United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN lead agency on international development, working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. One of its key priorities is to support countries accelerate ambitious action on climate change. UNDP’s Climate Promise initiative supports over 120 countries to enhance their climate ambitions under the Paris Agreement, with a focus on greater emissions reduction and resilience building. The second phase of the Climate Promise and UNDP’s NDC Support Programme (NDC SP) are focusing on the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through advocacy, long term planning as well as financial and technical support to countries on NDC implementation in the context of national development priorities.

UNDP also supports countries in accessing the Green Climate Fund Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, that aims to support developing countries to strengthen their institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks towards a transformational long-term climate action agenda. Under this Readiness Programme, UNDP supports countries to advance their National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, supporting around 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central Europe in scaling up the integration of climate change adaptation into policy, planning, and investments.

Under the leadership of the UN Secretary General, UNDP and partners are implementing the Adaptation Pipeline Accelerator (APA) initiative to help translate adaptation priorities identified in NAPs and NDCs into investment pipelines. This work is coordinated across various teams including the Climate Promise, UNDP’s climate change adaptation portfolio, the NAP portfolio and others.

As part of its support to accelerate adaptation, the global NAP Team seeks to recruit an intern to support its knowledge management and communications efforts, specifically in supporting knowledge exchanges on implementing NAPs, including on adaptation finance and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor, Climate Change Adaptation Policies and Planning, and in close collaboration with the NAP Knowledge Management Officer, the intern will undertake the following tasks:

• Support to conducting research on thematic areas relevant for the adaptation planning process, focusing on adaptation finance and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL);
• Support development of knowledge products;
• Support to the organization of events (in-person and online);
• Support for updating the internal NAP Database based on country project progress reports;
• Support to team’s communication and advocacy efforts by drafting social media content; designing visuals, drafting presentations etc.
• Provide support with translations (if needed and depending on the language skills of the selected intern).

• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Computer literacy in standard software applications; competency with graphic design tools would be an advantage.
• Strong interest in, and knowledge of, climate change adaptation and international development cooperation.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Able to work independently.
• Cultural sensitivity and appreciation for different cultures and practices.
• Ability to pay attention to detail, openness to learn and receive/integrate feedback.

Academic qualifications/Education:

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

(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);

(c) 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;

(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience:

• Previous related work experience in research and communication would be an asset but is not required.
• Experience with organization of events, social media and graphic design would be an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is desirable.
• Knowledge of additional UN official languages will be considered a plus.

Additional Information:

Financial Issues

Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement. Starting from January 2020 interns will receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. Any further costs associated with the internship 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 arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs.

Selected candidate must submit following documents:

•             Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme;

•             Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance.

Subsequent Employment:

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies.

Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

More information available at: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/about_us/jobs/internships/