Background

Purpose

To support the work of the EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia Project in all five pillars.

Objective

To contribute to results oriented, effective and efficient implementation of activities within – EU for Green Agenda in Serbia.

Background Information

UNDP Serbia supports the Government of Serbia to comply with international conventions and European Union regulations on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, emission-reduction, and promotion of the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development. Within the Environment and Climate Change portfolio, UNDP work includes assisting the Government in creating a stable and functioning framework in order to meet the requirements under the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD).

The European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans offer a blueprint for joint action to tackle the challenges of the green transition. The Green Agenda was shaped into regional action through the Sofia Declaration and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021 – 2030.The green transition requires a cross-sectoral approach and broad societal participation to trigger transformative change. In line with this ambition, the “Green Agenda for Serbia” project funded by the EU, was designed to build broader engagement and participation. The project objective is to contribute to the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda by improving the strategic and legislative framework, co-financing the implementation of innovative pilot projects, and mobilizing additional financing for scale-up investments. In this way, the project will contribute to the green transformation of the economy and society in Serbia. The project will also contribute to the decarbonization of the economy and achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, reducing environmental pollution (air, soil, and water) and support the alignment of Serbia’s regulatory framework with the EU acquis in following five pillars of the Green Agenda:

1. Climate action, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and green industries

2. Circular economy for resource efficiency and industrial symbiosis

3. Depollution of the environment with a strong focus on air quality

4. Protecting and investing in biodiversity and ecosystems

5. Sustainable food systems for sustainable rural livelihood

Through its five pillars, the project will work on the decarbonization of the economy, unlocking investments that lead to industrial emission reductions, improving air quality at the municipal level, promoting the circular waste concept, afforestation, and sustainable resource consumption.

UNDP Serbia is seeking to engage an Intern who will work under the guidance and direct supervision and mentorship of the UNDP Project Managers within the Climate Change and Environment Portfolio in cooperation with Resilient Development Team Leader and staff. He/she will be home-based due to UNDP work arrangements in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis.

Moreover, the Intern will support the activities under the Stockholm+50 initiative. Stockholm+50 calls for an inclusive approach that reflects the richness and diversity of voices and perspectives of various stakeholder groups - local governments, cities, civil society, women, indigenous groups, faith-based groups, academia, youth, industry, finance, and philanthropic foundations - to reimagine a common, prosperous future on a healthy planet. All relevant major stakeholder groups are encouraged to contribute to the preparation of the international meeting including through a range of national consultations. The objective of the national consultations is to stimulate an inclusive whole-of-society and whole-of-government dialogue on the main themes of Stockhom+50 as they relate to each national context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Project Managers, intern will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Provide support in research, analyses and studies conducted within the project;  
• Identify national sources of data and as necessary translate data into English;
• Identify regional and international sources of data to compare info on Serbia with countries of the region, EU, and the world;
• Provide operational support to the activities under the project, including logistic and administrative support to on-line trainings, workshops, conferences and other events;  
• Provide support to communication activities;
• Attend conferences and events, help with their preparation, ensure invitations sending, logistical organisation, etc.
• Perform any other duties within the scope of the project, as required.
• When required facilitate effective communications and information management support and provide executive support to the senior management. 
• Provide support to external relations activities. 

Competencies

• Analytical, writing, editing and verbal skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders in Serbian and English;
• Ability to identify and use in a creative way content that has good potential for sharing and community engagement; 
• Capability to use platform built-in analytical tools for reporting on traffic and engagement;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams; 
• Excellent organizational skills. 

Required Skills and Experience

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

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
• Familiarity with data syntheses, qualitative and quantitative research and analyses;
• Familiarity with digital platforms for business purposes, content management and community engagement will be considered as an asset. 

Field of study:  technical sciences, natural sciences, environmental protection, law, economics, management, media studies and other social sciences or other relevant fields.

Language requirement:

Excellent knowledge of written and oral English and Serbian. 

Internship Conditions

Status

Interns are not considered as having the status of a staff member. During the internship with UNDP, interns are subject to the Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission (ST/SGB/2002/9). 

Interns must not represent UNDP in any official capacity or commit resources on its behalf. 

Duration

The normal duration of internship is no less than six weeks and no more than six months. Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns.

The envisaged duration of this Internship is 6 months full-time working status.

Medical 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.

Expenses

Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, will be paid by the receiving office.

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.

Termination 

The internship can be terminated by either UNDP or the intern for any reason upon giving two weeks’ notice. 

Responsibilities and obligations of the office and the supervisor:

The receiving office and supervisors must create a working environment conducive to interns’ substantive learning and professional development. 

Offices must:

(a) Ensure that an intern’s assignment is at the appropriate level of complexity and variety;

(b) Ensure proper supervision of the intern;

(c)Ensure that the intern is informed of UN’s policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Abuse of Authority and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

(d) Prepare terms of reference describing the tasks of interns in the office; and

(e) Provide constructive feedback to the intern regarding their performance.

The shortlisted applicants will be required to submit the following documentation: 

• Copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae.
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date or copy of diploma if already graduated.
• Copy of his/her school transcript.
• Endorsement letter or letter of reference in English language from a faculty member with University heading, signed and stamped.

The successful candidate will be asked to provide, prior to commencing work, the following documentation:

• A signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Proof of medical insurance valid for Serbia throughout the duration of the Internship.

Applications not in accordance with the mandatory requirements will NOT be considered.

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.