Biodiversity Finance Research Intern

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 Armenia supports the Government of Armenia in advancing integrated solutions for sustainable development, including through strengthening environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable finance. In this context, UNDP is supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a GEF-8 global umbrella programme that helps countries assess biodiversity finance needs, review existing expenditures and policies, and develop practical financing solutions to support national biodiversity priorities.

As part of this effort, UNDP is also supporting the development of Biodiversity Budget Tagging (BBT) in Armenia, aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to identify, track, and better align public expenditures contributing to biodiversity-related objectives within the national public financial management system.

This work takes on particular strategic relevance as Armenia prepares to host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), a major global platform expected to bring together governments, international organizations, experts, financial institutions, private sector representatives, and civil society to accelerate implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and strengthen biodiversity action worldwide. In this context, UNDP Armenia is actively supporting strategic engagement, knowledge development, stakeholder coordination, and communication efforts related to biodiversity finance and broader biodiversity policy discussions.

To support this growing body of work, UNDP is looking for a motivated, and enthusiastic intern who could contribute to research, analysis, organizational coordination, communications, and programme support functions across the BIOFIN and BBT portfolios, with particular attention to upcoming COP17-related priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will support the BIOFIN and Biodiversity Budget Tagging (BBT) teams across the following key areas:

• Research and analytical support for strategic documents, policy materials, and knowledge products;
• Support with COP17-related organizational coordination, and event preparation;
• Communications and visibility support related to biodiversity finance and project activities;

1. Research and analytical support for strategic documents and materials

The intern will support research and analytical activities related to biodiversity finance, public finance, biodiversity policy, and sustainable development, including:

• Conduct background analysis on topics related to biodiversity finance, biodiversity policy, sustainable finance, public expenditure tracking, and related thematic areas;
• Support the preparation of briefing notes, concept notes, presentations, talking points, other materials;
• Support research on international good practices, innovative financing mechanisms, private sector engagement approaches, and biodiversity-related public finance tools;

2. Support with BIOFIN-related coordination and stakeholder engagement

The intern will support organizational efforts related to BIOFIN-related event preparations, including:

• Support preparation of meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities;
• Assist with preparation of background materials, meeting notes, and event documentation;
• Assist in tracking action points, timelines, and preparatory tasks related to biodiversity finance engagement processes;
• Provide logistical support for relevant events, consultations, and engagement activities.

3. Communications and visibility support

The intern will support communication and visibility efforts related to project implementation and biodiversity finance engagement, including:

• Support drafting of communication content, event summaries, speaking points, key messages, short articles, presentations, and visibility materials;
• Support internal and external communication efforts related to project milestones, stakeholder engagement, and biodiversity finance initiatives;
• Contribute to development of communication products that support knowledge sharing and awareness raising.

Institutional Arrangements

The intern will report to the UNDP BIOFIN Project Coordinator.

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 Environmental Studies, Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sustainable Finance, International Development, International Relations, Communications, Political Science, or other related disciplines;

b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the above disciplines;

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 programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Experience:

• Volunteer, academic, or internship experience in research, policy analysis, environmental sustainability, biodiversity, event organization, or international development-related activities is desirable;
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with biodiversity, sustainable development, public finance, environmental governance, climate policy, or related thematic areas is an advantage
• Experience working with or engaging diverse stakeholders, including government institutions, development partners, civil society, academia, financial actors, or private sector entities, is an advantage;
• Knowledge of, and/or prior experience within, the UN system or other international development organizations is considered an advantage.