Intern SARD/SAUW - 1325 - Asian Development Bank

Closing Date: 10 April 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Internship Topic
Integrating Climate Change Principles in South Asia’s Urban Planning
Urbanization at the rate and scale currently seen in Asia is certain to be accompanied by an unprecedented consumption and loss of natural resources. In parallel, climate change is an urgent issue that threatens South Asian cities. Unstable weather patterns, flooding, landslides and extreme temperature changes are but some of the results of climate change that threaten socio-economic and environmental sustainability. From Guwahati and Diburgarh on the shores of the Brahmaputra (Assam) to Kathmandu, at the foot of the Himalayas, South Asian cities (because of their historical development in key strategic sites) are particularly vulnerable. In all, ADB has firmly committed to partner for development. As drivers of the economy, cities are however expected to continue growing. A new approach is therefore needed to take climate change into consideration during the development, design and re-development of such urban areas.

Summary of Job Description
The intern will assist ADB staff define best practice in urban climate change adaptation and mitigation, and contextualize application to South Asia’s cities. He/she will assist in the preparation of supporting tools to mainstream climate change (both mitigation and adaptation) elements into urban development projects, and will pilot their application at city-based level. Opportunities will be particularly sought to highlight best-practice and to propose and promote innovation (e.g. carbon footprinting, cradle-to-grave life cycle assessments valuations etc).

Expected Outcomes

The intern is expected to conduct the following tasks:

• Literature review summarizing (i) exposure and vulnerability, (ii) coping strategies, (iii) outstanding mitigation and adaptation initiatives (both physical and non-physical measures) to mainstream climate change elements into urban planning and development, with a particular emphasis on Asia and the developing world. As a result a ‘best practice’ paper should be prepared.
• Toolkit for climate-proofing and promoting low-carbon urban operations in South Asia, highlighting desirable climate-change mitigation/adaptation features at planning, design, construction and O&M stages.
• Review of 3-4 urban projects under preparation or recently approved within SAUW and provide recommendations for strengthening climate change mitigation/adaptation practices. These will be used to pilot and fine-tune the toolkit and will be turned into case studies.
• If time permits, assess (desk-study in collaboration with country team lead) climate change preparedness in urban policies and institutions in 1 South Asian country/State/city and prepare proposal for strengthening.
• Present the report to SARD and interested ADB staff.
• Submit a final report at the end of the internship.

Educational Requirements:

Candidates must:

• be enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in in Urban Planning and/or Environmental Studies, at a school in one of the ADB member countries, both prior to and after the internship assignment;
• demonstrate a knowledge of climate change and spatial planning; and
• be engaged in academic study in a field directly related to ADB's work.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

Desirable previous experience to be considered includes the topics of climate resilient development, integrated urban planning and development and/or eco-cities/green-cities.

Core Competencies:

Candidates must be able to:

• exhibit professionalism in the conduct of his/her project tasks.
• analyze data and recommend solutions.
• be self-directed.
• build professional relationships to achieve results.
• prioritize work to achieve assignment outcomes.
• experience in statistical packages.

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

Other Information

• Position reports to assigned Professional Staff Supervisor.
• Candidates must be a national of one of ADB’s member countries.
• Past interns are ineligible to apply in subsequent years.
• Close relatives of ADB personnel are ineligible to apply but ADB spouses may apply if the eligibility requirements are met.
• Internship duration is 8-12 weeks.
• Assignment is from June to September 2013.

[ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS]
1. Submit your CV by uploading in “Documents” section in the application; and
2. Answer essay questions below in Ms WORD or PDF document, maximum of 1500 words per question. Upload in "Documents" portion in the application.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
(1) Describe one example of your experience that demonstrated your interest in working in ADB.
(2) Highlight your qualifications that will help accomplish this internship assignment (e.g., course work, research, work experience, etc.).
Non-submission of CV and essays will deem application INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT BE PROCESSED FURTHER.

Important Instructions

Queries can be directed at adbintern@adb.org

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