Background
Background:
Founded in 1992, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF Partnership. As the responsible Executing Agency, UNOPS provides services to UNDP for administrative, financial and legal aspects of grant-making and country operations.
Through the SGP modality, the GEF provides assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in developing countries, and countries in transition, for efforts to address global environmental challenges in five focal areas: biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, international waters, land degradation, and elimination of chemicals.
SGP is operational over 125 countries and provides funding up to $50,000 per project for community actions. To date, SGP has channeled more than $450 million to communities through more than 14,500 projects around the world, which have resulted in direct global environmental benefits and also influenced the formulation of national and local policies on sustainable environmental and development management.
This internship with the SGP offers the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to the initiatives implemented on the ground in climate change focal area as well as international processes and UNFCCC COP meetings. The intern will support the climate change specialist in researching and selecting SGP projects from francophone countries, for participation in COP22 side events. The intern will also be helping preparing case studies, distilling lessons learned and preparing project information, mostly from francophone countries. In addition, the intern will be exposed to the latest developments in the field, particularly on international level as well as lessons and good practices derived from SGP portfolio. Additional tasks will include following up on the preparation of side events with SGP participation planned for COP22.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in research and selection of projects to showcase and follow up with the country teams if more information is needed (francophone countries and possibly some projects from other regions).
- Work with the focal area specialist to distill appropriate lessons learned and other relevant information.
- Carry out web, database and document searches for relevant knowledge and information about the projects in Francophone countries.
- Follow up on international climate change processes and preparation for COP22.
- Help with social media coverage of project results (Facebook, Twitter, website articles), dissemination of study outcomes and preparation of related events as needed.
Competencies
Core Competences:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to understand different views and opinions;
- Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision;
- Self-management and emotional intelligence;
- Excellent writing and communication skills;
- High degree of organization and initiative;
- Ability to multi-task and work independently;
- Ability to prioritize and work under pressure.
Required Skills and Experience
Interns are selected on a competitive basis. The following minimum qualifications are required for this internship:
- Enrollment in a graduate-level degree program in environmental science or related field.
- Demonstrated interest in the field of development and environmental issues.
- Good analytical skills.
- Knowledge of web search tools and social media.
- Fluency in French is necessary for this position, knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
- An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
Application Requirements
Candidates shortlisted for this internship are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members. Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. The costs associated must be covered from the interns themselves or any other institution through scholarships.
Copy of the applicants’ most recent resume or curriculum vitae/CV;
Letter of motivation (1 page): setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme and what he/she can bring to the organization. Please indicate in this paper the availability (3 to 6 months) as well as the starting date.
Only successful candidates will be required to submit the following documents:
UNDP Internship application form completed;
Official document from the University confirming enrollment and graduation date;
Copy of school transcripts;
Letter of endorsement from senior faculty member who has directly supervised the candidate in the recent past and who is fully acquainted in the candidate’s performance;
A signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
A Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of medical insurance valid for the location(s) in which the internship will be carried out insurance;
Copy of passport and US Visa/ US Identity Card.
Experience:
- No previous professional experience required.
Language:
- Fluency in English (written and oral);
Fluency in French is necessary for this position, knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Insurance:
Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate 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.
For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
(a) Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
(b) 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.
Selection Process:
- 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 own arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.
For more information about the application process and UNDP's internship terms and conditions, visit:http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/types-of-opportunities/internships.html