Operations Intern (Turkish Nationals Only)

Corporate Background:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Internship and Office Background: 

Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is one of the UNDP’s six Global Policy Centers. ICPSD supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. ICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world. 

ICPSD offers internship opportunities for outstanding graduate-level students. The Programme operates under the rules and regulations of the UNDP Internship Policy.

ICPSD is seeking a dedicated and proactive intern to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a diverse and dynamic team in Istanbul, Türkiye. The intern will play a crucial role in Supporting Deputy Director in administrative tasks and organizing archive. 

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and in close coordination with the Administrative Associate, the intern will provide operational support in administrative functions, procurement, human resources areas. 

The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience with UNDP’s operational procedures and systems, and will have the opportunity to contribute to UNDP’s mission of promoting sustainable development, while also deepening their understanding of procurement, human resources, finance, and administrative functions in an international development context. Additionally, the internship will offer valuable experience working in a multicultural team within the UN system. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the intern will be to support the implementation of various administrative functions at UNDP ICPSD. The main duties will include the following:

• Support the development of operational procedure guidelines to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance with internal standards.
• Assist with the preparation and processing of administrative documents and correspondence.
• Assisting in arranging shipment of goods, publications and correspondence as may be required.
• Support asset inventory updates and filing.
• Help maintain organized digital and physical filing systems.
• Support meeting arrangements, including scheduling, room bookings, preparation of materials, and note-taking as needed.
• Maintain files and records related to the day-to-day office management.
• Assist in the preparation of informal translations and acting as interpreter when necessary.
• Assist in the facilitation of timely documents submission for visa and residence permit issuance by the Turkish MFA.
• Support with the mail correspondence with travel agencies on the ticket reservations, issuance, amendment, and cancellation as may be required.
• Assist in the organization of national and international conferences, workshops, retreats, missions as well as high-level and working level meetings, including venue reservation, arrangement of catering, ICT and interpretation services, etc. 
• Other relevant tasks as deem necessary by the supervisor.

Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:

Field of study required:

Public Administration, Business, International Relations, Tourism Management, Library, Archive and Information

Eligibility:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program

Experience:

• Previous experience in administration or operations is desired but not a requirement.. 
• Experience within a national or international non-profit organization is an asset. 
• Social media account management and content development skills are desirable.

Technical Competencies:

• Proficiency Microsoft 365 tools is required.
• Familiarity with SharePoint and its core functionalities is required.
• Understanding of web development practices is an advantage.
• Digital literacy, including Microsoft Suite, Canva, online tools and applications is an asset.
• Strong editing and visual design skills, including for social media are required; knowledge of web publication tools and photo editing tools is an asset.
• Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills; 

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues while meeting deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills: being able to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, being able to work independently, being pro-active and taking initiative;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Language:

• Strong spoken and written English is required;
• Strong spoken and written Turkish is required;
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Other Competencies and Attitude:

• Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision, and values;
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age differences;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.

Financial Issues

Interns will be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if they are not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.

The monthly amount of the stipend will be determined for each duty station based on the stipend rates published yearly by the OHR Policy and Compensation Unit. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Application Procedure

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming your education status;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Main Internship Conditions

• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship
• Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy: the stipend is to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

More information about the internship is available at: http://www.undp.org/internships/.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.