UNDP’s initiative in Cyprus, Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-ACT), offers a small group of outstanding university students the opportunity to acquire experience working as Interns in the United Nations system.
Objective:
The programme will help successful applicants to gain a greater understanding of UNDP’s development policies and thematic priorities.Interns shall work in the areas of democratic governance and civil society; sustainable development and the environment; communications; education; and conflict resolution, and other areas related to the work of the ACT programme.In so doing they acquire practical experience in various aspects of project management in an international work environment, the work of UNDP and, in particular, the specialised work of UNDP-ACT in Cyprus.
What to expect:
Work in a UNDP project office and exposure to the UN system and operations. Typical tasks performed by the students include:
- conducting research;
- writing documents;
- cataloguing information;
- assisting in the organization of conferences, forums or other collaborative events; and
- publishing knowledge stories/best practices.
The purpose of UNDP’s internship programme is to:
- provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNDP offices, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments;
- expose them to an international environment;
- expose them to work of the Organization with the objective of deepening their knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s goals, principles and activities; and
- provide UNDP offices with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.
Assignments may vary in length, according to availability and academic requirements as well as the needs of the centre. Preference is given to applicants who stay for 6 weeks or more.UNDP-ACT may offer part-time or full-time (3 days/week, 5 days/week) internships throughout the year.
There should be NO expectation of employment at the end of the Internship. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of the Internship.
Eligibility Criteria:
The following minimum qualifications are required:
Enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme (second university degree or higher) at the time of application and during the internship, in a development-related field such as conflict resolution, economics, international relations, sociology, public or business administration sciences or environmental studies.
Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Greek or Turkish is an asset.
Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft Office applications).
Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Please note that a candidate graduating before the internship period begins is not eligible.
Additional Qualities:
- Good writing skills
- Internet research skills
- Ability to handle and interpret data
- Processing and analysing data, producing tables and figures
Financial Aspects:
The Internship programme operates on a non-salaried basis. The subsistence and travel costs connected with the Internship programme must be borne by interns or by other institutions. Interns are responsible for arranging their own travel to Cyprus, health and medical insurance, and accommodation.
Applicants for internship must sign a “Conditions governing the internship” form before they arrive in Cyprus.
UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.
If work-related travel within the country is requested by UNDP during the internship period, per diem and travel shall be paid by UNDP.
Accommodation:
A student hostel (English type: bedroom with bathroom, desk and then a common kitchen, reading and TV room), located 5 min. drive from our premises, is the most economical option. Parking is also available. Each room has its own balcony. The cost is roughly CY£165 per month for each person. Dates are flexible - if you leave in the middle of the month, you only pay half the month. The requirements are: deposit of one month (if no damages are done, the deposit is returned at the end of the stay) and one month rent paid in advance. Extra charges will be for electricity and water. The hostel has optional extra facilities: Internet, telephone (not advisable for international students due to the high deposit they need to pay), A/C - must be requested from the beginning as it involves additional electricity cost. The hostel also has double rooms. You can contact the youth hostel to check actual rates and availability through Mr. Vrahimis Petri (Tel: +357 99 678 212 or e-mail: vrahimis.petri@cytanet.com.cy).
Transport:
The quality and availability of public transport in Cyprus is not very high. There is no railroad or subway and buses are infrequent. Taxis are abundant. The ACT Programme Management Unit is located in an area called the United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) and is therefore not accessible by public transport. Every effort will be made by the UNDP-ACT to arrange transportation of interns from their temporary residence to the UNDP-ACT offices or to specific project activities. However it should be borne in mind that it may be necessary for the intern to arrange car rental for the duration of the internship.
Health and Medical Insurance:
UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. A list of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual health and/or life/accident insurance plans for students is indicated below.
Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work (Cyprus). It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:
- requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
- results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.
NOTE: Proof of medical coverage/visa must be provided before the internship commences.
Expatriate Individual Health and/or Life Insurance for Students
As a way of assisting interns to have access to a wider choice of insurance companies when making their decisions about insurances, below is a list of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual health insurance plans
The list below does not constitute an endorsement by UNDP of their insurance plans. Any decision to contract their insurances is a matter strictly between the insurance carrier and the individual concerned. Consequently, UNDP assumes no responsibility in this regard.
GMC Services:http://www.henner.com/angl/individuel/individuel.html
Medex: http://www.medexassist.com
Meyer & Associates: http://www.meyerandassoc.com
Status of an Intern:
Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.
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How to apply:
There is no specific deadline, however, the applicants should send their:
- Cover letter (expressing your interest)
- CV
- Application form - click here to download
At least 3 months before the planned commencement of the internship, to:
Human Resources Unit
UNDP Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT)
PO Box 21642
NICOSIA
Cyprus
Or preferably to the following email address:fo.cyp@undp.org
As a general rule, applications will be subject to competitive selection. Please specify your primary field(s) of interest: democratic governance and civil society; sustainable development and the environment; communications; education; conflict resolution.
Please note that sending the application shall not necessarily lead to placement into the internship programme. In view of the large number of applications, we are able to respond only to successful candidates.