Wang Yiqun, Lisa
Department of Economics, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, N.T., Hong Kong.
August 27, 2008


1 Overview

To begin with, I'm very pleased to be offered the opportunity to serve as a summer intern at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Beijing. The two-month internship was a precious learning chance and a great personal experience. I would like to take this chance to express my gratitude to PDF and my university for their trust and support.

2 Work content and experiences

2.1 Procurement SOPs and Orientation

I began my internship at Procurement Office, which is in charge of acquiring goods, service, SSAs and travel,etc. My first job is to update the roaster for consultants. I checked with previous Special Service Agreements (SSA) and update information in the database. Relevant archiving purchase orders, contracts and other procurement related files became a routine later in my daily work. My colleagues in Procurement office are all very nice and helpful. Ms. Han Lei either explained many details to me or let me know the channels, my supervisor Mme. Ge also gave me warm help and care during the internship. I soon got familiar with the procurement circle that starts from Request, Sourcing, Evaluation to Review, Vendor, etc. I built up good relationships with Procurement colleagues, fellow interns,supporting staff and other UN agencies like UNAIDS, the harmonious working atmosphere made my work more smooth and adds to the value of my stay.

Quite fortunately, the annual orientation for new staff was held several days after my arrival. I spent three days in it and refreshed all my knowledge and understandings about the UN system, various functions of each unit and its goals. It's good to have a general idea first and it helps me to better understand how UNDP runs and whom to turn to when dealing with specific issues. Other work included drafting SSA for consultants, delivering to relevant person in charge and informing Finance unit to proceed following payments.

2.2 Interview

I have been in the interview panel for twice, once for our Social and Economics Team and once for Disaster Management Team. It's great since I've also been applying for HR intern at UNDP. I went through the whole interview procedures from screening TORs (Terms of Reference) and candidate's resumes, selecting three or four out of them basing on their merits, then arrange interview time and venue, and finally be in the panel, ask relevant questions and do overall evaluation and some follow-ups contacts. It's a unique angle to retrospect on my past interview performance, and quite valuable guidance indeed.

2.3 Conferences

During my internship, I also took part in several conferences. My job mainly is to contact simultaneous/consecutive interpreters and prepare relevant materials. During the conference I also had to meet up with coordination tasks and reception. To list a few: 'Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Experiences Workshop', 'UN China Appeal for Wenchuan Earthquake Early Recovery Support', 'Press Conference on Sport for Development and Peace'.

2.4 Supporting work

Other procurement related tasks are also very often. For instance, I arranged a household removal for a WMO official from Beijing to Geneva, Switzerland. It's rather tedious and very complicated in nature, concerning comparing and choosing company on competitive basis, followed by various procedures in assessment, insurance, custom clearance,etc. But in coordinating different parties I gained valuable experience. And for the forthcoming external audit I contacted with many auditing agencies and make necessary preparations.


3 Life In Beijing and Gratitude

Just as our former Country Director Renauld said on the Orientation, United Nations might fulfill your life with work for the whole human race's welfare, which is the ceaseless inspiration for every UN staff. I felt honored to be selected and sponsored for this internship and I believe it's mutually beneficial. It's great to be in Beijing during the summer vocation, especially in time of the Olympics. During the two months, I met UN Secretary General Pan Ki Moon in person, touched the Olympic Torch from our Resident Representative's relay. I watched Olympic boxing with my colleague, baseball with my old friends and all these are unforgettable memories. I really like to thank my colleagues who cared me so much during my sickness and dear fellow interns who shared so much joy with me. As to PDF, which kindly arranged interview procedures and following sponsorship issues, my personal thanks goes to their patience and warm help. I also owe my deepest gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Lin Ping and Dr. Lin Chen, their kind understandings and support, together with Prof. Seade's consent, made this fruitful internship finally comes true.