UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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.
Backgroundย
UNDP Jordan Country Program aims to support the national efforts in reaching a solution pathway that boosts the resilience and inclusion of the nation through its five programmatic pillars and can efficiently address the development challenges it is faced with.ย Among these pillars is the Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Pillar that assists the country to integrate the environmental concerns, climate adaptation plans, and Disaster Risks Reduction in the national and sectoral strategies, secure resources, and foster sustainable development through advocacy, program implementation, and coordination.ย
The Green Pathways and Inclusive Growth Portfolio supports for nationally owned sustainable development pathways that include the following areas:ย Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Sustainable Land Management and Desertification; Water and Marine Governance; Climate Change and Drought; Energy; Waste Management; Green Economy; and Disaster Risks Reduction. Driving towards these goals, UNDP Jordan CO supported Jordan to release its National Climate Change Policy (CCP) for 2022-2050 and the Natural Disaster Risk Reduction National Strategy 2023-2030.
UNDP collaborates with ASEZA and partners to implement several projects/interventions funded by EU, GCFR, GEF, GAC, Norway, etc. to enhance coastal biodiversity and conservation capacity, climate resilience, blue and green economy, sustainable tourism and management.ย
Efforts align with national and international strategies and policies, including, but not limited to: Jordanโs Economic Modernization Vision Executive Program 2023 โ 2025, the Jordanian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), ASEZAโs 2024 Coastal Zone Management Law and DRR, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and its recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and other pertinent national and international frameworks.
The Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) is home to a unique and diverse marine ecosystem, including a rich diversity of marine life, with natural coral reefs being an essential component of this ecosystem and are vital to the health of the marine environment. Due to increasing human activities, climate change, and other environmental stressors, these ecosystems are under threat. As part of the project to bolster the resilience of the GoAโs marine ecosystems, a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework is needed to guide the sustainable management of its biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
The UNDP-led project \"Enhancing Biodiversity and Resilience Aqabaโs Coastal Ecosystem (EmBRACE)\" funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) aims to strengthen marine biodiversity in the Coastal Ecosystem in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba (GoA-J) through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). A key focus is the conservation of the coastal ecosystems of Aqaba (both terrestrial and marine), which are crucial for biodiversity, ecotourism, and coastal protection. This initiative includes artificial reefs, marine biodiversity monitoring, and a soft coral inventory.
The project aims to explore establishing artificial coral reefs to mitigate impacts and promote marine biodiversity resilience. Artificial reefs can help restore habitats, support marine life, and alleviate pressure on natural reefs. NBS such as artificial coral reefs that mimic natural processes, can mitigate impacts and promote marine biodiversity resilience.ย
Against this background, UNDP Jordan seeks to engage a Project Assistant on an internship basis to support the EmBRACE projectโs team in Aqaba.
Setting and Reporting
The Project Assistant intern will work under the overall supervision of the Project Manager for the EmBRACE project, in close cooperation with the Environment Program Analyst, Livelihood Programmes Analyst, and the EmBRACE projectโs team in Aqaba.
Description of Responsibilities
Duties of Intern
Research and Data Management:
Assist in data collection, analysis, tabulation, and preparations of summaries. Conduct desk reviews of existing research and literature on specific areas. Develop a repository of certain/specific initiatives from the region, with supporting resources such as presentations, press releases, blogs, etc.Administrative and Finance tasks:
Support procurement tasks related to the project and coordinate/follow up with UNDP procurement team. Create and maintain all the project files, letters, minutes of meetings, and records and maintain online database of related documents in a structured way Assist in tracking and overseeing financial expenditures. ย Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.Operations Support:
Support organization of workshops, conferences and retreats in coordination with other staff; support for international participantsโ travel and logistics matters Organize travel arrangements, and support administration of supply and assets management.Competencies
Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under pressure.Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively both Arabic and English. Listen to others, correctly interpret messages from others and respond appropriately.Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing othersโ ideas and expertise. Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.Planning & Organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resource for completing work.Accountability:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.Functional Competencies:ย
Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools. Online navigation. Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Keen attention to detail. Strong interest in working in the development field. Excellent analytical and research skills.Functional Competencies:ย
Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools. Online navigation. Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Keen attention to detail. Strong interest in working in the development field. Excellent analytical and research skills.Qualifications
Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
Bachelorโs degree in marine, Biological, Agriculture, Water, or Environment majors, or any other relevant field. Applicants to the UNDP internship program must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program (such as a masterโs program, or higher) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (such as bachelorโs degree or equivalent) 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 Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this programA person who is the child or sibling of a UNDP staff member is not eligible to apply for an internship at UNDP. An applicant who bears any other family relationship with a UNDP staff member may be engaged as an intern, provided that they must neither be assigned to the sameย work unit of the staff member nor be placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member.
For purposes of this policy, โchildโ means: (i) the adult child of a staff member; (ii) the adult child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of an adult child of a staff member or the child of a staff memberโs spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). โSiblingโ includes the adult child of both or either parent of a staff member and the adult child of the spouse of a parent of a staff member (that is, also half- and stepsibling).
Language requirements:
Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English and Arabic are required
Duration of Internship Programme and Working Hoursย
Internship assignments vary in length according to the academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. Assignments normally last a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of six months. An internship may last up to nine months if the intern can demonstrate that it will award them an educational credit for a course. Internship assignments completed as part of national service obligations or a postgraduate professional traineeship program may last up to 12 months. This Internship is available on full-time basis, five days a week from Sunday to ThursdayStipend
Where an intern is engaged in-person and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to an in-person internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office. Where an intern is engaged remotely and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme, a remote stipend intended to help cover expenses related to the internship, such as internet connections or other means to remain in contact with the receiving office, must be paid by the receiving office. The amount of the stipend for in-person and remote internships will be set for each duty station. The monthly stipend rates of both remote and in-person internships will be published annually by the Bureau for Management Servicesโ Office of Human Resources (BMS/OHR). The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and will be pro-rated for part-time internship arrangements. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, Government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, Government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend. No other payments of any kind, or advance on the stipend due, will be made to an intern by the receiving office in connection with an internship agreement, except for any reimbursements made to an intern under paragraph 33 of the present policy. Interns will accrue combined sick and annual leave at the rate of 1 ยฝ days per month, which will be prorated to the nearest half day for part-time internships. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days or as prorated for part-time internships, will be deducted from the monthly stipend. Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
ย 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.ย
ย 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.
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ย Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
ย Non-discrimination
ย 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.ย ย
ย 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.ย
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