UNDP Jobs - 52971- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network Intern

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network Intern

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3-6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative looking at developing capacity to support the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), to help enable effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide, implementing the three Rio Conventions and related multilateral agreements in a way that contributes to long-term human well-being and sustainable development. Through partnerships with the Norwegian Environment Agency and SwedBio at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, UNDP is therefore developing and implementing a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), to help countries tackle science-policy questions critical to effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide, thereby contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

The objective of BES-Net is to develop and manage a capacity building network of networks comprising the key IPBES constituencies (policy-makers, scientists/knowledge-holders and practitioners). The network is supported by face-to-face capacity building activities, a matchmaking facility (with both face-to-face and online activities), and a cutting-edge web portal. 2015 will see the development and launch of the BES-Net web portal and the first face-to-face capacity building activities in the form of a science-policy-practice dialogue to be held in Ethiopia on resilience to drought and food security.

In implementing its mandate, BES-Net is following an inclusive approach and collaborating with various partners.

The purpose of this internship is to assist the BES-Net coordinator in populating the web-portal, to be developed by a web agency, in organizing the first face to face capacity building activities of IPBES, in overall project management and in communication and networking activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work to be done:

Assist with overseeing the development of the web portal and support in populating it

Become familiar with the BES-Net project;
Testing the website and provide inputs in terms of user experience;
Assist in uploading documents, videos, and social media content, etc.;
Assist with the management of online collaboration tools;
Assisting with moderation of the website.

Provide research and analysis on specific scientific themes (land degradation and restoration, pollinators pollination and food production, etc.) and write short summaries

Research organizations working in specific technical fields and summarize their work;
Identify UNDP case studies of interest to BES-Net;
Research peer-reviewed scientific articles, grey literature, reports on best practices and experience learnt as well as videos and e-learning courses on given thematic areas and on cross-cutting areas in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
Organise the collected information to inform the BES-Net portal, which aims at providing a one stop shop in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
Support the identification of gaps in available information;
Assist with the development of new material.

Support in liaising with potential partners for BES-Net

Setting up one to one meetings to discuss potential collaborations;
Taking notes and summarizing outcome of the meetings and actions points.

Assist in the organization of the first science policy practice dialogue on land degradation and restoration in Ethiopia

Liaison with the organization team on logistics issues;
Support to invitations and registration;
Support on communication around and during the event;
Taking notes and helping with the final report.

Support the BES-Net coordinator in ad hoc tasks including project management and reporting.

Competencies

Highly organized and ability to work independently;
Detailed-oriented. Ability to organize and summarize scientific information with ease and accuracy;
Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
Ability to interact with various type of actors ( policy-makers, scientists and practitioners) with diplomacy;
Acknowledges and responds constructively to the points of view of others.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Environmental Science, Communications, etc.);
Currently enrolled in a Master’s study (Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Communications, etc.).

Experience:

Strong technical knowledge of online communication, networking and collaboration tools.

Language:

Strong verbal/written communication skills in English.

Institutional Arrangements

This internship is unpaid. See below for details for covering all costs;
The internship is home-based. The intern should be available for at least 5 hours of the office hours in Bangkok, where the BES-Net coordinator is based;
3-6 months in duration;
Expected starting date: January/February 2015.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

Completed UNDP internship application form (to be provided upon selection);
Signed UNDP Internship Agreement (to be provided upon selection);
Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
Letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
Letter of recommendation from a professor;
Copy of his/her school transcript;
Copy of passport;
Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains.

Please only apply if you know that you can have the above documentation available within one week after selection.

Interns’ Expenses

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:

The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
The student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc. where applicable.

Insurance

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

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. Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected. Interns cannot apply for posts or consultancies during the period of 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.