UNDP Jobs - 59917- Intern - BES-Net and Asia-Pacific Ecosystems and B

Intern - BES-Net and Asia-Pacific Ecosystems and Biodiversity Team

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

21-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

15-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

BES-Net

Closely aligned with the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) areas of work and capacity building needs, the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity building network of networks that promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

The network is supported by face-to-face capacity building activities (the BES-Net “trialogues”), a matchmaking facility, and a cutting-edge web portal, all components being mutually reinforcing.

As a signature product of UNDP’s work in biodiversity and ecosystems, BES-Net harnesses its capacity building expertise at the country-level, capitalizes on the accumulated knowledge of best practices and challenges in the field, and brings practitioners into the science-policy arena.

In implementing its mandate, BES-Net is following an inclusive approach and collaborating with various partners.

UNDP-GEF Ecosystems and Biodiversity portfolio in Asia-Pacific

Based in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, the UNDP-Global Environment Finance Unit works closely with UNDP Country Offices, national and local governments, and other partners to support partner countries in accessing a variety of vertical funds for global environment management, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund. This financing is used to develop capacity, remove policy and regulatory barriers, and expand/transform green markets in order to increase resilience, reduce poverty and make sustainable development possible. Based at the UNDP Asia and Pacific Regional Hub, the UNDP-GEF Ecosystem and Biodiversity Team in Bangkok provides support to 34 countries in the region as well as to some Arab states. The strategic objective of the Ecosystems and Biodiversity (EBD) team is to support the effective management of biodiversity and ecosystem services for sustainable development.

To achieve this, the team focuses its efforts on three signature programmes:

(i) Integrate EBD management into development planning and production sectors to safeguard biodiversity and maintain ecosystem functions that sustain human well-being;
(ii) Unlock the potential of protected areas, including indigenous and community conserved areas, to conserve biodiversity while contributing to sustainable development; and
(iii) Manage and rehabilitate ecosystems for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

The purpose of this internship is to provide support to the BES-Net staff (75% of time) and to the Asia-Pacific EBD team (25% of the time).

Duties and Responsibilities

Become familiar with the BES-Net project:
Support in populating the web portal

Assist with uploading documents, videos, and social media content, etc.

Support in managing the web portal:

Assist with administration of online collaboration tools;
Assist with moderating requests for approval.

Support in generating content for the web portal:

Assist with compiling best practices based on user feedback;
Assist with developing documentation on lessons learnt.

Support the BES-Net coordinator in ad hoc tasks including liaising with partners, project management, reporting and writing documents and presentations on BES-Net.

Research and extract project results from relevant reports and evaluations, and prepare case studies and communications pieces for UNDP-GEF publications, newsletters, websites, etc, including sourcing of relevant photos.

Undertake research, data collection and editing in support of programmes/project concepts developed by the UNDP-GEF Ecosystems and Biodiversity Team.

Perform other ad-hoc duties as required and mutually agreed.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s core values;
Respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Effective communications and computer skills (MS Office package, Internet research);
Team worker who consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Detail-oriented, produces quality outputs in a timely manner when assigned a given task;
Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Current Master’s or PhD student (Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Communications, etc.);
Enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme at the time of application and during the internship is required.

Experience:

Strong technical knowledge of online communication, networking and collaboration tools;
Highly organized and ability to work independently;
Detail-oriented;
Excellent desk-based research skills and ability to organize and summarize scientific information with ease and accuracy
Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
Ability to interact with various type of actors (policy-makers, scientists and practitioners) with diplomacy;
Acknowledges and responds constructively to the points of view of others.

Language:

Strong verbal/written communication skills in English.

Conditions for internship:

This internship is unpaid;
This internship is based in UNDP Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. The expected starting date is 1 September for a duration of 6 months;
The UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship. 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. where applicable;
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;
Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship or for six months immediately following the expiration date of internship;
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

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.

Selection:

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

A completed UNDP internship application form (to be provided upon selection);
A signed UNDP Internship Agreement (to be provided upon selection;
A copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
A letter of recommendation from a professor;
A copy of his/her school transcript;
A copy of passport;
A Medical Certificate of Good Health;
A proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains.

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