Job Description
The Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN – is a global programme that developed, piloted, and is continuouslymproving a methodology to measure existing biodiversity expenditure levels, assess future financial needs, and design comprehensive plans to use finance tools and solutions that increase financing, effectiveness and efficiency of biodiversity management in up to 132 countries. BIOFIN’s first phase (2012-2018) enabled full assessments and initial implementation of finance plan elements in target countries. Significant scaling up of finance solutions is required in all countries to address the biodiversity finance challenge. BIOFIN’s second phase enables up to 132 countries to complete the design and implementation of priority finance solutions and allowed a further 11 countries to undertake the assessments and create the finance plan. At the central level, knowledge management platforms will be expanded and additional guidance produced for most valuable finance solutions.The primary objective of BIOFIN Phase I was to develop and pilot a new methodological framework – the BIOFIN Workbook – to help countries mobilise sufficient resources to implement their national biodiversity policies. The fully updated Methodology released in 2018 (in English, Spanish, Russian and French) integrates lessons learned from implementation, and highlights practical examples. For the second phase, BIOFIN follows a two-pronged strategy. Firstly, it strives to generate high levels of awareness and technical capacity about the wider range of possible finance solutions that are available to countries and locales. This is complemented by developing supporting guidance and knowledge products for those areas where limited resources are available. Second, it actively supports the implementation of finance plans and solutions on the ground, working to develop feasibility studies, design new policies, enable the required capacity development, support advocacy of prioritised finance solutions, and implement through piloting and scaling. For more information see BIOFIN website – www.biofin.org. BES-NET The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative managed jointly by UNDP, UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and UNESCO with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and SwedBio at Stockholm Resilience Centre. In support of the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), BES-Net: · Promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice sectors around the latest IPBES assessment themes for more coordinated and evidence-based BES management, using the Trialogue methodology; · Supports the development of capacity in selected countries to conduct the national ecosystem assessment (NEA), completing the global assessment being undertaken by IPBES; · Provides the target countries with catalytic seed fund for the uptake of the key findings and recommendations of the IPBES assessments/NEAs in the policy, science and practice sectors; · Enhances the global BES network by developing a rich database of organizations and experts working on different IPBES assessment theme areas and making the latest BES related news and updates available on the web portal and the social media channels. Duties and Responsibilities 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, through the following tasks:BIOFIN Research, collect, analyze, and present the work BIOFIN has been doing in its 41+ core countries; Review international best practices to identify case studies of nature-based finance solutions that can serve as examples for BIOFIN work; Assist the BIOFIN finance sources 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 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 taking meeting minutes; Participate in regular interns’ meetings and report to supervisor; Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed. BES-Net Contribute to reviewing and editing web stories and other communication products and undertaking relevant research for the articles based on the progress of the activities in the BES-Net target countries (at least two stories/materials per assignment); Support the planning and the organization of virtual and in-person workshops, meetings, and events, including the documentation of events, as per BES-Net team’s request; Assist in developing monthly newsletters (i.e., BES-Net Monthly Blast) by compiling relevant content; Support the development of articles, including partner/expert series, in coordination with respective BES-Net partner organizations and experts; Provide project management assistance and support and review reports from the BES Solution Fund countries, as required; and Assist in identifying collaboration opportunities between BIOFIN and BES-Net in relevant country offices following BES-Net global team’s requests 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 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 if this program. Experience: Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset; Experience in related finance area is an asset; Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems, and environment related areas is an asset; · Experience in communication related activities; familiarity with social media platforms or digital media channels is an asset 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 Financial Issues: Internships within the UN system is subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her 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.
