Background

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

  • Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
  • Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
  • Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture. You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find countryspecific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first. UNDP India has been working with the national and state governments in implementing disaster risk management programmes. UNDP has supported multiple state governments in conducting Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) exercises with a specific focus on Housing and Livelihoods. UNDP India seeks to contract an intern to assist the team.

The primary objective of this internship is to provide support in conducting desk reviews, secondary literature reviews, and documentation activities related to Climate Finance and Loss & Damage estimation. The intern will assist in gathering, organizing, and synthesizing information to contribute to ongoing projects and initiatives within our organization. In addition to this, the intern will support the team in the communication efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP Resilience team under the Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit to carry out the following tasks:

  • Conduct desk research to gather relevant data, reports, and publications related to Climate Finance mechanisms, including UNFCCC financing mechanisms, donor engagement strategies, and trends in funding allocation.
  • Perform secondary literature reviews on topics pertinent to Loss & Damage estimation methodologies, National Adaptation Plan implementation, adaptation finance, and best practices in climate resilience.
  • Assist in gathering information and documentation related to National Adaptation Plans, including country-specific strategies, adaptation priorities, and progress reports.
  • Support the analysis of financial flows and mechanisms under the UNFCCC, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and other multilateral and bilateral sources of climate finance.  
  • Collaborate with team members to compile case studies, success stories, and lessons learned in Climate Finance, Loss & Damage, and NAP implementation.
  • Support the team in researching and documenting the results of recent Post Disaster Needs Assessments
  • Carry out desk review of international PDNA exercises Provide administrative support as needed, including organizing files, maintaining databases, and scheduling meetings related to Climate Finance and adaptation initiatives.
  • Planning and coordinating with different stakeholders and partners to capture their inputs in the form of communication products Create engaging social media content, Work with the team to ideate and design communication collaterals. Any other task as advised by the team 

Competencies

  • Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Keen attention to detail;
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
  • Is willing to learn from others and take initiative;
  • Proactively works on tasks and delivers under given timelines.

Required Skills and Experience

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

a) The candidate should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Economics/Business Administration or Science.

b) Have recently graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

c) Or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Skills: Ability to conduct primary and secondary data collection and analysis. ? Working knowledge of Microsoft products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required. Experience with data visualization platforms will be considered an advantage. Basic understanding of current affairs and interest in development challenges . Experience in writing blogs, features, articles would be an asset. Good team player and ability to adapt to change in work environment.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English, while understanding of Hindi is desirable.

 

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection: Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in their undergraduate or graduate-level degree programme. Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carriedout. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance. Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements: Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is notfinancially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation orscholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid monthly and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly. Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred duringthe internship. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan. ? Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.

 The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty stationwhere 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 are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. 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. The intern will be evaluated at the end of the internship. 

IMPORTANT: Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosedthat he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, if the internship has started, to terminate it without notice or indemnity. 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture and applies and equal opportunities approach. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.