UNDP Jobs - 49135- COMDEKS Intern

COMDEKS Intern

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

04-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

30-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 to 6 months

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.

Background

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), the United Nations University (UNU), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have agreed to support a project titled Community Development and Knowledge management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) as the flagship of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). The Satoyama Initiative is a global initiative to promote sustainable use and management of natural resources in socio-ecological production landscapes with the aim of maintaining, rebuilding and revitalizing them.

Funded by the Japan Biodiversity Fund set up within the CBD Secretariat, the COMDEKS project is implemented by UNDP, and delivered through the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), allowing for a fast, flexible, and proven mechanism to reach communities and civil society at the local level. As part of COMDEKS, small grants will be provided to local community organizations with the overall long term objective to enhance socio-ecological production landscape resilience by developing sound biodiversity management and sustainable livelihood activities with local communities to maintain, rebuild, and revitalize landscapes. COMDEKS grant making is expected to generate key lessons on community-based best practices to maintain and rebuild socio-ecological production landscapes toward the realization of "societies in harmony with nature", as defined as the vision of the Satoyama Initiative.

COMDEKS is currently implemented in 20 countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Slovakia and Turkey.

The UNDP-GEF Community Resilience and Sustainability (CRS) team coordinates UNDP-GEF’s approach to community empowerment for sustainable development and collaborates across UNDP to ensure that community supportive policies and approaches form part of UNDP’s broader strategic framework. More specifically, the CRS Team focuses on strengthening the adaptive capacity and resilience of communities by providing catalytic support through small grants and other financing, access to knowledge and other empowerment tools, and greater access to markets. The intern will work closely with the Communities team to further develop knowledge products which capture and share lessons learned and best practices from these country-led initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will primarily be involved in the content building of the COMDEKS website and development of various knowledge products related to the COMDESK Project. S/he will report directly to the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) of the Communities, Resilience and Sustainability Team, and will work closely with the COMDEKS Project Coordinator. Under guidance by the STA and COMDEKS Project Coordinator, the main tasks of the Intern include the following:

Assist with development of various knowledge products for the COMDEKS Project, including but not limited to Newsletters, Country Programme Factsheets and Project Briefs for community-based projects;
Support with case study development from baseline assessments and community consultations in COMDEKS participating countries;
Maintain, add, and update content to the COMDEKS website and promote its use and implementation, particularly the stimulation of exchange of information and experiences within and among the various user groups;
Conduct research on community-based related themes; including biodiversity-friendly farming systems and resource use management practices at the local level aimed at maintaining and enhancing the resilience of socio-ecological production landscapes;
Assist with social media outreach and information dissemination-related activities;
Other tasks as agreed beforehand with the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangements

Interns’ Expenses:

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:

The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
The student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Insurance:

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

Subsequent Employment:

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Strong organizational, reporting and writing abilities;
Capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Current enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme in environmental studies or related fields.

Experience

Excellent computer literacy skills;
Experience with MS Publisher;
Ability to write leaflets, brochures, newsletters, as needed;
Good knowledge of biodiversity, land degradation, climate change and development;

Language

Written and spoken proficiency in English.
Written and spoken proficiency in French

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

A copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
A duly completed “UNDP internship application form” (to be provided upon selection);
A letter from his/her University confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
A copy of his/her school transcript;
Copy of his/her insurance coverage;
A Medical Certificate of Good Health;
A letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised her/him in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with her/his performance; and
A brief paper setting out the reasons why s/he is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience.

Please only apply if you know that you can have the above documentation available within one week after selection.

Third-party claims:
UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

Clarifications:

Candidates intereseted in this internship may contact Ms. Diana Salvemini and Mr. Michael Campbell for any clarification on the process at the following addresses: diana.salvemini@undp.org, and michael.campbell@undp.org.