UNDP Jobs - 85053- Ecosystem and Biodiversity Portfolio Knowledge Man

Ecosystem and Biodiversity Portfolio Knowledge Management and Programme Support Internship

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

29-May-2019

Application Deadline :

15-May-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 - 6 months full time

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months full time

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

Within UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), the Ecosystems and Biodiversity (EBD) team under the Global Environmental Finance unit is engaged in supporting developing countries to access finance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other sources on issues relating to biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural and production landscapes and seascapes. The EBD team additionally provides support through global projects on related policy, finance and capacity development. The EBD portfolio includes over 400 national projects in over 130 countries with oversight and technical support provided by a Senior Technical Advisor (STA) and Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs), as well as, a range of global initiatives including the Biodiversity Finance Initiative and support for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans and related national reporting. In addition, UNDP has recently launched a new initiative, the Lion’s Share, tapping new private sector resources for wildlife conservation. In order to manage this large portfolio, support of an intern are sought to carryout research and product development support to improve knowledge management and communication work to support the portfolio.

The EBD team has an opportunity to strengthen its knowledge management system to better inform ongoing and future biodiversity and ecosystem management work by UNDP and partner agencies, providing a range of workable solutions that can be upscaled. An intern is being sought to contribute to the development this opportunity, including support for the knowledge management platform PANORMA: Solutions for a Healthy Platform, of which UNDP has recently become a co-coordinator for the Protected Areas thematic community. The intern will also provide direct implementation support of global projects including the Lion’s Share.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will provide support to EBD team’s efforts to strengthen its knowledge management system and production of a series of knowledge management and communication products. These could include project communication pieces and “position papers” outlining strategies of the UNDP in different thematic areas of EBD work such as biodiversity finance, illicit wildlife trafficking, sustainable forest management, wetland conservation and restoration, sustainable land management, alternative livelihoods, etc.

Tasks to completed:

Review in detail existing EBD portfolio and “mining” of best practice case studies and lessons from individual projects;
Provide support to the PANORAMA: Solutions for a Healthy Planet Platform Secretariat including reviewing protected area submissions and preparing social media posts;
Analyze critical success/non-success factors, codify and document these, while liaising with regional technical advisers, country offices and project teams as appropriate;
Conduct literature review on various thematic areas to ensure technical quality of knowledge management products;
Prepare text and photographs for the knowledge management and communication products;
Provide administrative support to the Lion’s Share Secretariat in operationalizing the Fund;
Provide support to organization of events for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July;
Support compilation of communication materials, project stories, and dissemination;
Support a range of administrative tasks including procurement, meeting, and conference organizations;
Support the ecosystems and biodiversity portfolio management in ad hoc tasks as they arise.

Institutional Arrangements

The intern will report to the Head of Ecosystem and Biodiversity within the UNDP-GEF team. S/he will also work with regional technical advisers stationed in regional centers.

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.

Insurance

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern. Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their 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.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Strong organizational, analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines;
Capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
Creative thinking ability;
Highly organized and an ability to work independently;
Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in environmental policy, biological sciences, geography, economics, law or related field; or
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in environmental policy, biological sciences, geography, economics, law or related field;
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience

Voluntary / internship experience in conducting research and process management in the field of environment, governance or business;
Developing country experience an advantage;
Any experience in communication work is an advantage;
Prior experience working on land and/or marine conservation (SDG 14 and/or 15) is considered an advantage;
Demonstrated research and ability to extract and compile information based on research undertaken as part of University coursework or outside work;
Extensive IT skills including design software and social media applications;
Experience creating content for the web and/or managing different media platforms is desirable.

Languages

Written and spoken proficiency in English.

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

letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
letter of recommendation from a professor;
copy of his/her most recent school transcript;
copy of passport;
a copy of US Visa if the intern is not a US Citizen;
completed UNDP internship application form;
signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of medical insurance.

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.