Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

  • Sustainable development
  • Democratic governance and peacebuilding
  • Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) provides leadership and technical support to deliver on the UNDP’s Strategic Plan priorities on Sustainable Development Pathways and Resilience and Governance. The UNDP Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) Team within BPPS, among its many foci help, countries to develop their capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local levels. The principal areas of work are in access to environmental and climate finance to tackle challenges in biodiversity, oceans and water resources, adaptation to climate change, energy and chemicals.

Climate change is a priority area of work for UNDP. Building on a history of supporting countries to access climate finance to address national priority areas of action, UNDP plays a leading role in the UN’s support to countries on climate change. UNDP NCE manages UNDP’s activities with regard to policy and projects supported by United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) financial instruments including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Green Climate Fund (GCF). The climate change adaptation team works to strengthen and expand UNDP’s services more broadly to systematically support adaptation to climate change.

The intern will provide technical support to Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) overseeing climate change adaptation initiatives in the Asia Pacific region. He/she will be expected to use the knowledge of climate risk and vulnerability assessment, particularly in relation to flood and drought risks, hydrology, water and catchment management and GIS/remote sensing, to improve the quality of the implementation of climate change adaptation projects in the region. The intern will also conduct desktop research on relevant issues related to climate change adaptation in the Asia Pacific region. 

 

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

No

Duties and responsibilities

% of time

1

Assessments of climate risks on droughts or floods and the impact of catchment and/or pasture management on improving ecosystem resilience in given locations

  • Literature review on the relationship between conservation of catchments/pasture lands and water infiltration, base flow, water yields, etc.; on methodologies for monitoring changes in watershed resilience using readily quantifiable parameters
  • Numeric modelling on changes in risks of floods/droughts in a given river basin in response to climate change induced variations in precipitation, evapotranspiration, extreme events and other factors
  • Producing write ups using GIS to showcase progress of adaptation projects that focus on watershed or pasture management
  • Work with other technical experts to produce knowledge products

 

80%

2

Other:

  • Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

20%

 

Competencies

  • Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
  • Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
  • Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
  • Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
  • Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

  • currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
  • currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or

Field of study: Civil engineering, hydrology, biology, and other natural sciences

 

IT skills:

  • Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
  • GIS

 

Language skills:

  • English required;
  • Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

 

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

  • UNDP will not pay interns for internship but will provide a stipend in the amount of THB 8,302.50 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy; all other expenses connected with it will be borne by me or my sponsoring Government or institution;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are 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;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.