Eligibility note: UNDP is looking for online volunteers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam only. Each volunteer researches their own country. Applicants from Africa aren’t eligible for this assignment. See the opportunities open to Africans at the end.
The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is recruiting 12 online volunteers through the UN Volunteers platform. They’ll help prepare a Southeast Asia Regional Trialogue on biodiversity, planned for the first half of 2027. The assignment is fully remote, lasts 12 weeks and needs about 11–15 hours a week on a flexible schedule.
Applications close on 8 November 2026.
At a Glance
| Host | UNDP, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) |
| Role | Research Support for SE Asia Region: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services |
| Places | 12 online volunteers |
| Who can apply | People from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam |
| Time | 12 weeks, 11–15 hours a week, flexible |
| Pay | Unpaid. Certificate of appreciation on completion. |
| Deadline | 8 November 2026 |
What Volunteers Will Do
Each volunteer writes one concise country summary note using a BES-Net template. To prepare it, they will:
- Review national biodiversity and sustainable development priorities, including the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and its reports to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Find examples of ecosystem restoration, biodiversity finance, sustainable production and community stewardship
- Map key stakeholders across government, research, civil society, business and finance
- Gather information on the economic sectors that matter most for biodiversity, such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism
- Identify good practices (“bright spots”), as well as implementation challenges and opportunities
- Share references and contacts that link global IPBES assessment findings to national realities
Benefits
- Experience contributing to a UNDP regional biodiversity process
- A certificate of appreciation after successful completion
- Orientation, optional catch-up calls every two weeks, and email guidance from the BES-Net team
- Flexible hours, with no fixed daily or weekly schedule
Online volunteers aren’t UN Volunteers, so they don’t receive an allowance or other entitlements.
Eligibility
- From Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand or Viet Nam
- Experience in research, policy analysis or information gathering on biodiversity, ecosystems, climate change or sustainable development
- Familiarity with biodiversity or climate institutions and policies in your country
- Basic knowledge of, or strong interest in, IPBES assessments
- At least secondary education
- Working knowledge of English. A local language is desirable.
How to Apply
- Create or log in to your account on the UN Volunteers platform.
- Open the assignment (link below) and click Apply.
- Highlight your research experience and knowledge of your country’s environmental policies.
- Submit before 8 November 2026.
UNDP online volunteer assignment on the UNV platform (official)
Scam warning: the UN never charges fees at any stage of recruitment.
