INTERNSHIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION @ UNDP (Addis Ababa)

Background

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 2014. The internship will take place in Addis Ababa where the UNDP-GEF/GLECRDS team supporting countries in Africa is based.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives 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). Duration of the assignment, duty station and conditions governing the Internship: The internship will be for a period of 6 months, starting in January 2015. The internship will be not be remunerated. The intern is responsible to secure and providing proof to UNDP of full coverage of living expenses as well as obtaining any necessary visas and has to provide proof of the enrolment in a health and life insurance plan.

Competencies

Core Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism. Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning: Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to the UN practice areas; Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UN practice areas; Develops deep knowledge  in practice areas; Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the office; Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills. Development and Operational Effectiveness: Ability to elaborate and implement communications and publications strategies; Demonstrated effectiveness in developing advocacy campaigns, including well-written information about UNCT, its objectives and activities; Ability to effectively manage media engagements; Demonstrates sound political judgment; Demonstrates excellent ability to write and communicate orally with accuracy and professionalism in English; Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies; Demonstrates strong IT skills including website management. Management and Leadership: Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; Strong team player.

Required Skills and Experience

Enrolment/Education: Enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) 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: Computer literate in standard software applications and 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; and  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 and normally at least one additional UNDP working language (i.e., French or Spanish); Fluency in Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian is an asset. APPLY HERE