Intern- Sustainable Land Management

Contract

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

Background

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation andand accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Project Background

UNDP has been working closely with MoEFCC to develop projects on Sustainable Land Management and Ecosystem Restoration, for various donors including the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The projects will contribute to the UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality target of the country, and the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. UNDP is also working with MoEFCC to develop a project to support a national programme on restoring the degraded landscapes in the Aravalli region. Building on these projects, UNDP will also support and strengthen the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management for South-South Cooperation.

UNDP seeks to engage a Sustainable Land Management intern to provide overall support towards implementation of the land restoration and ecosystem restoration related projects through in-depth literature review and research, collection and collation of data, and synthesis of large datasets. The intern will report to the Senior Programme Officer, Biodiversity Finance and Sustainable Land Management, and shall be closely working with the other team members.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of Senior Programme Officer, Biodiversity Finance and Sustainable Land Management, the intern is expected to:

• Support the project team in undertaking research and documentation, developing concept notes, and communication materials towards implementation of the projects on land restoration.

• Participate in and contribute to preparation, conduct and follow-up of meetings, workshops and consultations as needed by engaging with relevant stakeholders including governments, communities and donors.

• Ensure documentation of agendas and minutes of key workshops and consultation meetings, especially of the UN working groups.

• Contribute towards furthering the priorities of UNDP and Government of India towards international commitments such as UNCCD, UNFCCC and CBD within the purview of the project.

• Any other tasks and responsibilities related to the project assigned by UNDP.

Competencies

• Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Keen attention to detail;

• Excellent designing skills;

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;

• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;

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/diploma programme in environment science, natural resources management, ecosystem restoration, wetlands management, sustainable development, or a related field;

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a relevant 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.

Skills

• Experience in research and documentation on environment, restoration, and conservation issues.

• Basic understanding of issues pertaining to natural resource management, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation especially NBSAP and National Reports to CBD.

• Good team player and ability to adapt to change in work environment.\

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and understanding of Hindi is desirable.

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

• The completed “Application Form” including names of 3 referees.
• Current and completed CV in English;

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents, upon selection:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in their undergraduate or 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.

Kindly note, UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements:

Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid monthly and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• 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.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the internship.

IMPORTANT: Family relationships are required to be disclosed in order to avoid real or perceived family influence or conflict of interest, within UNDP. If the candidate/ hiring manager has not disclosedthat he/she was related to an individual employed by UNDP in whatever contractual modality and irrespective of the nature of the family relationship, this may constitute a basis for withdrawing the offer of internship or, if the internship has started, to terminate it without notice or indemnity.