Nature Investment Intern

Shape Sustainable Finance: Become a Nature Investment Intern Remote at UNDP!

Are you passionate about sustainable development and innovative finance? Indeed, UNDP, a leading UN Development System organization, now actively seeks three Nature Investment Intern Remote positions. This unique home-based opportunity directly contributes to redirecting global finance towards nature-positive outcomes. Ultimately, you’ll support crucial initiatives like the Nature Investment Facility and the Biodiversity Credit Alliance.

Why UNDP?

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development within the UN system. We serve as the integrator for collective action; consequently, we work to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our policy work, spanning HQ, Regional, and Country Office levels, offers deep local knowledge alongside cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Furthermore, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a vast network of technical expertise supporting our Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) develops all relevant policy and guidance. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices. They also advocate for UNDP corporate messages and represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora. Moreover, we engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlights our continued commitment to eradicating poverty and accompanying countries toward the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. As part of BPPS’s Global Policy Network, our Nature, Climate Change, Energy, and Waste Hubs promote integrated governance approaches. Additionally, they scale up nature-based solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen livelihoods, mitigate conflict, and promote resilient governance systems.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, South-South learning, and digital transformation. Ultimately, UNDP aims to foster system change for achieving the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Programme and the SDGs.

About the Nature Investments Unit

UNDP manages a growing portfolio of global projects directly implemented by its Nature Hub. These initiatives deal with emerging issues such as nature economies, green finance, and supporting countries’ actions on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Moreover, they involve private sector engagement and work with CSOs. Our corporate ERP system manages these projects, and the UNDP Nature Hub at HQ in New York coordinates support to participating countries and agencies. Global projects, furthermore, involve direct engagement with Responsible Parties (RPs), subcontractors, and sometimes Country Offices.

UNDP is expanding its efforts to engage the private sector in biodiversity financing. This contributes to redirecting global finance flows from nature-negative to nature-positive. Consequently, this serves as a prerequisite for achieving the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts include developing and operationalizing several innovative financing instruments. For instance, these include the Nature Investment Facility (NIF) and the Tiger Landscapes Investment Fund (TLIF). Additionally, the unit leads the design and operationalization of high-quality standards in the nature market. They achieve this through initiatives like the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) and the Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD). The portfolio of the unit’s activities is, indeed, expected to expand to include other innovative financing instruments.

UNDP seeks three interns to support the unit’s activities in advancing innovative financing instruments. The interns will, specifically, work with the BCA, NIF, and TLIF projects. This makes it a pivotal opportunity for a Nature Investment Intern Remote.

What You’ll Do: Key Responsibilities

As a Nature Investment Intern Remote, you’ll contribute significantly across several areas:

1. Support in Advancing Innovative Financing Instruments (40%):

• You’ll participate in and provide inputs to discussions on new financing mechanisms for biodiversity.

• You’ll facilitate meetings and discussions, offering inputs on innovative financing mechanisms, including necessary background research.

• You’ll support engagement and coordination with external stakeholders.

• You’ll undertake day-to-day activities and manage internal/external communications.

• You’ll manage and maintain relevant documents in a shared repository.

• You’ll organize meetings, including scheduling, agenda drafting, identifying speakers/panelists, and drafting minutes/reports.

• You’ll implement innovative tools to make webinars and workshops interactive.

• You’ll develop presentations, briefing notes, reports, and other relevant materials.

• You’ll conduct research on partners, donors, and other stakeholders in the innovative financing space, as needed.

• You’ll respond to stakeholder queries and support regular interactions with key stakeholders.

2. Support Communication Plan Development & Execution (40%):

• You’ll support developing specific communications plans and assets. This includes value proposition decks, briefs, case studies, and other communications materials.

• You’ll support outreach for the work through social media and other relevant channels.

3. Support Other Ad Hoc Activities (20%):

• You’ll assist with other relevant activities as needed. This includes event planning and coordination of multi-stakeholder partner meetings.

Competencies

As a successful Nature Investment Intern Remote, you’ll demonstrate the following competencies:

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

• Learn Continuously: Remains open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, and actively seeks feedback.

• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, and remains flexible.

• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, calmly delivers in the face of adversity, and maintains confidence.

• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others and forms positive relationships.

• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciates/respects differences, recognizes unconscious bias, and confronts discrimination.

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Required Skills and Experience For Nature Investment Intern

Education:

• You must enroll in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in fields such as environmental management, environmental policy, sustainability management, sustainable development, environmental economics, international relations, communications, or related fields.

• Alternatively, you may have already graduated with a university degree (as defined above). If selected, you must start the internship within one year of graduation.

 

Experience:

• Knowledge of the current state of affairs on biodiversity, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, is an asset.

• Experience developing social media materials offers an advantage.

• Experience in program management support and coordination among multiple stakeholders is an advantage.

• Experience in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation is an advantage.

• Knowledge in preparing webinars and (virtual) workshops, with experience using Zoom, MS Teams, and other tools, is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

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Internship Conditions & Financial Aspects

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the internship conditions prior to signing an agreement. For information, visit www.undp.org/internships/.

Institutional Arrangements:

• The intern will report to one of the following positions: the BCA Global Coordinator, Senior Nature Investment Advisor, or Nature Investment Facility Secretariat Coordinator.

Financial Aspects, Expenses, and Medical Benefits:

• UNDP will not pay for the internship but may provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the UNDP Internship policy.

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period.

• Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, must secure adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. They must also provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse medical insurance. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the intern’s responsibility.

• 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 the intern’s actions or omissions during the internship period.

 

Working Conditions:

 

• For in-person internships, UNDP provides workspace and equipment.

• For a Nature Investment Intern Remote position, you’ll be responsible for providing your own equipment, internet and communication access, and workspace.

Subsequent Employment:

• There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any UNDP position during their internship period.

• Important note: Interns are considered gratis personnel; they are not staff members. They may not serve as substitutes for staff nor represent UNDP in any official capacity.

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Important Disclaimer for US Permanent Residents & Non-Discrimination

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 commencing employment.

• UNDP does not provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship. Therefore, applicants should 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 for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Apply here: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1753137973532

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 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.

Scam Warning:

• The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Nature Investment Intern Remote:

Q1: What is the primary focus of these internship positions? A1: These Nature Investment Intern Remote positions focus on supporting UNDP’s innovative financing instruments aimed at redirecting global finance toward nature-positive outcomes and biodiversity conservation.

Q2: Are these positions truly home-based/remote? A2: Yes, these are home-based remote internships. Interns will, consequently, be responsible for their own equipment and internet access.

Q3: Does UNDP offer a salary or stipend for these internships? A3: UNDP does not pay for internships but may provide a monthly stipend in accordance with its Internship Policy. Medical insurance is, however, the intern’s responsibility.

Q4: What educational background is required? A4: Applicants must enroll in a graduate program or have graduated within one year in fields like environmental management, sustainable development, environmental economics, or related areas.

Q5: Is there an expectation of employment after the internship? A5: No, there is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship. Interns cannot apply for staff positions during their internship period.