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.
The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative managed jointly by UNDP, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and SwedBio. It promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice sectors for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development. BES-Net complements and contributes to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) by aligning its activities with the IPBES global assessment themes and applying the related IPBES guidance documents.
The BES-Net initiative is carried out through four inter-linked activities:
Face-to-face capacity building support through Trialogues: Trialogues bring together BES-Net’s three target communities of science, policy and practice for face-to-face dialogues. Fostering mutual learning, inter-cultural understanding and inter-institutional coordination on specific policy-relevant questions at the national and regional levels, Trialogues strengthen the interface between these communities, and enhance national capacity to integrate scientific findings into policy, decision-making and on-the-ground practices.
National ecosystem assessments (NEA): BES-Net supports the development of capacity in selected countries to conduct NEAs, complementing the global assessments being undertaken by IPBES. Leveraging the expertise of the Sub-Global Assessment Network (SGAN), the NEA process encompasses not only the production of national assessment reports but also the development of a set of policy support tools to integrate assessment findings into decision-making.
Post Trialogue/NEA uptake support: BES-Net provides the target countries which have participated in the Regional Trialogue process and/or completed NEA with catalytic seed funds. The fund is to assist the country team’s efforts in implementing the key action points generated through the Regional Trialogue for the IPBES assessment uptake or the key NEA recommendations in policy, science and practice fields.
Online Platforms for networking: The BES-Net web portal offers a comprehensive knowledge resource library on biodiversity and ecosystems services, and a rich database of organizations and experts working on the IPBES thematic assessment areas. The latest news and updates from BES-Net and its network partners are circulated via social media channels and disseminated through bi-monthly e-newsletters.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern would be an integral member of the Communications team under BES-Net under the supervision of the Policy Specialist and working in very close coordination with the Online Platforms Support Officer and the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer/focal point. The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the communications team in their day-to-day activities as well as co-lead strategic outreach and advocacy opportunities through the following tasks:
Assist with the management of the BES-Net website:
Assist in uploading publications, documents, photos/videos, events, jobs etc. to the website;
Liaise with team members, country teams and UNESCO and UNEP-WCMC in reviewing and updating latest content from country teams on the website;
Assist with website improvements as required (e.g. adding metadescriptions, improving SEO, cleaning the back end, etc.);
Periodically check and test website functionalities and provide inputs in terms of user experience for further improvements.
Provide editorial support:
Conduct research and draft articles on given thematic areas and cross-cutting areas in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
Contribute to developing web stories and other communication products based on the progress of the activities in the BES-Net target countries;
Support the development of the partner/expert of the month articles in coordination with respective BES-Net partner organizations and experts;
Assist in the production of the monthly e-newsletter;
Support the production of new knowledge products, including infographics, multimedia materials, MOOCs and e-learning material and publications on best practices;
Support in drafting video scripts, assist in video editing for social media videos on key biodiversity themes;
Research peer-reviewed scientific articles, grey literature, reports on best practices and experience learnt, as well as events, job opportunities and e-learning courses on given thematic areas and cross-cutting areas in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services;
Translate articles and social media posts from English to French or Spanish.
Assist with other tasks as needed:
Support the planning and organization of events, virtual workshops, meetings and webinars, including the documentation of events;
Attend meetings when required and taking meeting minutes;
Undertake research, data collection and analysis on the key BES themes, as required;
Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.
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 graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in relevant discipline and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
Experience:
Experience in communication-related activities;
Familiarity with social media platforms, digital media channels and website content management is an asset;
Knowledge and experience of online networking and/or collaboration tools is an asset;
Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems or environment-related areas is an asset;
Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset.
Language skills:
Proficiency in written and spoken English required;
Proficiency in written and spoken French or Spanish required;
Fluency and/or knowledge in an additional UN language is an asset.
