UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic has been a trusted partner of the Government for over 20 years, working on a range of development priorities, such as sustainable economic development, environmental protection, climate action, rule of law, and others. The upcoming activities of the UNDP Country Office (CO) in the Kyrgyz Republic will be guided by its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2023-2027, as well as by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in the Kyrgyz Republic for the same timeline.
The CPD is based on integrated programming as the key approach for UNDP’s activities to better address the inter- linkages between peacebuilding, governance, climate change, natural resources management and disaster resilience,
inclusive growth, and the vertical linkages between sub-national and national governance levels and help the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and other national stakeholders achieve goals set in the National Development Plan 2026.
The Climate Change, Environment and Energy (CCEE) Cluster of UNDP CO consists of 20+ staff, working on 20+ projects and programmes on the issues of climate mitigation and adaptation, environmental protection, biodiversity and disaster risk management.
The CCEE team is currently working on the National Human Development Report (NHDR) on energy-induced vulnerabilities, that seeks to describe energy issues in the country from a human-centred point of view. The UNDP team is also supporting the Ministry of Energy in updating the national energy efficiency policy. Following the submission of the updated NDC, UNDP is currently helping national stakeholders to draft the NDC action plan that will outline greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures until 2030. In 2023-2024, UNDP CO is planning to further assist the government in developing renewable energy policies and mechanisms for deploying affordable renewable energy solutions, as well as supporting a national dialogue on energy tariffs.
The Cluster is also working on 15+ projects in the fields of national climate adaptation policies, biodiversity and environmental protection, climate resilience, and disaster risk management.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist – Team Leader, the Intern delivers client-focused services within CCEE cluster in the area of climate, energy, biodiversity, etc.
The Intern works in close collaboration with the Programme Unit, senior management, communications specialists, and operations unit to ensure effective support to UNDP CO on various programmatic and operational matters.
The Climate and Sustainable Energy intern will support implementation of various projects and initiatives of the CCEE Cluster on climate and biodiversity and will be responsible for the following:
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Technical programme support
- Assist project teams in conducting research by collecting relevant information and analysing data for analytical notes, concept notes, policy briefs, publications, project proposals, reports and other documents;
- Produce draft presentation material for internal and external meetings;
- Assist project teams in organizing events (such as seminars, workshops, conferences), e.g. compiling and actualizing lists of participants, communicating with participants through different channels, ensuring on-site logistical support, etc.;
- Assist project teams in knowledge management by collecting, digitizing, organizing and storing data and information;
- Keep minutes of meetings and get it endorsed by responsible person(s) and submit meeting notes to the senior management;
- Translate internal and external letters and documents into English, Kyrgyz, and Russian;
- Assist the Team Leader, project teams and senior management with other analytical, administrative and operational tasks, as appropriate.
- Learning Outputs
At the end of the internship, the intern is expected to have gained the following:
- Improved capacity and experience in desk research, project management, programme development and organisation of events;
- Improved understanding and personal experience in dealing with issues of climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable energy and human development;
- Improved understanding of the specifics of international development practice, particularly at UNDP.
Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is 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 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
Business Management - Communication
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Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
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Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Management - Digital Awareness and Literacy
- Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.
- Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.
Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
Business Development - Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
- Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. •Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
- Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Communications - Multimedia production
- Ability to create and combine images, text and audio- visuals to produce multimedia content
2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature
- Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Learning for Nature
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme in social sciences, economics, international relations, environmental studies, business administration, public administration, political sciences, or related fields (such as a master’s programme, or higher); or
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, economics, international relations, environmental studies, business administration, public administration, political sciences, or related fields; or
- Have recently graduated with a university degree (in fields as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; or
- Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
- Proven knowledge of and/or experience with basic concepts in the fields of climate change, energy and environment;
- Experience in research and analysis;
- Experience in organizing events;
- Excellent digital literacy, including Microsoft Suite, Canva, online tools and applications, as well as skills in online communication tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom);
- Relevant volunteer experience (e.g. in extracurricular clubs, community organisations, NGOs, university, youth groups, etc.) would be highly desirable;
- Demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and UNDP in particular, and personal commitment to UNDP’s Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter;
- Demonstrated abilities to multitask and independently organize her/his work;
- Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant to differing opinions and views.
Languages:
- Proficiency in English and Russian (spoken and written);
- Proficiency in Kyrgyz will be a strong asset.
Financial issues and working arrangements:
- The intern will receive a monthly stipend.
- UNDP will NOT be able to sponsor visas / work permits and travel to and from duty station of this internship assignment (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic).
- The intern should be based in Bishkek throughout the whole duration of the assignment.
- UNDP will NOT be able to provide personal computer/laptop, phone and other computer equipment.
- Usual working hours at UNDP Country Office are from 9.00 to 18.00.
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.
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