Background

Based in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Sustainable Development Cluster, the Global Programme on Nature for Development has the objective to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

This objective is achieved through several inter-related areas of work:

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

  • Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives;
  • Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice;
  • Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
  • Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas:

  • NBSAP Support – providing technical support to countries on implementing their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, facilitating communities of practice, providing support on peer reviews, and identifying best practices
  • National Reporting – supporting countries in the development and dissemination of National Reports on biodiversity
  • Capacity Building – providing in-person and online training in a variety of key areas related to the intersection of nature and development.

In close partnership with implementing partners, the Global Program on Nature for Development is convening a Global Platform on the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) and serving as its secretariat to support collaborative multi-stakeholder implementation of the NYDF, contribute to the achievement of the ambitious global forest and climate targets in the NYDF, and facilitating multi-sectoral dialogue and partnerships designed to implement the NYDF. As part of this work, the Global Program on Nature for Development seeks to empower forest dependent indigenous peoples and local communities to participate in decision-making processes and highlighting their contribution to forest protection, sustainable forest management, and climate mitigation and adaptation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be based in the New York office. Responsibilities may include but will not be limited to the following, as outlined below. Language skills are a strong assets. The intern will assist the Global Programme on Nature for Development in all aspects of the work, with specific emphasis on supporting the manager, in particular through research and writing. S/he will report to the manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

Duties and responsibilities include:

  • As identified by the Project Manager(s), support areas of work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development through general support, content creation, administrative support, outreach, and communications.
  • Support literature reviews, desk top reviews, compilation of information, and gathering of data on topics pertinent to the Project, such as, but not limited to biodiversity and ecosystems in national, local, and international contexts, sustainable development, forest management, local community and indigenous peoples; social entrepreneurship and impact investing; involvement in global policy processes.
  • Support organization of workshops and events, both online and in-person, assisting with preparations for workshop participants, and liaising with event partners and panelists.
  • Support outreach efforts through newsletters, social media, and direct mailing.
  • Support communications efforts, such as drafting of press releases, talking points, articles for magazines and journals, social media materials and photo stories.
  • Support knowledge management efforts and gathering and dissemination of best practices, including data analysis.
  • Liaise with community based initiatives, governments, research institutes, and the private sector as needed;
  • Write reports and summaries for websites, support development of publications both on content and administrative aspects, including review of photo assets.
  • Administrative duties, translations, and database entry as identified to ensure the smooth operation of the office.
  • Other duties as necessary.

Please upload a resume/CV and cover letter/statement of interest combined one file as the system only accepts one attachment.

Competencies

Core competencies:

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Accountability
  • Commitment to continuous Learning

Functional competencies:

  • Effective communications and computer skills (MS Office package, Internet research);
  • Team worker who consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Detail-oriented, produces quality outputs in a timely manner when assigned a given task;
  • Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under tight deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • 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.

Experience

  • Demonstrated interest in the fields of development and environment;
  • Strong writing skills required;
  • Prior experience working on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual level is a strong asset: biodiversity/climate change; human/civil/indigenous rights; social entrepreneurship/impact investing; civil society engagement.
  • Prior experience working at the local level on sustainable development, indigenous and/or human rights issues in developing countries would be an asset;
  • Prior experience (e.g. through internships or voluntary work) in international affairs, supporting international events, communications and/or local development is considered an asset;

Language

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Knowledge of additional languages an asset, in particular French, Spanish, or Portuguese.

 

Working Hours:

  • Full time, five days per week;.
  • Days off will be granted as needed and in compliance with the UNDP internship policy.

Conditions for internships:            

  • The UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
  • The intern will need to provide proof of health and life/accident insurance;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where 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;
  • The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;                                                                 

Please upload a resume/CV and cover letter/statement of interest combined one file as the system only accepts one attachment.