Blue Resilience Intern, Nature Hub, BPPS (Home-based)

UNDP•New York, NY

About The Position

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge-frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN development system and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, regional and country levels offers a spectrum from deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing policies and guidance to support delivery of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices; advocate UNDP corporate messages; represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora (public-private, government and civil society dialogues); and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. The Nature Hub promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-government approaches towards nature-positive development that reduces poverty and inequalities, strengthens livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigates conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promotes more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas. We work with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment, and climate action into national and sector planning and policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement an extensive portfolio of in-country programming on nature, which includes a priority focus on ocean governance and finance. With this platform, the Nature Hub delivers Blue Resilience to support coordinated responses to fisheries-related organized crime. The UNDP global Blue Resilience project is sponsored by the Norwegian government through the Blue Justice Initiative (BJI) in cooperation with the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. The BJI responds to the need to cooperate and build capacity to address transnational organized crime in the global fishing industry specifically by supporting developing countries to implement measures to this end in operationalizing the Copenhagen Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry. The Blue Resilience project provides knowledge-driven capacity and technical support to national partners to strengthen inter-agency cooperation towards effective governance responses to address organized crime in the fisheries sector. It is a three-phase project and is currently in the final 5-year third phase. The Blue Justice Community User Gathering (User Gathering) is an annual event facilitated by UNDP Blue Resilience. It brings together global government operational experts who are registered users on the secure digital platform (Blue Justice Community) that offers vessel tracking tools and analysis and is administered by UNDP Blue Resilience. The User Gathering facilitates knowledge-exchange and hands-on training via a case-based scenario Table-Top Exercise (TTX) to strengthen international collaboration in addressing fisheries crime and securing a fair and sustainable blue economy. The 2026 User Gathering will take place in November (date TBC) in UN City, Copenhagen. UNDP is looking for an intern to support the Blue Resilience project in organizing and coordinating the 2026 User Gathering. The assignment will require travel to support on-site event activities. Due to budgetary limitations for travel, preference may be given to candidates based in countries with minimal travel costs to the event location.

Requirements

Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in fields such as environmental management, environmental policy, sustainability management, sustainable development, environmental economics, international relations, communications or related fields
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as environmental management, environmental policy, sustainability management, sustainable development, environmental economics, international relations, communications or related fields.
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined 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.
Excellent organizing skills, coupled with experience working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals is required, along with analytical skills, including report writing experience.
Fluency in English is required.

Nice To Haves

Strong interest in, and knowledge of, maritime issues, international relations and the work of international organization is an advantage.
Experience developing social media materials is an advantage
Experience in programme management support and coordination among multiple stakeholders is an advantage
Knowledge in the preparation of webinar and (virtual) workshops with experience in using Zoom, MS Teams and other tools is an asset.

Responsibilities

Support in organizing the User Gathering (50%)
Participate in planning meetings internally and draft and distribute meeting minutes
Organize regular planning meetings with donors, including scheduling, agenda drafting, and drafting and distributing meeting minutes
Support engagement and coordination with donors on planning User Gathering
Participate in development of User Gathering concept note, invitations, funding letters and logistics note.
Participate and support with the development of the User Gathering Programme and agenda.
Distribute relevant material to all participants and stakeholders
Manage and maintain registration list of participants and stakeholders
Distribute logistics note to all participants and stakeholders
Manage and maintain relevant documents in a shared repository
Respond to participant and stakeholder queries and support regular interactions with participants and stakeholders.
Support with travel arrangements for participants
Manage contact with stakeholders in UN City, such as canteen, technical team etc.
Support logistics and administration during the User Gathering (10%)
Support User Gathering participants including registration, guiding them through security (UN city) and be on stand-by for any support needed throughout the gathering.
Support on communications and social media in coordination with the Nature Hub Communications lead in lead-up and during User Gathering
Note taking during User Gathering
Liaise with stakeholders in UN City (canteen, technical team, common services
Support post User Gathering (20%)
Participant in drafting User Gathering report
Participate in drafting thank you note and distributing to participants and stakeholders
General Project Support (20%)
Provide support in relation to the Blue Justice Community.
Support drafting of communications material (So-Me)
Ensure project activity tracker is up to date (update weekly basis).
Ad-hoc project support