Duration: 3 or 6 months
Background
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. For this purpose, UNFPA supports sexuality education and information; access to contraception, including condoms to protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; and access to health care during pregnancy and childbirth. UNFPA also promotes programmes targeted at eliminating female genital mutilation and child marriage.
Objective of the Internship Programme
The internship will be beneficial to the intern as well as to UNFPA ESARO. The internship should familiarize the intern with UNFPA as well as with the overall UN system and with its multidimensional activities in the region. The placement should further add practical knowledge and skills to the intern’s theoretical knowledge of international development issues.
Interns can bring new, refreshing ideas/thoughts to the organization. Moreover, they can contribute by keeping the organization self-reflective and critical of its own performances. Therefore, UNFPA ESARO will also benefit from the wide variety of academic knowledge, professional experience and personal creativity of the intern.
Nature of Assignment
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the International Operations Manager, the Finance Intern will provide administrative support to the Operations Unit in the following areas.
1. Administrative
2. Finance/Travel
3. Other support
The intern will be involved to the greatest possible extent in substantive office activities and could also add valuable contribution in preparations to specific or incidental activities such as forums, exhibitions or workshops.
The intern will attend weekly staff meetings and will be provided with all opportunities to acquire deeper insight into the functioning of UNFPA.
Qualifications
Candidates for the internship programme are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants should have expressed interest in the field of Finance and Administrative.
Applicants should be able to adapt to new environments and work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
The following qualifications are required for consideration:
● Applicants should be enrolled in an advanced degree programme or have recently graduated;
● Written and spoken proficiency in English, and working knowledge in second UN official language is an asset;
● Good analytical skills (including the ability to succinctly summarize findings in written briefs, reports, etc);
● Attention to detail, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Administrative:
· Support the review and organizing of the filing/archiving system for all related areas in Operations.
· Support colleagues with asset management system – tagging of assets and attractive items, update asset assignment documentation
2. Finance/Travel
· Value Added Tax (VAT)
o Follow-up and comply with VAT documentation requirements and time limits for submission set by the local tax authority (South African Revenue Services)
o Submit a reimbursement claim on a timely basis to SARS
o Reconcile VAT account to reimbursement claim submitted and/or received from SARS on a regular basis
· Support in following up on the travel reports including F10s with the technical advisors and review the completeness of the submitted documentation.
3. Other support
· Ensure appropriate support is provided to all members of the operations unit as needed.
A specific work plan with intended achievements and learning outcomes for the duration of the Internship will be agreed upon between the intern and the Regional Office.
Learning Elements
Upon completion of the internship the Intern should have gained:
1. Increased understanding of the UN system and internal policies and procedures of UNFPA;
2. Understanding of the UNFPA mandate and policies;
3. Competences in writing and formulating UN project related documents;
4. Networking skills;
5. The ability to work as a team member in a multicultural setting;
The internship is intended to provide an opportunity to the position holder to get exposed to international development work, through UNFPA supported programmes. The internship will provide an opportunity for working in a cross-cultural team and engage in partnerships with government and other key stakeholders.
The purpose of the internship is to complement studies and career development. The granting of internship does not entail in any way the right to an extension thereof nor to employment within UNFPA.
Organizational setting and intern mentorship
The intern is expected to work from the UNFPA ESARO main office in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, South Africa as part of the OPERATIONS UNIT. Mentorship will be provided to the intern from the members of the Operations Unit, with main supervision by Mark Hutchinson, and will collaborate with other units of the regional office and country offices as and when needed.
Logistics
This is an unpaid, voluntary internship. All interns are expected to cover costs such as travel from home to duty station and back, as well as accommodation and food for the duration of the internship programme.
It is highly advisable that the intern bring his/her own laptop, adaptors, and cell phone (with local SIM card) for use during the assignment period.
UNFPA does not accept responsibility for medical insurance. Interns will ensure they carry appropriate medical and life insurance coverage for the entire period of the internship and take responsibility of any visa requirements.
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit their application, including CV, P11 and cover letter, before the end of the deadline via email to: jobs.esaro@unfpa.org