Internship - Governance and Advocacy

Location: Thimphu, Bhutan

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Bhutan has established a strong legal and institutional foundation for the rule of law and access to justice. The justice sector continues to strengthen coordination, professional capacity, service delivery and institutional accountability so that justice services are responsive to people’s needs.

The Justice Sector Strategic Plan II provides a framework for coordinated reform, including effective leadership and collaboration, competent justice service providers, responsive and accountable services, accessible and inclusive justice services, and adequate infrastructure. These priorities are also aligned with Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan objective of strengthening inclusive, effective and accessible institutions and promoting transparent rule of law and public oversight.

The EU- and UNDP-supported project “Strengthening People-Centric and Inclusive Access to Justice in Bhutan” contributes to these priorities by supporting justice institutions and partners to improve access to justice, particularly for women, persons with disabilities and other groups that may face barriers when seeking legal information, assistance and remedies. The project promotes people-centred justice, disability inclusion, gender equality, legal aid, institutional coordination, capacity development, accessibility, and evidence-based programming.

The internship will provide a structured learning opportunity for a motivated young professional to contribute to the implementation, monitoring, documentation and communication of project activities while gaining practical exposure to UNDP programme management and Bhutan’s justice sector.

The internship is intended to support the Access to Justice Project with research, coordination, documentation, monitoring, knowledge management, communications and administrative tasks. The intern will work under close supervision by Project Manager and will be given assignments that contribute to both project delivery and professional learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Governance Portfolio Manager and the direct supervision of the Project Manager or designated supervisor, the intern will support the following areas:

Research and Technical Support

Conduct desk research on access to justice, people-centred justice, legal aid, disability inclusion, gender equality, youth participation, digital justice and related governance issues.

Assist in preparing background notes, briefing materials, presentations and summaries of good national, regional and global practices relevant to the project.

Support the collection, organization and basic analysis of project data, including information disaggregated by sex, age, disability and location where such data are available and appropriate.

Support preparation of technical input for trainings, consultations, accessibility audits, monitoring visits and stakeholder meetings.

Programme Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting

Support preparation and updating of activity plans, participant lists, agendas, minutes, action trackers and follow-up notes.

Assist with documentation of project activities, outputs, results, lessons learned and emerging risks.

Contribute to draft progress reports, donor updates, presentations, human-interest stories and other project documents.

Support compilation and filing of evidence required for project monitoring, results reporting and quality assurance.

Stakeholder Coordination and Event Support

Provide coordination support for engagement with justice sector institutions, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, Local Governments, academia, development partners and other stakeholders.

Assist in organizing workshops, meetings, trainings, consultations, monitoring visits and public awareness activities.

Prepare logistical and administrative documents, including invitations, attendance records, meeting materials and activity files.

Participate in relevant project activities and prepare concise records of key discussions, decisions and action points.

Knowledge Management and Communications

Support development of knowledge and advocacy products such as briefs, presentations, factsheets, stories, social media content and communication materials.

Document good practices and lessons from legal aid, disability-inclusive justice, accessibility, capacity building and community-level initiatives.

Administrative Support and Learning

Provide routine administrative and logistical support to the project team as required.

Participate in team meetings, learning sessions and relevant UNDP events.

Undertake other related tasks that are consistent with the purpose and learning objectives of the internship.

Competencies

Skills and Competencies

Curiosity, Creative thinking, and ability to make new and useful ideas;

Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;

Communicate effectively when working in teams and independently;

Strong organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and strong attention to details;

Displays cultural