Internship – Front Office Policy and Advocacy

HQ, PRO Division, Rome, Italy

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.  We are currently seeking to fill a Policy and Advocacy intern position in the Front Office of the PRO Division, based in Rome, Italy.

Brief description of the PRO Division:

The Programme – Humanitarian and Development Division provides strategic and technical guidance, disseminates know-how across humanitarian and development areas and supports Regional Bureaus and Country Offices in the design and implementation of WFP Country Strategic Plans (CSPs).

In coordination across the Programme and Policy Development Department (PD), the Division contributes to shaping WFP’s strategic direction on key programmatic issues related to food security and nutrition in the context of Zero Hunger and the 2030 Agenda.

General Information

• Title of Post: Internship – Front Office Policy and Advocacy
• Supervisor: Programme and Policy Officer
• Unit: PRO Division Front Office
• Country: Italy
• Duty Station: Rome
• Duration of internship: 6 months
• Expected Start Date: May 2021

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of PRO Front Office Knowledge Management Coordinator, the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Collect, draft and validate key messages on programmatic and policy issues.
• Prepare background materials and support the organization of events and meetings.
• Revise and consolidate divisional submissions to corporate products and exercises.
• Consolidate outputs from meetings and events, such as Notes for Reference and follow-up actions.
• Support the draft of guidance, background documents and organization of the Policy Task Force.
• Support in project management and timelines for tasks, projects and initiatives run by the Front Office;
• Support creation and implementation of programme and policy-related communication plans and products such as e-mails, newsletters, webinars, etc.
• Support the research and consolidation of material on policy and programme frontier topics.
• Perform other related tasks as requested by the direct supervisor and the Division Director.

Qualifications and experience

• Currently enrolled with at least two years undergraduate studies completed, or recently graduated (within the past six months) in International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Information Management or other relevant fields.
• University course attendance in the past 12 months.
• Excellent command of English; Working knowledge of a second UN language would be an asset.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).

Required soft skills:

• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to quickly assimilate UN/WFP specific processes and systems.
• Ability to work in multicultural and diverse settings.
• Proactiveness and team-oriented attitude.

Working Languages

Excellent knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) is required.

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the direct supervision of the PRO Front Office Programme and Policy Officer, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be elemental part of the supervision. The Head of the PRO Front Office will be the second-level supervisor.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry leading learning platform, WeLearn.  Depending on opportunities, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Working modality

The physical presence of the person in the office on a part-time basis (2/3 days per week) is the preferred option, but remote working modality is possible given the current circumstances.

Information on the Country of Assignment

• Living conditions in Rome, Italy
  (Living conditions, security, health, etc)
  

The security situation in Italy remains in line with other European Countries. There are no specific threats against the UN in Italy. Considering the ongoing defeat of Daesh in the war territories, the trend in the short and mid-term will most likely continue to see the return of the militants to the countries of origins, including Italy. Insurrectional anarchism remains sufficiently organized on the Italian territory, as it has been present for many years. This movement could target the UN in the context of its anti-capitalism/anti-western narrative. 2) Whilst UN staff continue to be victims of minor crime such as street robbery and apartment break-ins, the infrequency of attacks and random nature of locations do not indicate that UN staff are at an elevated risk in comparison to residents or tourists in Italy. 3) Italy’s national territory is exposed to a broader range of natural hazards than any other European country. The vulnerability of its population and built environment is often severe and has in some cases been exacerbated by human activities. 

VA Reference no: 142193

Closing Date: 21 May 2021

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 2).

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses, arrangements for accommodation, necessary visas and related costs.
• WFP will reimburse travel ticket for candidates who are nationals of developing countries and are pursuing their studies in their home country.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognized institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.  WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Fighting Hunger Worldwide