Background
UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. We support countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We advocate for transformative change, and we connect countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life.
The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and UNDP.
The initial phase of the activities will run from 2022 to 2025 gearing up – among other initiatives – to the Italian Presidency of the G7 in 2024. The goals of the partnership are linked to 2030 as a crucial year for global climate and sustainability goals. The partnership – in this initial phase – will focus on the critical policy areas of climate action, youth engagement and energy transition. These objectives will be advanced through the rapid, effective and sustainable implementation of two main programmes:
• Youth4Climate
• The Italy-UNDP Energy Partnership
The Youth4Climate initiative consists of three main components:
- Youth4Climate Flagship Event: Y4C hosts an annual flagship event since 2021, when it was first held in Milan, Italy as part of the pre-COP Summit, resulting in the Youth4Climate Manifesto - a bold plan for climate action in which youth delegates from around the world share their vision and demands in four thematic areas (youth driving ambition, sustainable recovery, non-state actors’ engagement, and climate-conscious society). The 2022 event, Youth4Climate: Powering Action was held in New York. The 2023 event, Youth4Climate: Sparking Solutions, held in Rome, Italy, spotlighted youth-led solutions for Urban Sustainability, Food and Agriculture, Education, and Energy.
- Youth4Climate Platform: The Youth4Climate Engagement Platform is the go-to online space dedicated to youth and climate, offering a discussion space, innovative and co-shaped capacity building/training programs, webinars, and networking opportunities. The platform already hosts more than 7,000 members consisting of young people from all parts of the world, high-level representatives from international organizations, the scientific community, and private sector.
- Youth4Climate Call for Solutions: Structured as an innovation challenge, the call for solutions aims to support the work of young people and youth-led or youth-focused organizations. In its first round, 50 projects from 40 countries have been awarded funding of up to USD 20,000 as well as access to mentorship, advocacy support, and peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.
The intern will support the Rome Centre team in different communication and project management related activities linked to Youth4Climate.
Duties and Responsibilities
The position reports to the coordinator of the office. The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:
- Prepare relevant communications materials (stories, social media content, newsletter etc.);
- Provide support to the organization of events, webinars and other meetings;
- Support the dissemination of the Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2024;
- Support the delivery of mentorship and learning offers to awarded projects;
- General administrative assistance to the team.
Competencies
Corporate
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Professionalism
- Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
- Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
- Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
- Resolves conflicts as they arise;
- Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
- Highly organized, detailed oriented.
Communication
- Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Applicants to the UNDP internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher - Preference for master level) in fields such as Studies of communication, infographic, design, journalism or any related field.
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Studies of communication, infographic, design, journalism or any related field;
- Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above), and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Experience:
- Experience in managing and monitoring online platforms, content for social media, and producing communication materials;
- Knowledge at the intersection of youth and climate is an asset;
- Experience in producing videos, flyers and other graphics is an asset;
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and tools such as Canva and Mailchimp is an asset;
- Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
- Familiarity with the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions;
- Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
Language requirements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language is required.
- Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Institutional Arrangements
The internship position will report to the Coordinator of the Youth4Climate project based in Rome.
Interns’ Expenses
Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
(a) The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
(b) The intern.
Stipend
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 UNDP.
The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend. No other payments of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.
Interns will accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.
Insurance
Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. 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. Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants who are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
- Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
- Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
Subsequent Employment
There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.
Third-party claims
UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.