Spring Internship in Legal and Policy Support to the UNDP Global Environmental Finance Unit

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and helping people build a better life. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, UNDP works with countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP’s Global Environmental Finance unit (UNDP-GEF) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). UNDP partners with seven global environmental vertical funds to catalyze environmental finance for sustainable development.  Six of these funds are managed by the UNDP – GEF unit and one by the Montreal Protocol Unit (MPU). The six funds managed by the UNDP – GEF Unit are: Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF TF); Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF); Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF); the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF); the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). UNDP has assisted over 140 countries to access more than USD 2.8 billion in climate finance for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and programmes.

The Directorate of the UNDP –GEF Unit is tasked with managing UNDP’s relationship with the Secretariats and Governing Bodies of the global environmental vertical funds, and to actively participate in relevant meetings and external processes of these funds. The Directorate is also required to track and engage with a complex variety of different policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and other obligations of UNDP and these global environmental funds, ensuring effective compliance and harmonization, as well as keeping UNDP staff around the world fully informed and trained in key issues concerning UNDP engagement with the funds. 

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the newest environmental vertical fund partner of UNDP. UNDP-GEF is the designated GCF Focal Point for UNDP. UNDP-GEF staff are tasked with supporting countries in accessing GCF resources by providing specialized programming and implementation support services in two thematic areas: (i) sustainable, affordable and accessible energy services; and (ii) scaling up climate change adaptation and mitigation.

UNDP became an accredited entity of the GCF in March 2015 and was the first UN agency to be accredited. In August 2016, UNDP and the GCF signed an Accreditation Master Agreement (AMA), the legal framework agreement that all accredited entities need to sign before their accreditation is complete and before they can receive GCF resources for any GCF-funded project.

UNDP is currently among the most active accredited entities of the GCF with 17 projects approved to date. Funding Activity Agreements (FAA) are project-specific legal agreement between GCF and UNDP that every approved project (funding activity) must sign. FAAs define the specific terms and responsibilities for implementation of a given GCF project under the AMA umbrella and in line with GCF Board decision. In the context of GCF, UNDP-GEF Directorate staff are responsible for overseeing all legal, operational, financial and M&E requirements of UNDP engagement with the GCF, including compliance with conditions of our AMA and the timely negotiation and execution of Funding Activity Agreements for every UNDP project approved by the GCF.

DESCRIPTION OF INTERNSHIP

The UNDP-GEF Directorate team is looking to recruit a spring intern to assist the Directorate in a range of legal, operational, financial and corporate support services related to UNDP engagement with our vertical fund partners, with a particular focus on UNDP’s engagement with the GCF.

The intern will assist UNDP-GEF Directorate staff, and in particular the UNDP-GEF Environmental Policy and Legal Specialist (who serves as the main day-to-day counterpart with the GCF Secretariat on all policy, operational and legal issues) with a variety of discrete and ongoing legal and operational tasks related to UNDP’s engagement with the policies, rules, regulations, procedures of the GCF, ensuring effective compliance and harmonization, as well as assisting in internal and external communication with stakeholders.

A key aspect of the internship will be tracking and reviewing various legal and operational agreements between UNDP and the GCF, including Funding Activity Agreements for approved projects, to ensure timely compliance with corporate milestones and standardized templates.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities      

Duties will comprise, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Assisting the UNDP-GEF Environmental Policy and Legal Specialist in tracking the policies, rules, regulations, procedures, legal, and other requirements of the GEF and GCF, including review of GCF Board policies and decisions;
• Research on policy matters related to UNDP-GEF as required, in collaboration with relevant offices and units in UNDP, such as the Legal Office. This may include matters involving issues of international, public, private and administrative law/policies, and participation in negotiations on a wide variety of topics;
• Review of Funding Activity Agreements between UNDP and the GCF;
• Preparing and updating the operational aspects of Standard Operational Procedures for UNDP engagement with GCF;
• Helping establish and manage systems for monitoring and ensuring compliance with new or changing policies, rules, and regulations of the GCF, including assistance with internal review and clearance procedures and other mechanisms as appropriate;
• Conducting due diligence on the proposed legal and operational structure of UNDP projects for the GCF to ensure compliance with UNDP and GCF standards;
• Assist in the development of guidance to UNDP-GEF staff on all matters relating to the negotiation of agreements, contracts and instruments, and engaging the UNDP Legal Office and other departments as required;
• Other tasks as agreed with the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangements

The intern will report to the UNDP-GEF Environmental Policy and Legal Specialist. The intern will further interact more broadly with UNDP-GEF team members in NY, in regional offices, with UNDP country offices and with UNDP partners.

Duration

Candidates should be available to work at UNDP’s offices in New York, USA for a 12-week period. UNDP can be flexible about the start and end dates.  The expected start date is by April 10th or sooner.

Intern's Expenses

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the programme must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution, or government which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Insurance

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP. 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.  Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern.  For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which: 

• Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment; 
• Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence. 

Subsequent Employment

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

Third-party claims

UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Strong organizational, reporting and writing abilities;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Results driven, able to meet targets/deadlines;
• Capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
• Creative thinking ability;
• Highly organized and an ability to work independently and with initiative;
• Ability to work within a team;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• High level of attention to detail required;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Completion or Enrollment in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in law, business, international/public affairs, or environmental studies (candidates with a legal degree will be at an advantage); or
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
• Demonstrable academic interest in climate or environmental law issues.

Experience

• At least 2 full years of professional full-time experience;
• Academic and/or professional experience in international law or environmental law. Candidates with a background in legal professional services will be at an advantage;
• Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint and communication skills.

Languages

• Written and spoken proficiency in English;
• Written and spoken proficiency in another language is an advantage.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

• letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• letter of recommendation from a professor;
• copy of his/her most recent school transcript;
• copy of passport;
• a copy of US Visa if the intern is not a US Citizen;
• completed UNDP internship application form;
• signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• Medical Certificate of Good Health;
• Proof of medical insurance.

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.