Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) Intern

Background:

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.

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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China Country Office is part of UNDP—the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.  

UNDP China has been working in China over the past four decades, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development outlined in the Government of China’s Five-Year Plans. UNDP assists China in integrating the SDGs into development decisions, promotes the transition to an inclusive, low-carbon economy and a sustainable society, protects biodiversity, and informs China’s international development cooperation engagement to advance global progress on the SDGs and the global climate agendas. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs. 

UNDP China’s implementation modalities currently engage more than 15 Ministries and government representatives at the national and sub-national levels in 28 provinces. UNDP China also actively engages the United Nations development system, multilateral and regional institutions, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, academia and think tanks, intergovernmental bodies, and the media to accelerate the SDGs and global climate agendas in China. 

Greater Tumen Initiative (GTI) (originally known as the Tumen River Area Development Programme –TRADP), is an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism in Northeast Asia, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a membership of four countries: People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Russian Federation. 

In 1995, member governments signed formal agreements to establish the intergovernmental cooperation mechanism, aimed at strengthening economic and technical cooperation, and attaining greater growth and sustainable development for the peoples and countries in Northeast Asia and the Tumen River area in particular.

Since its creation, the GTI has remained a unique intergovernmental platform for economic cooperation, fostering peace, stability and sustainable development in Northeast Asia. It is playing a significant role in expanding policy dialogue and strengthening a business-friendly environment in the region, therefore contributing to the improvement of living standards through the development of infrastructure and the promotion of trade and investment. 

In 2005, the member countries agreed to assume the full ownership, and focus on the promotion of regional cooperation in the key sectors of economy: energy, transport, tourism, trade & investment, environment and agriculture. 

In recent years, GTI member countries recognized the importance to expand cooperation in wider areas, and agreed to establish the new mechanisms under the GTI framework. In this connection, the Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Committee, NEA EXIM Bank Association, GTI Research Institutions Network, and NEA Business Association were established. 

Currently, GTI is in the process of legal transition to an independent international organization. The discussion on legal texts is ongoing.

The GTI internship Programme provides a compact understanding of GTI’s intergovernmental cooperation process, institutional framework, and project activities in a multicultural and international environment. Each intern will be assigned specific tasks in various GTI activities, such as assisting the staff in project management, organization of intergovernmental meetings and forums, and promotional activities.

Description of Responsibilities:

The position will report to the Finance and Admin Associate of the GTI Secretariat.

The incumbent shall coordinate and assist in preparing and organizing GTI events and activities, communicate with stakeholders, collate the research report, and provide support on administrative matters.

Details of the job responsibilities:

1)         Events organization:

• Manage logistic arrangements for organizing GTI events, including the annual Consultative Commission Meeting, annual Sectoral board/committee meetings, and project workshops/seminars, such as the working level meetings of the GTI Research Institutions Network, GTI NEA Local Cooperation Committee (LCC) Meeting, and Annual meeting for the GTI Agriculture Committee.
• Managing overall logistic plans for participants in cooperation with the hosting party, including flights, accommodations, meeting venue, airport pick-up and send-off, meals, technical tours, visa, etc. 
• Communicating with various suppliers and meeting participants
• Supporting programme officers in preparing invitation letters, meeting materials, meeting minutes, e-news, etc. 

2)         Digital Media Management

• Support developing and managing new media operations, including the setup and maintenance of the official WeChat public account, to enhance the organization’s online presence and engagement.

3)         Research support:

• Assisting in the preparation of research reports and compiling relevant materials.
• Support in written internal reports when needed. 

4)         Administration support:

• Make travel arrangements for the staff of the Secretariat, including visa, flights, hotel, etc. 
• Support in office operational procurement when needed.

5)         Other Responsibilities 

• To perform other duties as required by the supervisor. 

Competencies:

Interest and knowledge of Northeast Asia, particularly that of GTI activities, would be preferred.

Effective team player with excellent interpersonal skills; highly self-motivated and detail oriented.

Ability to perform in a multicultural environment.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

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.

Major in international economy, public and/or business administration, English and/or interpretation, and International Relations is preferred.

Experience: 

Event organization or Programme assistance working experience, preferably with international organizations, and experience in the organization of international meetings and events, would be preferred. 

Experience in the preparation of research reports would be preferred.

Skills: Excellent computer skills with MS Office (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and AI tools.

Required Language: Excellent communication and drafting skills in English. Proficiency in both Chinese and Korean would be an asset.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please fill all required boxes in the application system including education, experience, nationality etc. and upload below documents with your application: 

a)     CV and letter of motivation

b)     Copy of school transcript 

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• Unless intern is financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme (hereafter “sponsor”), UNDP will provide a stipend, at the rate determined in accordance with UNDP internship policy;
• If intern is financially supported by a sponsor, UNDP will, subject to the rules of the sponsor, pay me the difference, if any, between the financial support provided by the sponsor and the applicable UNDP stipend;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed; 
• Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

The sponsoring institution, related institution or Government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or

The intern.

• Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern. 
• Selected candidates for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station where they will undertake the internship. For interns that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;

Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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