Background

Based in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Sustainable Development Cluster, the Global Biodiversity Program has the objective to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

This objective is achieved through several inter-related areas of work:

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

  • Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives;
  • Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice;
  • Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
  • Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The Equator Initiative accomplishes these goals through three areas of work:

  • The Equator Prize recognizes outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Equator Prize shines a spotlight on successful community work on the national and international stages. The next Equator Prize will be awarded in 2017.
  • Equator Dialogues are an ongoing series of community-driven meetings and exchanges, held in conjunction with related international forums. Equator Dialogues provide opportunities for people to share experiences, develop capacities and influence policy.
  • Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative. We have a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives. More than 170 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize Winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

For further information please go to: www.equatorinitiative.org

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be based in the New York office, and will support the Equator Initiative in the implementation of the Equator Prize 2017 and other duties in the framework of activities under the Global Biodiversity Program, as needed. Responsibilities may include but will not be limited to the following, as outlined below. Language skills are required. S/he will report to the Programme Manager and/or Programme Analyst.

Duties and responsibilities include:

  • Support the Equator Prize 2017, in particular the outreach, nomination and selection processes.
  • Liaise with community based initiatives, governments, research institutes, and the private sector as needed;
  • Support the Equator Prize selection process by conducting research, performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of nominations (where required), and liaising with referees;
  • Support the organization of workshops and events, assisting with travel arrangements for representatives of winning communities, and liaising with event partners and panelists.
  • Support media and communications efforts around the Equator Prize 2017, including preparing communications materials; planning, content research, and assisting with design;
  • Assist with Equator Initiative’s work in profiling and supporting civil society efforts;
  • Create content for newsletters and upcoming international forums, outreach and partnership efforts;
  • Write reports and summaries for website and publications;
  • Assist with social media and database entry;
  • Administrative duties and translations as identified to ensure the smooth operation of the office.
  • Other duties within the Global Biodiversity Program as necessary;

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:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

  • Demonstrated interest in the fields of development and/or environment;
  • Strong writing skills required;

Language:

  • Fluency in English required;
  • Knowledge of at least one other UN official language or Portuguese required;
  • Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

Working Hours:

  • Full time, five days per week (preferred); or minimum commitment of three full days a week.
  • Days off will be granted as needed and in compliance with the UNDP internship policy.

Conditions for internships:            

  • The UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • The intern will need to provide proof of health and life/accident insurance;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;                                                                 

“Please upload a resume/CV and cover letter/statement of interest combined one file as the system only accepts one attachment.”