Intern - Environment Affairs

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

5 to 6 months, as soon as possible

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 private sector and foundations by drafting targeted project proposals; assist in monitoring private sector partnerships; • Special focus on UN Decade for Ecosystems Restoration with identification of potential partnerships and assistance in outreach activities, which include research, writing skills and a good sense of popularization; • 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.

Areas of work: Political and legal affairs; European affairs; resource mobilization; youth movements; Sustainable Development Goals

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.

Preferred area of study for this internship: Environmental Law, International Law, Political Science, International Relations.

and must:

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.

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

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

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of confident" in two of the four areas.

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.