Environment and Political Affairs Intern

Assist UNEP in environmental research and project proposals

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UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 20 Mar 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Assist UNEP in environmental research and project proposals

You have:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or a final year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), or have graduated with a university degree.
  • Field of study closely related to the internship such as Environmental Law, International Law, Political Science, International Relations.
  • Good knowledge of MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
  • Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts.
  • Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of any additional language is an advantage.

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

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The UNEP Regional Office for Europe covers the pan-European region, which extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to the Central Asian plains and the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic Ocean and includes 56 countries. In the pan-European region, environmental challenges range from managing cross-border environmental resources such as the Caspian Sea, boosting resource efficiency in cities, and responding to the impacts of climate change in the Carpathian Mountains. We address these and other challenges through our work in seven priority work areas: climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystems management, environmental governance, chemicals and waste, resource efficiency, and environment under review. We serve as a neutral authority on the environment in Europe. With our global reach, we also work to ensure policy coherence to support the efficient achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. In practice, this means that we advise and guide countries, the private sector and civil society on their paths to a green and inclusive economy, such as by fostering renewable energy technologies or promoting sustainable transport for example, and by sharing experiences and best practices on a range of topics such as sustainable agriculture and sustainable consumption and production. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Europe Office Deputy Director and will also collaborate with the whole team. The position will contribute to support the Director and Deputy Director’s Office on the following tasks: • Research on individual countries’ development cooperation policies and priorities; • Assist in identifying and mapping key development cooperation initiatives linked to environment sustainability; • Assist in resource mobilization efforts towards European Member States, private sector and foundations by drafting targeted project proposals; assist in monitoring private sector partnerships; • Follow-up on partnerships development with youth movements; • Attend meeting and conferences of relevance to UN Environment in Geneva; • Undertake legal research and analysis; • Assist the Deputy Director whereas necessary.

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 first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Preferred area of study for this internship: Environmental Law, International Law, Political Science, International Relations. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts in desirable. Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of any additional language is an advantage.

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.

Potential interview questions

Describe a time when you had to research a complex environmental subject. The interviewer wants to assess your research skills and your ability to understand complex topics. Provide a specific example, explaining your approach and what you learned.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects at once? This question gauges your time management skills and ability to work under pressure. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you engaged with a community or group? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What motivates you to work in environmental policy or sustainability? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Have you ever had to communicate a complex topic to someone unfamiliar with it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org