development, International Relations, Economics, Information Management or Communications or a similar field strongly preferred.

Experience: Knowledge of and professional experience related to disaster reduction issues, such as development, environmental, social studies, international relations or project managing or training is an asset. Experience in a multicultural environment a plus.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN languages a plus.

Other desirable skills: Strong computing skills: Office package, knowledge of basic HTML a plus. Interest in disaster risk reduction issues.

General Information and Conditions Governing Ad Hoc Internships at the United Nations Office at Geneva with UN/ISDR

1. With the exception of the 2½-week “Graduate Study Programme”1 conducted yearly in July/August by the United Nations Information Service for an international group of outstanding young graduate students, the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) undertakes no formal obligation to provide internships or training. It may occasionally arrange ad hoc internships for graduate students specializing in a field related to the work of the United Nations. These internships are intended:

a) to promote among the participants a better understanding of international problems and to provide them an insight into the work of the United Nations; and
b) to provide departments with the able assistance of outstanding young students specializing in a field related to their own work.

2. Interns are selected from among applicants strongly supported by their schools or nominated by the Permanent Missions to the United Nations and in whom a department or office has expressed interest.

3. Interns are not paid. Acquisition of necessary visas, travel costs, travel arrangements and living accommodations are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions.

4. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship; the intern therefore has to have health-insurance coverage (obligation to submit a certificate of insurance policy valid in Switzerland).

5. While working at UN/ISDR, the interns are not considered in any respect as officials or staff members of the United Nations. However, they are normally expected to work full time like regular staff members and to carry out the duties assigned to them. They are bound by the same duties and obligations as regular staff members; they must, in particular, keep confidential any and all unpublished information obtained by them during the course of the internship and not publish any reports or papers on the basis of such information except with the express authorization of the United Nations.

Any work produced by interns during their internship within the framework of the duties assigned to them should be used for academic purposes exclusively. All economic and moral rights (copyright) pertaining to such work will remain the exclusive property of the United Nations.

6. Internships carry no expectancy of employment by the United Nations and the intern cannot apply for or be appointed to any position with the United Nations during the period of internship and for the six months immediately following the expiration of the internship.

7. The intern will provide notice in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, which might prevent him or her from completing the internship.