Internship (Support for the Environment Unit, two intern vacancies)

Background

For over 50 years, UNDP has been supporting the Egyptian government and people in their efforts to reduce poverty and to promote sustainable human development policies. One of the hallmarks of UNDP Egypt’s success is its long-term support to the Government in building and sustaining strategic national institutions that have added significant value to improving people’s lives in the country.

In line with goals 7, 11 and 13, UNDP will continue to help Egypt tackle climate change mitigation, in tandem with pollution abatement, by promoting energy efficiency in cities and key economic sectors, and small-scale renewable energy technologies with poverty reduction dividends, encouraging a shift to low-emission technologies in industry. Enabling activities will continue, including capacity-building for the Government on reporting and compliance with international environment conventions such as the Paris Agreement. This will be complemented with initiatives focused on phasing out ozone-depleting substances, pursuant to the Kigali Agreement.

In line with goals 6, 14 and 15, UNDP will support the development and implementation of protected areas management plans with the Ministry of Environment, local authorities, Italian cooperation and other donors. This will involve creating effective linkages to the private sector, innovation, job creation and livelihood improvement, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment, community-based development and increased access to renewable energy sources (goals 8 and 9). UNDP will expand its engagement and reach in the waste management, in collaboration with civil society and community-based organizations, focusing on municipal waste, hazardous waste and chemicals.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative / Biodiversity Team leader and day-to-day supervision by the UNDP Deputy RR, will undertake the following assignments:

• Support Environment Unit in development and formulation of new environmental projects
• Prepare background information through research, summary notes, etc. on various environment related issues;
• Identify and suggest linkages and synergies of new projects with other CO projects;
• Support in ensuring quality of documents, concept notes and related documents;
• Undertake research on new topics as needed and advised;
• Support and backstop programme team as needed and advised by RR;
• Assist in arranging meetings, seminars, workshops, functions, etc.
• Draft and translate official correspondence;
• Support in data collection, processing, and analysis;
• Draft different documents and prepare excel spreadsheets for project budget;
• Collect, record, photocopy and compile documentation;
• Perform other duties of a reasonable nature as and when required.

Competencies

• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Attention to detail;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
• Maintain confidentiality.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

Applicants to the UNDP Internship Programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a post graduate degree programme (such as a Master’s programme, or higher); in the area of Environmental Engineering/Science, Natural resources management, sustainable development or related topic.
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as Bachelor’s level degree or equivalent); in an area related to Environment/Natural resources related topic.
• 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 of this program.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required, Arabic is an asset.

Other skills:

• Proficient usage of computers and office software package (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

– UNDP will provide a stipend in the amount of EGP 2,953 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy.