Background

How much money is being spent on conserving India’s biodiversity? Is it enough? Does this work need more funding? Or do we need better utilization of the funds already committed for biodiversity conservation in the country? Such questions can be answered only if we have a precise estimate of the amounts being currently spent on conserving biodiversity in India. Thus, to understand biodiversity finance and to bridge the gap between what is being spent for biodiversity conservation and what is needed, UNDP initiated the BIOFIN Project in 2012 globally and India became part of the BIOFIN Process in 2015.

BIOFIN aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into National Development and Sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national Resource mobilizing strategies. BIOFIN thus hopes to provide a framework for undertaking 'Bottom-up' analyses of the biodiversity finance gap and resource mobilization strategies, through a transformative process led by national stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assessment of Central Sector Schemes and identifying key plug points for mainstreaming biodiversity components into the schemes.
  • Contribute to the Economic and Finance plan aspect of the BioFin Handbook envisaged for India.
  • Exploring different financing methods like Venture Capital, Climate funds, Green Bonds, Sovereign wealth funds and many other methods can be used to raise the required funds for the NBAP.
  • Providing inputs for draft report preparation based on the data tables and analysis.
  • Any other tasks assigned by the mentors and supervisors.

Competencies

  • Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Keen attention to detail;
  • Excellent analytical and research skills;
  • Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet following requirement: 

  1. Candidate must be pursuing master’s degree programme, specifically MSc in Finance preferably with specialization in Corporate Finance. 

Skills: 

  • Experience in data collection and valuation, research and analysis
  • Knowledge of Financial modelling
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Good command in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as handling web-based applications.  

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in English. 

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

  • The completed “Internship Intern Form” available on the UNDP India website at Internship Intern Form should be completed.
  • CV in English;

Please group the above two documents into one (1) single PDF document and upload document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection:

  • Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in their undergraduate or graduate-level degree programme;
  • Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.

Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements:

  • As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
     
  • Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan.
     
  • Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
     
  • 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.  
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
     
  • The purpose of the internship 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.
     
  • The intern will be evaluated at the end of the internship.

IMPORTANT: Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosed that he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, if the internship has started, to terminate it without notice or indemnity.

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 be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks.