UNDP Jobs - 28976- Energy Communications Intern

Energy Communications Intern

Location :

New York

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

30-Apr-2012

Application Deadline :

06-Apr-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 April to 17 August 2012 (start/end date flexible)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 12 weeks

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. 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.

Background

UNDP’s development efforts are defined by the Strategic Plan: 2008-2013, which has established four developments, focus areas: (i) poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs, (ii) democratic governance, (iii) crisis prevention and post-conflict recovery, and (iv) Environment and sustainable development. The “Environment and Sustainable Development” focus area consists of four key result areas, which are:

Mainstreaming environment and energy
Mobilizing environmental finance
Promoting adaptation to climate change
Expanding access to environmental and energy services for the poor.

Access to modern energy services is fundamental for poverty reduction and sustainable development. Living without modern energy services will significantly compromise progress towards MDGs, including those relating to child and maternal survival, education, poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental sustainability. Indeed, none of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be met without increasing access to energy services in developing countries. Yet, to-date, there are 2.5 billion people who are still dependent on traditional biomass for cooking and heating, while 1.6 billion people have no access to electricity.

Ensuring access to modern energy services to meet the poor’s basic development needs must be a top priority. Specific modern energy services to meet the poor’s basic development needs include modern fuels/devices for cooking; household electricity for illumination and communications; electricity for health clinics, schools, and public lighting systems/communications; Mechanical power for basic agricultural/food processing and water pumping; and energy for cottage/village micro-enterprises.

UNDP’s Sustainable Energy Programme (SEP) at the Environment and Energy Group works towards ensuring coherency in UNDP policy as well as operational orientation in energy at the national, regional and global levels and conducts evidence-based analysis, policy and programme advisory services and global advocacy. UNDP energy activities are linked to the all four key result areas of the Environment and Sustainable Development focus in UNDP’s Strategic Plan for 2008-2013. The Sustainable Energy Programme provides leadership in orienting UNDP efforts to mainstream energy access considerations into national development strategies, expand financing options for energy access, and developing local capacity for decentralized energy service delivery for the poor. The SEP team coordinates UNDP’s energy activities and works toward ensuring coherency in UNDP policy tools and operational activities in energy at the national, regional and global levels.

As the work of UNDP has expanded ever rapidly in the area of energy it has become essential information on energy projects are available in a centralized repository for monitoring and analysis. In 2011, a database with all UNDP energy projects was initiated , the intern's support will be pivotal in supporting the development of this website. In addition to the Energy Portal, SEP is also responsible for maintaining group spaces on Teamworks, UNDP’s extra-net developed to facilitate knowledge sharing within UNDP and with other development practitioners.

Duties and Responsibilities

The communications intern will support the Sustainable Energy Team primarily with knowledge management functions within the areas of Teamworks and development of a UNDP Energy Portal. Specific intern responsibilities include:

Brainstorming and coming up with new ideas to populate and make Teamworks and UNDP Energy Portal more interesting.
Uploading content like pictures, articles and stories to the website.
Assisting with content development. This will include drafting text, research and data verification for the website to update country profiles, regional profiles and project profiles.
Supporting and providing input on website development by attending all meetings with developers and assisting in any follow up requests for information.
Producing a weekly digest of any news stories related to the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

Other potential responsibilities:

Assist with the 2012 energy portfolio analysis.
Assist in identifying a list of undp energy case studies that will be further developed in consultation with the energy team.

Competencies

Excellent written communication skills, should demonstrate evidence of superior research, analytical and writing abilities.
Experience with websites, content development and graphic design is highly desirable. Experience with Drupal is a definite advantage.
Demonstrated evidence of being a strategic problem solver and communicator highly desirable.
Creative thinker. Willingness to share new ideas and approaches will be especially valued.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet applications is an advantage but not required.
Excellent demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines in an independent working environment.
Organized and detail oriented.
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Spanish or French is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

Must be enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (masters level or above).
Current graduate students in journalism / communications with interest in environment /energy issues or graduate students in economics, public policy, environment/energy, international affairs with some communications experience.
Completed at least four years of full time studies at a university or equivalent.
Has not graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.
Some relevant work or internship experience related to communications, journalism, environment and energy, etc.