UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work is carried out through a network of advisors and specialists located at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, to ensure that local knowledge and context specific expertise is linked to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP provides its policy advisory and programme support functions through the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains, in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and works closely with the Crisis Bureau (CB) that has the responsibility to guide and implement UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Nature, Climate and Energy Team as part of the GPN, supports countries to promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

The NCE Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion dollar portfolio encompasses: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems; Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Renewable and Modern Energy; Extractive Industries; Chemicals and Waste Management; Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches. This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships on natural capital, environment and climate, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which  includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF Trust Fund); the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF); the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF); and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds, UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

UNDP has embarked upon a series of transformational efforts across its policy and programme, operational, and external relations areas under the auspices of a “#NextGenUNDP” effort. The organization is aiming to digitally transform itself in order to catalyze action for the achievement of the Strategic Plan. UNDP’s digital transformation focuses on developing the organization’s capability to leverage existing, emerging and future digital technologies and the opportunities they offer to profoundly improve the way UNDP creates and delivers value and benefits for those we serve. UNDP’s recently finalized Digital Strategy 2019-2021 guides these efforts and builds off UNDP’s extensive range of digital initiatives spanning the country, regional, and global levels. In line with the digital transformation effort, the Nature, Climate and Energy Team embarked on a digital transformation project to accelerate digital innovation in collaboration with the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) in the Executive Office. The project span out an organization-wide project to develop a new ‘Covid-19 Socio-economic Data Insight Platform), with focus on providing data-driven insights to support socio-economic recovery efforts from the Covid-19 pandemic. The two project teams work hand in hand, with different parts of the distributed network of experts, as well as, other parts of the organization, in order to leverage on the wealth of knowledge, information and data within the portfolio and to promote innovation to improve its support to countries.

Under the supervision of the Digital Innovation Specialist, NCE, the interns will dynamically support the research, data collection, analytics and visualization efforts ongoing within NCE and in collaboration with other teams within UNDP.  

Data analytics work

• Provide hands-on support to analyze and visualize various types of data; 
• Conduct research on green economy and codify findings;
• Support data inventory within the portfolio and beyond;
• Provide hands-on support to develop codes to automate processes;
• Provide support on drafting communication materials and data story telling;
• Provide input and support on wider digital innovation and new technologies

Communication and administrative support

• Research and document digital innovation and technologies happening within the portfolio;
• Draft blogs and social media communication;
• Support the organization and coordination of workshops, conferences and inter-organization meetings; 
• Assist internal stakeholder consultations, setting up meetings and keeping track of engagement plans;
• Assist in securing partnerships on data and modeling;
• Draft minutes and circulates for comments and finalization; and
• Provide assistance in procurement efforts and logistical needs.

Institutional Arrangements

The intern will report to the Digital Innovation Specialist based in UNDP’s New York office within the Nature, Climate and Energy team.  S/he will also work closely with members of the digital sprint project and Covid-19 Data Platform Task Force.

Interns’ Expenses

Interns may be given a stipend under conditions prescribed in the section on stipends, below.  Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:

(a) The nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or

(b) The intern.

Stipend

Where an intern 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, will be paid by UNDP.

The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.  No other payments of any kind will be made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.

Interns will accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.

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.

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Professionalism

• Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
• Has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges;
• Facilitates discussions and meetings effectively and efficiently;
• Resolves conflicts as they arise;
• Sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently;
• Highly organized, detailed oriented.

Communication

• Writes and presents clearly and convincingly.

Education
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme 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) in fields such as Data Science, Environmental Science, Economics or other related fields;
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Data Science, Environmental Science, Economics or other related fields;
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above), and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Relevant voluntary/internship experience in the field of data analytics, data science, environment, or international development;
• Knowledge of, and/or prior experience within, the UN system is considered an advantage;
• Excellent analytical skills are required and experience in research, drafting and editing documents;
• Experience creating content for the web and/or managing different social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) is considered an advantage;
• Familiarity with agile methodology, human centered design and design thinking is considered an advantage.

Language requirements

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language is required.
• Knowledge of French considered an asset.

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.