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). Within the Global Policy Network, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) develops policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and provides technical advice to Country Offices.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN – was developed to provide a comprehensive methodology for governments to review the existing policy context, measure expenditure levels for biodiversity, calculate future financial needs and design strategic plans to deploy the right mix of finance solutions. BIOFIN is part of UNDP’s Nature Hub under BPPS.

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing initiative managed jointly by UNDP, UNEP-WCMC and UNESCO, supporting dialogue and capacity development around IPBES assessments, national ecosystem assessments and uptake of findings.

The intern would be an integrated member of the BIOFIN global team, while assisting remotely the BES-Net team for around 20% of the time (one day per week). The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the global team in their technical, management and communication activities.

Job Responsibilities

UNDP – BIOFIN

• Support with research, collecting, analyzing, and presenting BIOFIN Impact – assisting BIOFIN to develop 12 transformative case studies for a publication.

• Work with the Comms and KM Team to develop the newly designed Finance Solutions Catalogue.

• Assist the Comms Team in designing and implementing campaigns throughout the year.

• Contribute to the creation of a set of templates that will serve as a Comms and KM Toolkit for BIOFIN Countries.

• Support the organization of events, webinars, meetings, regional calls; assist maintaining the documentation of meetings.

• Assist in boosting BIOFIN presence in social media; provide assistance as required in the maintenance of the BIOFIN media accounts including Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.

• Support developing BIOFIN knowledge products (e.g.: blogs, articles etc.).

• Monitor, analyze, and synthesize the developments, press clippings and reports of BIOFIN, and maintain a database of BIOFIN news coverage and update it regularly.

• Attend meetings when required and take meeting minutes.

• Participate in regular interns’ meetings and report to supervisor.

• Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

UNDP – BES-Net

• Support the development of stories from countries where both BES-Net and BIOFIN operate, highlighting synergies between the two initiatives.

• Assist in compiling relevant content for monthly newsletters (e.g., the BES-Net Monthly Blast).

• Contribute to the creation of articles, including the partner/expert series, in coordination with BES-Net partner organizations and experts.

• Support the collection of information on BES Solution Fund implementation in relevant countries to aid impact tracking, as needed.

• Help identify collaboration opportunities between BIOFIN and BES-Net in relevant country offices, based on requests from the BES-Net global team, and coordinate with the BIOFIN team on related matters.

Job Requirements

Education

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

a. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme in fields such as Finance, Economics, Communications, Social Studies, Environmental or related Studies.
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme in fields such as Finance, Economics, Communications, Social Studies, Environmental or related Studies.
c. Have recently graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
d. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience

• Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset.

• Understanding of social media platforms with a creator / advocacy mindset.

• Experience with content creation platforms such as Canva.

• Experience in related finance area is an asset.

• Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems, and environment related areas is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

• Working knowledge of French is highly desirable.