Economic and Trade Policy Unit Intern

Contract

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

Work Location

Geneva and possibility of working remotely

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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.

UN Environment’s Economy Division works with international and non-governmental organizations, national and local governments, business and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner and safer, incorporate environmental costs, use natural resources efficiently, reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment, and enable the implementation of conventions and international agreements.

Located within UN Environment’s Economy Division, the Resources and Market Branch (RMB) seeks to conserve the environment, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development by enhancing the capacity of governments, businesses, and civil society to integrate environmental considerations into economic, trade, and financial policies and practices in accordance with integrated policy-making approaches of sustainable development. Over the past years, the focus of the RMB has been UN Environment’s work related to an Inclusive Green Economy.

This recruitment is for one internship position within the RMB’s Economic and Trade Policy Unit, in the Fiscal Policy Team.

The Economy Division/ RMB internship is for six (6) months. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities:-

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Economic and Trade Policy Unit, the intern will support the team with the following tasks:

o Prepare concept notes and briefing notes in the area of green fiscal policy; o Carry out background research to support the development of new project proposals and on-going projects on green fiscal policies; o Assist with the overall implementation and dissemination of fiscal policy studies, including support to the review, production and dissemination of studies and updating inventories of fiscal knowledge products; o Supporting the Green Fiscal Policy Network: this includes updating the Network website with relevant news items and recent research of interest to the GFPN partners and virtual community; managing communications with contributors to the GFPN; updating the Network’s contact database, strengthening the Green Fiscal Policy Network's social media visibility and supporting the preparation and dissemination of communication materials and blogs through the Network website; o Prepare communication materials and support outreach activities on fiscal policy and green finance, update a global events calendar, and assist with the organisation of workshops, events and conferences in the area of green fiscal policies; o Support the monitoring and planning of the work of the team, including updating the progress of the fiscal work stream based on inputs from colleagues; and o Supporting ongoing work related to the role of fiscal policies in greening recovery from COVID-19 o Supporting ongoing work related to the development of sustainable budgeting instruments o Supporting ongoing work related to the reform of harmful subsidies o Supporting ongoing work related to the use of fiscal policies to accelerate the transition to a green economy in high impact sectors, including agriculture and plastic o Support and assist in work being done under the NZNP/PAGE initiative by the fiscal and/or other teams under the ETPU o Support ongoing work related to the use of fiscal policy and price incentives more broadly to accelerate the transition to a circular economy o Support the team with other activities as requested.

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) in Economic Policy, International Environmental Policies, International Development, Sustainable Development, International Relations, Public Policy, Political/Social Sciences or a related area. The candidate should have strong analytical skills and a sound knowledge of the nexus of environmental issues and the economy; b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first 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.

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. Previous work experience in the area of green economy, climate change, or environmental economics would be a valuable asset. Excellent research, communication and writing skills in English, as well as a high degree of motivation and self-organization are required. A significant bonus would be familiarity with data visualisation tools and experience in working with large datasets. For this position, good writing and reading skills in another UN language are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.