Historique

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

BIOFIN

Now present in 41 countries, with more countries to join during this year, BIOFIN is working with governments, civil-society, vulnerable communities, and the private sector to catalyze investments in nature. BIOFIN supports the development of comprehensive Biodiversity Finance Plans, drawing on 150+ finance solutions, that will help secure the future for people and planet. Solutions that focus on delivering better on what is available, reallocating resources from where they harm to where they help.

  • The Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN – was developed to provide a comprehensive methodology for governments to: 1) review the existing policy context, 2) measure expenditure levels for biodiversity, 3) calculate future financial needs and 4) design strategic plans to deploy the right mix of finance solutions, tailored to the country context.
  • BIOFIN Phase I (2012-2018) enabled full assessments and initial implementation of finance plan elements in target countries. Based on lessons learned, a new and comprehensive version of the BIOFIN Methodology was developed. Significant scaling up of finance solutions is required in all countries to address the biodiversity finance challenge.
  • BIOFIN Phase II (2018-2025) supports countries to implement Biodiversity Finance Plans and finance solutions to achieve tangible finance results (generating revenue, avoid future expenditures, deliver better, realign expenditures). The intervention is tailored to accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and deal with the impacts of COVID-19, reducing the risk of similar pandemics.  See https://www.biofin.org/  for further information.

 

BES-NET

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative managed jointly by UNDP, UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and UNESCO with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and SwedBio at Stockholm Resilience Centre. In support of the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), BES-Net:

  • Promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice sectors around the latest IPBES assessment themes for more coordinated and evidence-based BES management, using the Trialogue methodology;
  • Supports the development of capacity in selected countries to conduct the national ecosystem assessment (NEA), completing the global assessment being undertaken by IPBES
  • Provides the target countries with catalytic seed fund for the uptake of the key findings and recommendations of the IPBES assessments/NEAs in the policy, science and practice sectors
  • Enhances the global BES network by developing a rich database of organizations and experts working on different IPBES assessment theme areas and making the latest BES related news and updates available on the web portal and the social media channels.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The intern would be an integrated member of the BIOFIN global team. The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the global team in their technical, management and communication activities, through the following tasks:

BIOFIN

  • Research, collect, analyze, and present the work BIOFIN has been doing in its 41 core countries.
  • Review international best practices to identify case studies of nature-based finance solutions that can serve as examples for BIOFIN work.
  • Assist the BIOFIN finance sources database with new entries and develop guidance materials on financing solutions for BIOFIN teams in different countries.
  • Contribute developing knowledge products on cross country analysis, financing solutions for biodiversity conservation.
  • Synthesize and summarize research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to BIOFIN thematic activities.
  • Support the organization of events, webinars, meetings, regional calls; assist maintaining the documentation of meetings.
  • Assist in boosting BIOFIN presence in social media; provide assistance as required in the maintenance of the BIOFIN media accounts including Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.
  • Support developing BIOFIN knowledge products (e.g.: blogs, articles etc.)
  • Monitor, analyze, and synthesize the developments, press clippings and reports of BIOFIN, and maintain a database of BIOFIN news coverage and update it regularly.
  • Attend meetings when required and taking meeting minutes.
  • Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

 

BES-Net

  • Contribute to developing web stories and other communication products based on the progress of the activities in the BES-Net target countries;
  • Support the planning and the organization of virtual and in person workshops, meetings and events, including the documentation of events;
  • Assist in developing monthly newsletters (i.e., BES-Net Monthly Blast) by compiling relevant content;
  • Support the development of the articles, including partner/expert series in coordination with respective BES-Net partner organizations and experts;
  • Undertake research, data collection and analysis on the key BES themes, as required; and
  • Assist in identifying the collaboration opportunities between BIOFIN and BES-Net and liaising with the BIOFIN team on relevant issues.

Compétences

  • Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and deep desire to learn biodiversity finance activities,
  • Demonstrates excellent research skills, verbal and written communication, organizational skills,
  • Desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds,
  • Be a well-organized individual with the ability to multi-task,
  • Be a team player with ability to work productively and effectively with others,
  • Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:
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.

Experience:

  • Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset.
  • Experience in related finance area is an asset.
  • Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems, environment related area is an asset.
  • Experience in communication related activities; familiarity with social media platforms or digital media channels is an asset.

Language skills:

  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Fluency and/or knowledge in an additional UN language is an asset.

Learning: 

  • The intern will develop a good overview of global biodiversity financing practices and a basic understanding of UNDP project management concepts. 
  • Enhance a portfolio of skills both in operational and managerial (organization, coordination, analysis, and independent thinking).
  • Expose in the multi-cultural working environment with different stakeholders, peers, actors in biodiversity finance.

 

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.


Application procedure:
The application should contain:

  • Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post and your availability.
  • Current and complete CV in English.

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit following documents:

  • Official letter from the University confirming enrolment 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.

Conditions:

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, illness or death during the internship;
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
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 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: https://www.undp.org/careers/types-of-opportunities/internships