UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern would be an integrated member of the BIOFIN global team. The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the global team in their technical, management and communication activities, through the following tasks:
 

BIOFIN

• Research, collect, analyse and present the work BIOFIN has been doing in its 38 core countries.
• Review international best practices to identify case studies of nature-based finance solutions that can serve as examples for BIOFIN work.
• Further elaborate the BIOFIN financing solutions database with new entries and develop guidance materials on financing solutions for BIOFIN teams in different countries.
• Contribute developing knowledge products on cross country analysis, financing solutions for biodiversity conservation.
• Synthesize and summarize research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to BIOFIN thematic activities.
• Support the organization of events, webinars, meetings, regional calls; assist maintaining the documentation of meetings.
• Assist in boosting BIOFIN presence in digital and social media; provide assistance as required in the maintenance of the BIOFIN digital media accounts including Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.
• Monitor, analyse and synthesize the developments, press clippings and reports of BIOFIN, and maintain a database of BIOFIN news coverage and update it regularly.
• Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

BES-Net

• Support to the maintenance and upgrading of the BES-Net web-portal by:
• Uploading the relevant BES thematic knowledge resources, in particular on biodiversity finance, on the e-library; and
• Posting the latest BES opportunities on events, vacancies, etc.;
• Assessing the functionality and accuracy of the web contents, as they are revamped.
• Contribute to develop the web stories and other communication products based on the progress of the activities in the BES-Net target countries.
• Undertake research, data collection and analysis on the key BES themes, as required.
• Assist in identifying the collaboration opportunities between BIOFIN and BES-Net and liaising with the BIOFIN team on relevant issues.

Competencies

• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and deep desire to learn biodiversity finance activities.
• Demonstrates excellent research skills, verbal and written communication, organizational skills,
• Desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds,
• Be a well-organized individual with the ability to multi-task,
• Be a team player with ability to work productively and effectively with others,
• Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
3. Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in relevant discipline such as Biology, Geography, Economics, Environmental Economics, Finance, Business and Public Administration, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Communication or Engineering or other related fields, and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

1. Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset.
2. Experience in related finance area is an asset.
3. Familiarity with social media platforms or digital media channels is an asset.

Language skills:

1. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
2. Fluency and/or knowledge in an additional UN language is an asset.

Learning: 

1. The intern will develop a good overview of global biodiversity financing practices and a basic understanding of UNDP project management concepts. 
2. Enhance a portfolio of skills both in operational and managerial (organization, coordination, analysis and independent thinking).
3. Expose in the multi-cultural working environment with different stakeholders, peers, actors in biodiversity finance.