Background
CORPORATE BACKGROUND
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.
UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:
- Sustainable development
- Democratic governance and peacebuilding
- Climate and disaster resilience
In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.
INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND
The climate change and energy portfolio in UNDP Malaysia provides policy advisory and implementation support to catalyse low-carbon and climate resilient development in Malaysia. The portfolio focuses on climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and sustainable energy. Projects under the climate change and energy portfolio include, among others:
- Green Technology Application for the Development of Low Carbon Cities (GTALCC) Project, which supports the scaling up of low carbon initiatives and removing of barriers to integrated low carbon urban planning and development in Malaysian cities;
- Biennial Update Reports and National Communications Projects, which supports the preparation of the national greenhouse gas inventory and national climate change reports in fulfilment of requirements under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
- Climate Promise Project, which supports Malaysia in improving the clarity, transparency and understanding of its climate pledge, and the updating of Malaysia’s Nationally Determined Contribution for submission to the UNFCCC in 2020; and
- Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunamis Project, which strengthens the preparedness and awareness of schools to tsunamis and earthquakes.
UNDP Malaysia is seeking to recruit an intern to support the climate change and energy portfolio. The intern will work under the supervision of the Environment Analyst (Climate Change and Energy) in close collaboration with other portfolio teams in UNDP Malaysia and government partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:
- Provide assistance to the initiation and implementation of UNDP’s Climate Promise project, including data gathering and the compilation of research findings (eg case studies, best practices, lessons learnt, experiences and key narratives) on Nationally Determined Contributions and Climate Change Adaptation;
- Conduct analysis and drafting of policy briefs on selected climate change topics as determined by the supervisor;
- Provide support to the organisation of the Climate Change & Energy Portfolio’s capacity building seminars, and webinars where applicable;
- Assist with development of content for stakeholder consultation sessions;
- Prepare communication materials such as blogs, snapshots, articles, for advocacy and outreach;
- Support other relevant activities related to UNDP’s Climate Change & Energy Portfolio.
Competencies
- Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
- Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
- Good writing and oral presentation skills;
- Initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
- Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
- Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
- Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
- Currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
- Have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies; or
- Enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and internship is undertaken as part of this programme.
Field of study:
Climate change, disaster risk management, energy, sustainable development, environmental science/studies or equivalent.
Language skills:
- English proficiency is required;
- Malay proficiency is an advantage.
Objectives of the Internship
To provide tertiary-level students with an exposure to the working environment of a multilateral organization and a better understanding of UNDP Malaysia’s goals and activities, through practical and guided hands-on exposure and involvement in UNDP’s development projects in Malaysia. The internship placement should also help to build practical knowledge and skills to the intern’s theoretical knowledge of climate change issues, while providing the country office with added academic and professional experience, and new ideas.
INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS
- UNDP will provide a stipend in the amount of RM637.50 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or her/his sponsoring entity;
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
- Interns are 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;
- Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
- Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
- Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.