Cities unit Internship

Internship Environment Finance & Economy

Overview

Assist in promoting sustainable urbanization and biodiversity protection.

You have:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme or final academic year of university degree program or have graduated with a university degree.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Paris

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The Cities Unit is part of UNEP’s Climate Change Division Mitigation Branch and based in Paris. Contributing to the UN system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, through sustainable buildings and construction, sustainable urban food systems, sustainable energy and cooling, and integrated urban planning with nature. The Cities Unit is advertising two internship vacancies for 2025 in support of its Sustainable Cities with Nature workstream: one to start in February/March 2025, and another to start in August/September 2025. Duration of the internship: 6 months. We kindly ask you to indicate your preferences and availability when applying. Responsibilities: The intern will assist the project managers in the coordination and implementation of the activities to promote sustainable urbanization and mainstream biodiversity protection and restoration in cities. In particular, the intern will provide support for two major UNEP-led programmes, the GEF-funded UrbanShift Programme, and the Generation Restoration’s cities initiative. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Assist in the implementation of the Advocacy activities under the UrbanShift Programme, the Generation Restoration project and Food Waste workstream in particular with the preparation of events. This includes helping with the coordination and communication in the lead up to the event, supporting the conceptualization and elaboration of the agenda, coordinating with partners and speakers, developing briefing notes and presentations, and drafting meeting reports as needed. Support the implementation of projects activities including organisation of training courses on sustainable neighbourhoods and urban ecosystems restoration; management of pilot projects, activities related to food waste workstream. This includes participation in meetings with partners and cities, developing meeting reports and reviewing documents. Support the development of potential new projects including potential on urban forests, plastic pollution in cities, urban food systems and food waste and circular economy in cities. This includes participating in meetings with donors, conducting desk research, and providing overall support in the conceptualization of proposals. Participate in weekly team meetings and support overall coordination of the team, including developing meeting reports, conducting desk research, reviewing documents, exchanging with partners, organizing coordination meetings for the team. Assist in other tasks associated with the implementation of the Cities Unit team’s projects, as needed and directed by supervising staff member. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the overall supervision of the Head, Cities Unit and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officers of the Sustainable Cities with Nature workstream. Kindly note that candidates will be responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging any travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. In addition to: Be computer literate in standard software applications. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication, is proactive Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed Asks for clarifications when necessary and demonstrates ability to work independently Adapts quicky to new communication tools and channels to work efficiently with colleagues remotely given the current context Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' 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 Shares credits for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings Responds and adapts quickly to the needs of the team

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Knowledge of Portuguese for the Food work is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org