Intern - ICT

Background
The main objective of this ICT Internship programme is to offer an outstanding graduate-level student the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. It is designed to complement technical theoretical-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of Information and Communications Technology.

Duties and Responsibilities
With a view to strengthening his skills in the practical field as well as to enhance his capacity, the ICT Unit recognizes that under the direct supervision and guidance by the ICT Manager, the intern will be assigned various ICT tasks and that at the end of the Internship programme the intern should be able to demonstrate experience and competency in the following areas:
Help Desk
  • Be able to offer technical support on Micro-Computer software and hardware problems;
  • Be able to provide support on the Productivity Tools such as MS-Office Applications – including MS Outlook for Client E-mail services and Web browsing tools like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and others; and
  • Demonstrate skills in the use of tools for data access, transfer and conversion.
LAN Management
  • Gain skills in installing and upgrading of network hardware / software as per UNDP standard requirements;
  • Be part of the IT team in troubleshooting PC software and hardware problems;
  • Be able to demonstrate skills in the evaluation and appraisal of current and future hardware, software and service requirements; and
  • Be able to carry out and monitor preventive maintenance programmes.
Procurement and Inventory Management
  • Gain competency in the maintenance of inventory records of computer hardware and software;
  • Be able to keep records on requests for systems enhancements and maintenance; and
  • Be encouraged to keep up-to-date on industry trends in software and hardware development;
  • Desktop Publishing Management - Public Relations;
  • Gain experience in the use of standard Desktop Publishing tools;
  • Be able to design and produce brochures, invitation cards and other information leaflets as may be required; and
  • Gain knowledge in developing Websites and this should be demonstrated towards the end of the Internship programme by providing assistance support to the Country Office website through technical updates.
Back-stopping tasks
  • Participate in the ICT Unit meetings; and
  • Undertake any other task as determined by the office.
Learning Elements
Upon completion of the assignment, the intern is expected to:
  • Be conversant with the overall activities undertaken in the ICT Unit;
  • Be familiar with the general UNDP procedures;
  • Be able to work in other technical sectors of the UNDP Lusaka Office;
  • Prepare a report of their experience in UNDP during the internship;
  • Show desire to pursue Postgraduate studies in the near future.

Competencies
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
  • Basic research and analysis: generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty.
Design and Implementation of Management Systems:
  • Develops simple system components. Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
  • Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgement;
  • Self-development, initiative-taking.
Communication:
  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
  • Taylors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Team Work:
  • Acts as a team player and facilitates team work;
  • Is willing to learn from other; places team agenda before personal agenda; and
  • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client Orientation:
  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
  • identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Should be in final year of studies towards the attainment of a University degree in a Computer Science related disciplin; or
  • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Experience:
  • Candidates are not expected to have any working experience as they have just completed their degree programme; and
  • Good interpersonal skills.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in oral and written English.
Conditions:
  • Interns are considered gratis personnel.  They are not staff members.
  • Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP.  The costs associated must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.
  • All costs associated with the latter must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, etc.