Development Coordination Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The organization operates in various countries around the world, with a focus on sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. The UN employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with numerous partners to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Development Coordination Associate position is designed to provide comprehensive support to the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This role involves working closely under the supervision of the Head of RCO, with guidance from the Data Management Officer and the Economist. The primary focus of this position is to assist in the inception and coordination of inputs towards the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2028-2032, emphasizing cross-cutting programming principles. Additionally, the associate will contribute to the analytical work required for the 2025 joint UN Sri Lanka Country Analysis, utilizing innovative methodologies such as Horizon Scanning and Foresight Analysis. The position also entails supporting the RCO's daily coordination activities, which include policy analysis, inter-agency initiatives, organizing workshops and events, and contributing to public information materials. The associate will be responsible for preparing a variety of documents, including briefing notes, meeting summaries, and communication products, while also providing administrative assistance for RCO activities as needed. This internship is in-person and full-time, requiring interns to work five days a week for a total of 37.5 hours. It is important to note that interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations, and they are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and living expenses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Development Coordination Associate will have a range of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Assisting in the coordination of inputs for the UNSDCF 2028-2032, ensuring alignment with cross-cutting programming principles.
• Contributing to the analytical work for the 2025 joint UN Sri Lanka Country Analysis, employing innovative methodologies such as Horizon Scanning and Foresight Analysis.
• Supporting the RCO's daily coordination mandate, which includes policy analysis and inter-agency initiatives.
• Organizing workshops and events to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders.
• Preparing a wide range of documents, including briefing notes, meeting summaries, and public information materials.
• Providing administrative assistance for RCO activities as required.
• Engaging in additional duties as assigned to support overall office priorities.
• Collaborating with team members and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following qualifications to be considered for the Development Coordination Associate position: a) Enrollment in, or completion of, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or b) Enrollment in, or completion of, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent); or c) A Bachelor's or Master's degree (completed or in progress) in fields such as international relations, sustainable development, political science, business administration, or a related area. While professional work experience is not mandatory for this internship, having experience and skills in relevant areas will be advantageous, including familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's development mandate, first professional experience in the public or private sector (preferably in an international context), research and analysis experience related to sustainable development, excellent writing skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Development Coordination Associate position includes:

• Enrollment in or completion of a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Alternatively, candidates may be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent).
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree (completed or in progress) in relevant fields such as international relations, sustainable development, political science, business administration, or a related discipline is essential.

Experience:
While applicants are not required to have professional work experience to be eligible for the internship, having relevant experience will be considered an advantage. This may include familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals, experience in research and analysis, particularly in the context of sustainable development, and any prior professional experience in either the public or private sector, ideally within an international environment.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. Additionally, knowledge of other languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations. All costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Sri Lanka may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. It is crucial for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Furthermore, it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.