UNDP Jobs - 73553- Environmental Assistant Intern

Environmental Assistant Intern

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2017

Application Deadline :

28-Jul-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 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

UNDP is committed to reduce its carbon footprint, including through diverting its waste stream, offsetting its carbon emissions, and adopting green technologies to minimise generation of greenhouse gases, with a vision to achieve climate neutrality. This three (3) months internship is for a placement within UNDP Malawi Country Office. The aim of the placement is to contribute towards continued improvement in environmental and low carbon performance of the UNDP country office. This assignment will facilitate behavioural change and provide opportunities for UNDP staff and partners to engage in the low carbon/environmental sustainability agenda. The scope of work for the placement will support the delivery of the UNDP environmental sustainability and low carbon strategies outlined in the Greening the Blue guidelines (see www.greeningtheblue.org ).
The intern will also review proposals made at a UN retreat on greening the office including the cost implications for such activities.
This assignment is under the direct supervision of the Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio Manager. The candidate is expected to work daily with colleagues in the RSG Portfolio, and at times with other UNDP units and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), UN Volunteers, key UN stakeholders, and the public

Duties and Responsibilities

Familiarize him / herself with the office environment of UNDP, with relevant UN and UNDP policies and strategies, and with the work of the RSG Portfolio, with focus on the Environment Team.
Assist with the preparation and carrying out of an environmental audit of the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Malawi regarding*
- Energy use and energy efficiency in the CO (lighting, equipment, transport etc.)
- Carbon footprint of the CO, including use of fuel (road transport, air travel emissions and generator, use of air conditioning, etc.
- Water use and efficiency in the CO
- Waste management of the CO (waste reduction, recycling, e-waste etc.)
- Consideration of environmental aspects in procurement (e.g. toxicity of cleaning materials, preferential procurement of locally produced goods to reduce carbon footprint), cost implications and other considerations for example standards, efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy
- Compliance with UN and UNDP policies and strategies
- Planned actions of the CO with regard to future sustainability
- The outcomes of the environmental assessment should be summarized in a report, which shall include recommendations for future improvements, to be submitted to the RSG Portfolio Manager for action in consultation with UNDP management.

*The focus is on the Country Office, but the situation at satellite offices and workplaces of staff seconded to partner institutions also needs to be assessed.

Assist in planning and implementing new initiatives (within the RSG Portfolio, at events, in cooperation with UN Volunteers etc)
Assist the RSG Portfolio with any other related duties as assigned.

Deliverables of the assignment

A status report at the end of the assignment of the environmental performance which should include recommendations
Draft SOPs on waste management, including arrangements with waste collectors
Confirmation on where our waste is disposed / recycled
Recommendations on water usage
Recommendations on reduction of carbon footprint

Competencies

Proactive (able to pro-actively undertake tasks that fall under TORs)
Self-organizer with respect for deadlines
Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
Team Player
Excellent writing skills
Commitment to continuous learning
Quick learner
Technological awareness: Proficiency in various MS Office applications and other IT applications.
Able to facilitate activities
Good computer skills (Microsoft Office, Publisher, PowerPoint etc.)
Polite and outgoing
Gender sensitive

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants for this UNDP internship must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
- Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Field of study must have been / be environmental science, environmental protection or equivalent

Furthermore,

Have knowledge of environmental audits of facilities and office buildings
Have excellent command of written and spoken English required; proficiency in Chichewa is an advantage.
Show initiative, sound judgement and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members and UN Volunteers from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds
Be up to date with developments and innovations in the environmental sectors in Malawi and beyond
Experiences in environmental assessments and/or development related fields are an added advantage

Status
Interns are not staff members, and are not sought or accepted as substitutes for staff.
Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Length
The length of this internship at UNDP Malawi is 3 months (part-time: 6 hours/day) from the day of signing the internship agreement.
The duration of the assignment will be from September 2017 – November 2017

Accountability
Unsatisfactory performance or failure to conform to the UNDP standards of conduct may lead to termination of the internship, for cause, at the initiative of UNDP. A two-week notice shall be given in such cases.
Any serious breach of the duties and obligations would justify separation before the end of the notice period.
The intern will reimburse UNDP for financial loss or for damage to UNDP-owned equipment or property caused by him/her, if such loss or damage: occurred outside the performance of services with UNDP; or arose or resulted from gross negligence or wilful misconduct or violation or reckless disregard of applicable rules and policies by the interns.

Supervision
UNDP makes every effort to maintain the highest standards with regards to the orientation, supervision and training of interns, in order to make their time at UNDP a valuable experience. Offices are responsible for providing appropriate supervision and guidance. A supervisor must be identified for the period of the internship.

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.
Nevertheless, UNDP will provide the intern with a reference letter upon satisfactory completion of the internship.

Financial Issues
Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP.
The costs associated with the internship must be borne by the intern, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc.

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.
All applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance