Background
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.
UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) develops policy guidance and provides technical advice to support the implementation of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Within BPPS, the Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies. The NCE portfolio encompasses biodiversity and ecosystem services, sustainable land management, water and ocean governance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, renewable energy, chemicals and waste management, and green/circular economy approaches.
At the regional level, the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) - part of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS (RBEC) - serves as the advisory hub for 18 countries and territories across Europe and Central Asia. The IRH’s Nature, Climate and Energy Team houses the regional International Waters portfolio, which supports transboundary water cooperation, marine litter prevention, and ecosystem protection across the RBEC region.
The regional International Waters portfolio brings together projects under this framework, implemented by UNDP in cooperation with partner organizations and Country Offices across the region. These projects aim to support riparian and coastal countries in the joint management of shared river basins, lakes, aquifers and seas, to prevent and reduce pollution, including marine litter and plastic pollution, and to protect and restore water-related ecosystems through improved water governance, waste management and community engagement. They are financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partners and are implemented in close cooperation with regional bodies and national institutions.
Under the supervision of the Caspian Marine Litter Project Manager and in close cooperation with the regional International Waters Team, the intern will support the overall International Waters portfolio of the IRH Nature, Climate and Energy Team.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will be an integrated member of the International Waters (IW) regional team. The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the regional team in its technical, analytical, management and communication activities, through the following tasks:
Research and Analysis
- Research, collect, analyse, synthesize and present information and data on the work carried out under the International Waters portfolio across the region, including results, indicator data, lessons learned and success stories, for reporting, communication and knowledge-sharing purposes;
- Maintain an up-to-date portfolio database of IW projects in the region (countries, partners, donors, budgets, timelines, key indicators and results) as a basis for analysis, reporting and communication products;
- Review international best practices and identify relevant case studies on transboundary water governance, regional cooperation and sustainable management of shared water resources and marine ecosystems, and contribute to technical background analyses and knowledge products that can inform the work of the IW regional team;
- Review relevant international practices, initiatives and funding opportunities and compile examples, data and reports that may inform resource mobilization efforts for the regional IW portfolio;
- Maintain a database of financing sources and funding opportunities relevant to the IW portfolio (e.g., GEF, Adaptation Fund, GCF, EU, IFIs and bilateral donors), including calls, deadlines and eligibility criteria;
- Process, analyse and visualize project data and indicators (e.g., using Excel, GIS or data visualization tools) to inform analysis, reporting and knowledge products;
Communication and Visibility
- Review existing communication and visibility tools and platforms used by UNDP Regional Hub and Country Offices involved in IW projects, including websites, social media and other relevant platforms, and identify gaps, i.e. where projects from the IW portfolio are not currently presented but could be promoted, as well as opportunities to strengthen the visibility of the IW portfolio, and on this basis support the development of a communication strategy for the regional IW portfolio;
- Support the development of data visualization and communication products (e.g., infographics, factsheets, maps) showcasing the regional IW portfolio, projects, results and achievements;
- Support the development of stories from countries where IW projects are implemented, for use in promoting and showcasing the IW portfolio;
- Support the development of a communication strategy for the regional IW portfolio, including recommendations for improving the presentation and promotion of IW projects through relevant UNDP platforms;
- Support the development of visibility guidelines for regional IW projects, taking into account UNDP and GEF branding and visibility requirements, GEF IW practices, and relevant provisions in project documents and agreements with implementing partners;
- Support the review, organization and transition of relevant project communication content, including website content, to appropriate UNDP regional platforms and repositories;
- Assist in boosting IW presence on social media and provide assistance as required in the maintenance of IW media accounts, including the website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, etc.;
- Support the development of IW knowledge products (e.g., blogs, articles, briefs, etc.), including those based on cross-country analysis, lessons learned and good practices from International Waters projects in the region;
- Contribute to the development of knowledge products based on cross-country analysis, lessons learned and good practices from other International Waters projects in the region;
- Support the development and maintenance of communication logs and communication plans for IW projects.
Coordination and Event Support
- Support the organization of meetings, webinars, regional events and other activities, including the preparation of background materials and meeting documentation;
- Attend meetings when required and take meeting minutes;
- Participate in regular regional meetings and report to the supervisor;
- Support the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of IW projects, including baseline data collection, compilation of monitoring data and liaison with implementing Country Offices.
Other
- Support other/ad hoc activities as relevant and needed.
Competencies
- Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and deep desire to learn international waters activities;
- Demonstrates excellent research and analytical skills, verbal and written communication, and 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 multitask, including in online or hybrid setting;
- 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:
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
- Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Studies in environmental sciences or engineering, water resources management, natural resources management, international development or a related field are desirable.
Experience:
- Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset;
- Experience or academic background in International Waters, water resources management, marine and coastal environment or related technical areas is an asset;
- Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems, and environment related areas is an asset;
- Experience in communication and visibility-related activities is an asset; familiarity with social media platforms, websites or digital media channels is an asset.
- Experience with research, data analysis, report writing or project support is an asset;
- Familiarity with data management and visualization tools is an asset.
Language skills:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English is required;
- The intern will develop a good overview of international waters project practices and a basic understanding of UNDP project management concepts;
- Enhance a portfolio of technical, operational and managerial skills (research and data analysis, organization, coordination and independent thinking);
- Exposure to a multicultural working environment, working with different stakeholders, peers and actors in the fields of International Waters, water governance and environmental cooperation.
Learning:
- The intern will develop a good overview of international waters project practices and a basic understanding of UNDP project management concepts;
- Enhance a portfolio of technical, operational and managerial skills (research and data analysis, organization, coordination and independent thinking);
- Exposure to a multicultural working environment, working with different stakeholders, peers and actors in the fields of International Waters, water governance and environmental cooperation.
Additional Information
Financial Issues:
- Internships within the UN system is subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her remote internship agreement.
- Starting from January 2020 interns will receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations.
- Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution, or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs.
Application procedure:
The application should contain:
- Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post and your availability.
- Current and complete CV in English.
Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Candidates who are selected must submit following documents:
- Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme;
- Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.
Conditions:
UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness, or death during the internship;
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
Interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.
Subsequent Employment
The purpose of the internship 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;
More information available at: https://www.undp.org/careers/types-of-opportunities/internships
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
