Background

Coral reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem globally, making them one of the most biologically complex and valuable ecosystems on the planet. Supporting more than one billion people globally, coral reefs provide vital ecosystem services including food security, income from fisheries and tourism, and critical coastal protection from storms and floods. Coral reef and associated ecosystem services are critical to help deliver the nature-dependent United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG14 ‘Life Below Water’. Despite their immense value, coral reefs are among Earth’s most endangered ecosystems. It is estimated that more than half of the world’s coral reefs have disappeared due to climate change and a range of local threats and stressors. Although Earth’s coral reefs have survived for hundreds of millions of years, scientists now predict that reefs may go extinct in our lifetime.

Launched in September 2020, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) coalition is a finance instrument that blends private and public funding to support businesses and finance mechanisms that improve the health and sustainability of coral reefs and associated ecosystems while empowering local communities and enterprises. The GFCR currently consists of a Grant Fund managed by the United Nations and an Investment Fund, managed by Pegasus Capital Advisors, that operate under a single Theory of Change based on 4 pillars: Protect, Transform, Restore and Recover. The GFCR Grant Fund is administratively hosted by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The GFCR UN Global Team (UNGT) is an independent structure under the Global Fund for Coral Reefs Executive Board and manages the day-to-day activities and operations of the Grant Fund. While hosted within UNCDF, the Global Team collaborates closely with relevant focal points of the Participating UN Organizations (UNDP, UNEP, UNCDF) and the Investment Fund asset management team.

The UNGT has management, technical, and operational expertise, and one of its primary roles is to develop the Fund investment plans and manage approval of Grant Fund programme proposals in accordance with financial decisions made by the GFCR Executive Board and in collaboration with the Investment Fund partners. The Global Team guarantees that successful innovative blended finance solutions are developed in accordance with agreed-upon objectives and criteria specified in the Terms of Reference.

UNCDF is seeking an intern to be part of the GFCR. Working under the direct oversight of the Deputy Head of the GFCR and day-to-day guidance of GFCR staff, the selected interns will support the ongoing workplan and goals of the unit, according to the four different tracks outlined below.

Applicants must specify for which track/s they are submitting an application under for consideration.

The internship managers committed to providing the interns with the training, guidance and support necessary to complete the below duties and responsibilities effectively and within the internship period. This will include, but not be limited to, scheduled meetings to assess output progress, systems training (where required) and completion of required university reports for the purpose of meeting any necessary Degree requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is specifically intended to support the work of the UNGT with tasks focused on social media, graphic design, and application of the GFCR’s visual identity throughout communications products and activities. The intern role will work with the guidance of the GFCR Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Specialist in performing the following duties and responsibilities:

• Identify and develop multimedia stories from the GFCR portfolio that have compelling narratives and reflect noteworthy achievements. Support the UNGT work with Convening Agents and country teams to collect background documents, images, and video footage, connect to interview subjects. Identify opportunities and arrange additional stories, footage and images, where possible/necessary;
• Using background materials collected, create multi-media story content, such as blogs, photo stories (ie. Exposure), and social media updates to showcase GFCR activities and impact;
• Develop a detailed content calendar, outlining dates for circulation and review of communications materials (press releases, newsletters, social content) as well as publication;
• Support social media planning/strategy and execution, including posting calendar management, drafting of text and arranging of visual assets, and posting engaging content regularly;
• Work with graphic design colleagues to inform the development of elements to illustrate portfolio stories and results, including those related to the reef-positive blue economy initiatives including infographics and other visual elements;
• Ensure maintenance of the asset/story library for the team using existing platforms (UNDP SharePoint platform; Trello);
• Prepare recommendations for events, newsletter and public product content to showcase stories and portfolio impacts. Seek out and share external content/news/updates relative to GFCR, drafting posts linking how this is related or impacted by GFCR;
• Support the establishment, population and updating of the GFCR champion trackers at the global and programmatic levels;
• Contribute to proofreading/content development for external communications and knowledge products, including slide decks, flyers, brochures, publications, reports, briefing documents, event documents, etc.;
• Monitor track and report on social media metrics, GFCR features and online mentions.

Competencies

• Proficiency in using the MS Office Suite, including proficient use of PowerPoint application;
• Sound computer skills and experience using web-based applications, social media and content management systems;
• Effective communication skills with staff at all levels and external partners;
• Initiative taking;
• Strong organization skills;
• Great attention to detail and proven experience in proof reading;
• Ability to work well in a team;
• Client orientation;
• Demonstration of cultural sensitivity and appreciation for different cultures and practices.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualification and Work Experience:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in sustainable development, economic development, eco-tourism, communications, international relations or other related field;
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s 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 program.

Languages:

• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of other UN languages will be considered a plus.

General Internships Terms & Conditions:

• UNCDF Internship programme is governed by the UNDP Internship Policy Framework and Rules.
• Under the new revised UNDP Internship Policy, UNCDF will provide a modest monthly internship stipend to its interns, in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship Policy. All expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the Intern or her/his sponsoring entity/institution. Stipends are available only for full-time and part-time internships at this time.
• Selected Interns must be able to share proof of education enrolment and/ or graduation, medical/ health and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out and be able to provide insurance documentary proof at the time of their selection.
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNCDF but to complement an Intern’s studies and learning growth.
• There is no expectation of employment at the end of these internships.

Application Process:

• In your application, please state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship and your primary motivation to apply for this role;
• Please note that you will need to answer the mandatory questions on timeframe and availability (under Additional Questions section), which is a part of the internship application process, in addition to your cover letter.
• Please submit your Resume/CV and an application using the UNCDF Internship Application form: http://www.uncdf.org/download/file/127/2509/internshipdoc.
• Applications should include the application form and latest resume. Applicants are welcome to submit any additional work samples or portfolios in one single file, preferably PDF.
• Please note that the UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents (CV/ Resume, Cover Letter etc. into a single file before uploading).
• Interested candidates can apply at any time indicating the timeframe of their availability in the internship form. However, only those candidates selected for interviews/ further assessment by hiring managers will be contacted.