Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organisation for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
UNDP’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan reaffirms our continued commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by accelerating structural transformations that advance poverty eradication, reduce inequalities, strengthen resilience, and drive sustainable, climate-aligned development.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.
As part of GPN in BPPS, UNDP's Planet Hub promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.
The Planet Hub promotes and scales up an integrated approach to deliver UNDP’s environment portfolio across nature, climate, energy, and chemicals and waste, supporting countries in advancing implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and related multilateral environmental agreements. It coordinates UNDP’s flagship offers—Nature Pledge, Climate Promise, and Energy Moonshot, and Cooling, Circularity and Pollution Prevention initiatives—to meet strong country demand across more than 140 countries. The Hub enables joined-up policy, programming, and financing solutions that accelerate low-emission, nature-positive, and pollution-free development, while strengthening resilience and advancing sustainable, inclusive growth in line with the Strategic Plan.
The UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN – was developed to provide a comprehensive methodology for governments to 1) review the existing policy context, 2) measure expenditure levels for biodiversity, 3) calculate future financial needs and 4) design strategic plans to deploy the right mix of finance solutions, tailored to the country context.
UNDP BIOFIN was created in 2012 to enable developing countries to identify and implement the most optimal financing solutions following a bottom-up approach. Starting with pilots in 12 countries, the initiative has since grown into a global community of practices engaging over 130 developing countries with 10 donors. Countries have demonstrated the approach to be viable, mobilising and re-aligning to date around US$ 2.7 billion, with the potential to reach US$ 10 billion by 2030. This includes advances in the re-alignment of subsidies to contribute to CBD GBF Target 18.
UNDP Planet Hub and BIOFIN programme in particular have been expanding efforts to engage the private sector in biodiversity financing, contributing to the overall objective of redirecting global finance flows from nature negative to nature positive, as a prerequisite system change for achieving the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among other approaches, it entails work with private sector entities to structure and deploy financing instruments at the country and landscape level, for investment in nature. This work builds on the existing country-driven opportunities and requires professional support with respect to structuring emerging blended finance instruments and supporting country teams in planning bankable conservation portfolios.
Duties and Responsibilities
The intern would be an integrated member of the BIOFIN global team. The main responsibility of the intern will be to support the global team in their technical, management, and communication activities, through the following tasks:
- Research, collect, analyze, and present the work BIOFIN has been doing in its 130+ countries.
- Review international best practices to identify case studies of nature-based finance solutions that can serve as examples for BIOFIN work.
- Assist the BIOFIN finance sources database with new entries and develop guidance materials on financing solutions for BIOFIN teams in different countries.
- Contribute developing knowledge products on cross country analysis, financing solutions for biodiversity conservation.
- Synthesize and summarize research outcomes and lessons learned into formats tailored to BIOFIN thematic activities.
- Support the organization of events, webinars, meetings, regional calls; assist maintaining the documentation of meetings.
- Support developing BIOFIN knowledge products (eg: blogs, articles etc).
- Monitor, analyze, and synthesize the developments, press clippings, and reports of BIOFIN, and maintain a database of BIOFIN news coverage and update it regularly.
- Attend meetings when required and take meeting minutes.
- Participate in regular interns’ meetings and report to supervisor.
- Supporting the operational work of BIOFIN including HR, Travel, and Events, etc
- Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pay attention to details, deliver quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
a. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in fields such as Finance, Economics, Communications, Social Studies, Environmental or related Studies;
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as Finance, Economics, Communications, Social Studies, Environmental or related Studies;
c. 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;
d. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Experience:
- Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity would be an asset;
- Experience in related finance area is an asset;
- Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems, environment related areas is an asset;
- Experience in communication-related activities; familiarity with social media platforms or digital media channels is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of UN languages will be an asset.
Internship Conditions
Applicants should become familiar with the internship conditions prior to signing an internship agreement. For information visit www.undp.org/internships/
Institutional Arrangements
The intern will report to the BIOFIN Environmental Finance Analyst for Asia and Pacific Region.
Financial aspects, expenses and medical benefits
- UNDP will not pay for the internship but may provide a stipend in monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy;
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance for the intern or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period. Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self certification of good health prior to starting the internship.
- UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
- UNDP is not responsible for any claims by an intern or third party in the case of loss or damage to property or death or personal injury as a result of actions or omissions on the part of the intern during the internship period.
Working conditions:
- When completing an in-person internship in a UNDP Office, interns must be provided with the workspace and equipment necessary to accomplish the activities related to the internship.
- When completing a remote internship, interns will be responsible for providing their own equipment, internet and communication access and work space.
Subsequent Employment
There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.
Important note:
- Interns are considered as gratis personnel. They are not staff members.
- Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
- Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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