Historique

Closely aligned with IPBES areas of work and capacity building needs, the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network  (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing network of networks that promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

The network is supported by face-to-face capacity building activities (the BES-Net “trialogues”), a matchmaking facility, and a cutting-edge web portal, all components being mutually reinforcing.

The BES-Net web portal provides a “one-stop shop” for policy relevant information and learning material, guiding users through the existing sources of thematic information and methodological tools and providing access to learning material and policy briefs. It will promote dialogue around the same thematic areas in which IPBES assessments are being conducted, as well as in key areas of UNDP’s work on biodiversity and ecosystems management for development and provide interactive features for the members of the network to interact on specific policy questions.

The face-to-face capacity building activities – the BES-Net “Trialogues” – are multi-stakeholder dialogues focusing on specific policy questions at the national and regional levels. By facilitating fruitful discussions among the three BES-Net communities of policy, science and practice, the trialogues will contribute to addressing specific policy issues to help unlock shifts in the development trajectory of societies towards sustainability.

As a signature product of UNDP’s work in biodiversity and ecosystems, BES-Net harnesses its capacity building expertise at the country-level, capitalizes on the accumulated knowledge of best practices and challenges in the field, and brings practitioners into the science-policy arena.

In implementing its mandate, BES-Net is following an inclusive approach and collaborating with various partners.

The purpose of this internship is to assist the BES-Net team in managing the BES-Net web-portal, in preparing for the first BES-Net Trialogue and in undertaking communication and networking activities.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Assist with of the management and moderation of the BES-Net web-portal

• Become familiar with the BES-Net project;
• Assist in uploading documents, videos, and social media content, etc.;
• Assist with the management of online collaboration tools;
• Assist with moderation of the website; and
• Testing the website and provide inputs in terms of user experience to further improve its usefulness.

Provide research and analysis on specific scientific themes (land degradation and restoration, pollinators pollination and food production, etc.) as they relate to biodiversity management; and produce learning materials for the web-portal- (themes to be determined)

• Research peer-reviewed scientific articles, grey literature, reports on best practices and experience learnt as well as videos and e-learning courses on given thematic areas and on cross-cutting areas in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• Organise the collected information to inform the BES-Net portal, which aims at providing a one stop shop in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• Assist with the development of new material, including summary for policy makers, info graphics, e-learning material and documents on best practices

Support in liaising with potential partners for BES-Net and in communication activities

• Support the communication activities of BES-Net through the development of dissemination material, contribution to events and through managing its contacts database, social network channels and its newsletters.

Support the refining of the methodology for the first BES-Net Trialogue to be held early 2017 through:

• Undertaking a desk study on indicators to measure the impact of the Trialogues;
• Assisting with refining the concept note for the first Trialogue to be held in Eastern Europe on pollinators, pollination and food production;
• Identifying participants;
• Logistical and communication  support.

Compétences

• Highly organized and ability to work independently;
• Detailed-oriented.  Ability to organize and summarize scientific information with ease and accuracy;
• Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically;
• Ability to interact with various type of actors (policy-makers, scientists and practitioners) with diplomacy;
• Acknowledges and responds constructively to the points of view of others.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s study required (Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Communications, etc.) having completed a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Social or Environmental Science, Communications, etc.).

Experience:

• Technical knowledge of website content management (Drupal) and moderation, online communication,networking and collaboration tools; and /or
• Experience in evaluation and monitoring if possible in the area of capacity building; and/or
• Experience in organising events; and /or
• Experience in communication.

Language:

• Strong verbal/written communication skills in English and if possible another UN language.

Conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
• 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 or for six months immediately following the expiration date of 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;
• Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

Subsequent Employment:

• The purpose of the Internship Programme 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.