Climate and Sustainable Energy Intern

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background

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 in the Kyrgyz Republic has been a trusted partner of the Government for over 20 years, working on a range of development priorities, such as sustainable economic development, environmental protection, climate action, rule of law, and others. The upcoming activities of the UNDP Country Office (CO) in the Kyrgyz Republic will be guided by its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2023-2027, as well as by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in the Kyrgyz Republic for the same timeline.

The CPD is based on the integrated programming as the key approach for UNDP’s activities to better address the inter-linkages between peacebuilding, governance, climate change, natural resources management and disaster resilience, inclusive growth, and the vertical linkages between sub-national and national governance levels, and help the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and other national stakeholders achieve goals set in the National Development Plan 2026.

The Climate Change, Environment and Energy (CCEE) Cluster of UNDP CO consists of 20+ staff, working on 20+ projects and programmes on the issues of climate mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection, biodiversity and disaster risk management.

The CCEE team is currently working on the National Human Development Report (NHDR) on energy-induced vulnerabilities, that seeks to describe energy issues in the country from a human-centred point of view. The UNDP team is also supporting the Ministry of Energy in updating the national energy efficiency policy. Following the submission of the updated NDC, UNDP is currently helping national stakeholders to draft the NDC action plan that will outline greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures until 2030. In 2023-2024, UNDP CO is planning to further assist the government in developing renewable energy policies and mechanisms for deploying affordable renewable energy solutions, as well as supporting a national dialogue on energy tariffs.

The Cluster is also working on 15+ projects in the fields of national climate adaptation policies, biodiversity and environmental protection, climate resilience, and disaster risk management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key responsibilities

The Climate and Sustainable Energy intern will support implementation of various projects and initiatives of the CCEE Cluster on energy (specifically the NHDR process) and climate change and will be responsible for the following:

• assist project teams in conducting research by collecting relevant information and analysing data for analytical notes, concept notes, policy briefs, publications, project proposals, reports and other documents;
• produce draft presentation material for internal and external meetings;
• assist project teams in organizing events (such as seminars, workshops, conferences), e.g. compiling and actualizing lists of participants, communicating with participants through different channels, ensuring on-site logistical support, etc.;
• assist project teams in knowledge management by collecting, digitizing, organizing and storing data and information;
• keep minutes of meetings and get it endorsed by responsible person(s);
• translate internal and external letters and documents into English, Kyrgyz, and Russian;
• assist the Team Leader and project teams with other analytical, administrative and operational tasks, as appropriate.

Learning Outputs

At the end of the internship, the intern is expected to have gained the following:

1. Improved capacity and experience in desk research, project management, programme development and organisation of events;
2. Improved understanding and personal experience in dealing with issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable energy and human development;
3. Improved understanding of the specifics of international development practice, particularly at UNDP.

Competencies

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Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications

The candidates should comply with the following minimum qualification requirements:

• be currently enrolled in a university degree programme (bachelor’s, master’s); or have recently graduated with a university degree (and, if selected, must start the internship within 1 year of graduation) in the fields of social sciences, economics, energy, international relations, environmental studies, business administration, public administration, political sciences, or related fields;
• currently reside in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

General requirements for this position are the following:

• Experience in research and analysis;
• Experience in organizing events;
• Experience using computer and MS Office skills, as well as skills in online communication tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom);
• Relevant volunteer experience (e.g. in extracurricular clubs, community organisations, NGOs, university, youth groups, etc.) would be highly desirable
• Proficiency in English and Russian (spoken and written); proficiency in Kyrgyz will be a strong asset;
• Proven knowledge of and/or experience with basic concepts in the fields of climate change, energy and environment;
• Demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and UNDP in particular, and personal commitment to UNDP’s Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
• Demonstrated abilities to multitask and independently organize her/his work;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant to differing opinions and views.

Financial issues and working arrangements

The intern will receive a monthly stipend as per prevailing rules. UNDP will not be able to sponsor visas / work permits and travel to and from duty station of this internship assignment (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic). The intern should be based in Bishkek throughout the whole duration of the assignment.

UNDP will provide the intern with an office desk and office wi-fi but will not be able to provide personal computer/laptop and other computer equipment.

The usual working hours at UNDP Country Office are from 9.00 to 18.00. For this internship position, it will be possible to combine work with studies and flexible working hours can be arranged upon agreement between the intern and the supervisors.