Internship – Climate and Environment Team  

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP’s The Climate and Environment Team (CET) undertakes key project initiatives to accelerate structural transformations towards green development to address the ongoing socio-economic crisis, the climate crisis and overarching environmental issues, in close partnership with relevant government stakeholders, under three core thematic areas: Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Energy & Waste Management, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction.

The CET supports the Government to meet their international obligations, such as abiding by three Rio conventions, and strengthening the policies and institutions that are in place to ensure environmental sustainability and disaster resilience. The Programme also helps promote partnerships, improve networks with stakeholders, and share knowledge on how best to tackle issues pertaining to the climate and environment, and support efforts made to achieve sustainable and environmentally sensitive development.

Post Context:

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Managers and Technical Specialists, the interns will provide support to the unit and work in close collaboration with other CET colleagues to support day to day administrative tasks such as data gathering, preparation work plans, preparation of briefing notes, etc. The interns will have the opportunity to learn in the areas of climate and environment project implementation and development. The interns will be based at the United Nations Compound in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as well as at the relevant line ministries and government agencies, and must be comfortable with field travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the project team and project implementation partners in the efficient implementation of project activities.  
• Support the project team with logistic and organizing requirements to deliver project activities such as project meetings, training programs, workshops, field visits, and other project related events.
• Assist in preparation of project communication products to capture best practices and lessons learned, raising the visibility of the project(s) – both internally and externally.
• Maintain project documents and files and ensure that the master files have all required documents for contract management.
• Support the project team with database management, and collecting, analysing, and storing data in an organized fashion.
• Assist collecting and updating of information from CET Projects and other sources as well as data entries, progress reports, and charts and graphs.
• Liaise with the Project Team to support with requests and queries from the Climate & Environment Team, the Country Office and the regional colleagues.
• Perform any additional administrative tasks, including minute-taking and report writing.
• Undertake any other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

• Proactive (able to proactively undertake tasks that fall under the TOR)
• Team Player
• Excellent writing skills
• Quick learner
• Good computer skills
• Good communication skills
• Polite and outgoing

Previous work experience and/or activities in:

• Organization of workshops/ events
• Communications and campaign management
• Research and data analysis
• Knowledge of the UN work environment is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants to the UNDP internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher).
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
3. 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.
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

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