Intern for Climate Change and Adaptation

UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy (BDP) and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  Its main focus is to help countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels.  The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.

Climate change is a priority area for the Environmental and Energy Group at UNDP.  Building on a history of climate change projects, tools, and resources, UNDP’s objective is to play a leading role in the UN’s climate change efforts and mobilize greater and more diverse resources for climate change initiatives. UNDP’s Strategic Plan identifies several outcomes which are relevant to climate change adaptation: (a) Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded (c) Countries have strengthened institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (e) Countries are able to reduce the likelihood of conflict, and lower the risk of natural disasters, including from climate change.

The Green, Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development Team within UNDP/GEF manages UNDP’s activities with regard to policy and projects supported by United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Global Environment Facility (GEF), bilateral, and other sources of funds. The LECRDS Team works to strengthen and expand UNDP’s services more broadly to systematically support adaptation to climate change.  Increasing emphasis will be placed on strategic partnerships, co-ordination, substantive collaboration and knowledge management to support policy coherence, and the further development of the adaptation programme.

In the context of the above, the UNDP-GEF/GLECRDS Team is currently interested in hosting an intern to support the team’s planned activities in 2015-2016. The internship will take place in Addis Ababa where the UNDP-GEF/GLECRDS team supporting countries in Africa is based.

Objective of the assignment

The intern, under the supervision of a Regional Technical Advisor on Adaptation, will support UNDP-GEF’s work on (a) integrated climate change strategies; (b) climate resilient livelihoods and (c) climate information and early warning systems as per the Scope of Work below.

Scope of work

The intern will:

• Undertake research in support of programmes/projects developed by the UNDP-GEF /GLECRDS team. This includes also editing, translation, formatting work and review of documents;
• Support GLECRDS Regional Technical Advisors with annual project reviews including compiling critical information on project results and impacts;
• Undertake monitoring visits to projects including supporting monitoring of project results and reporting;
• Prepare case studies for UNDP-GEF publications including global newsletters, pamphlets, and communication material;
• Maintain existing UNDP-ALM databases up to date with information from projects including results achieved, pictures, videos, news articles;
• Supporting the organizing of regional meetings for projects on Early Warning and National Adaptation Plans (in coordination with global and regional UNDP-GEF teams).

Technical / Functional Competencies:

• Good writing and researching skills;
• Strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills;
• Good organizational, time management and strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work flexibly and meet tight deadlines;
• Attention to details and proven ability to work independently and effectively.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback;
• Works collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external partners;
• Positive and results-oriented attitude.

Education:

• Enrolled in a degree programme in development related fields such as economics, public or business administration, law, or environmental studies at the time of application and during the internship (if a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, they are no longer eligible); or
• Have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages;
• Not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

Experience:

• Demonstrated interest in the field of development;
• Computer literate in standard software applications (knowledge of GIS and Stata programming experience would be an added advantage);
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose  and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
• Demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Language:

• Proficiency in English;
• Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Intern requiements:

• Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies;
• 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.