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.

Org. Setting and Reporting 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 Economy Division Energy and Climate Branch and based in Paris. Contributing to the UN system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, UNEP Cities Unit focusses on the 3-D: decarbonising, decoupling and detoxifying, and investing in nature; and particularly integrated approaches in line with the International Resource Panel Reports, in particular the Weight of Cities and the Food Systems and Natural Resources.

The Cities Unit is advertising internship vacancies for its different workstreams: 1) Sustainable Cities and Neighbourhoods: 2 vacancies, one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months 2) Sustainable Food Systems: 2 vacancies, one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months 3) Clean Buildings and Constructions: 2 vacancies, one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months

We kindly ask you to indicate your preferences and availability when applying.

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 Cities Unit for each workstream.

Kindly note that candidates will be personally responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging any travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.

Responsibilities Selected interns will be assigned to one of the workstream based on their interest and profile.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1) Sustainable Food Systems: 2 vacancies: one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months

This includes: ○ Conducting research of sustainable food systems policies and trends globally and in drafting concept notes of food systems activities ○ Supporting the work of the One Planet Network Sustainable Food systems programme, with the organization of workshops, webinars and other SFS meetings and/or events. ○ Supporting the development of the Food Waste Index, the UN mechanism to track country level progress to halve food waste by 2030, in line with SDG 12.3, and the facilitation of UNEP’s Food Waste Working Groups in Africa, Asia and Latin America. ○ Working on web development and online presentation of materials for the SFS Programme and the Think Eat Save campaign website ○ Writing and drafting articles for the Think Eat Save website; advocacy and communications support in the context of International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste.

2) Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction: 2 vacancies: one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months

This includes: ○ Support regarding member outreach including maintaining member databases updated ○ Support preparation of online events and webinars, including outreach and communications, operations and logistics ○ Support on development of communication materials including support such as presentations, articles, newsletter, website content development, and general awareness raising. ○ Prepare meeting notes and outcome-based summaries for events, as requested. ○ Assist other team members in various activities related to the overall performance of the Cities Unit's Buildings and construction activities ○ Participate in team meetings and work proactively in performing tasks

3) Sustainable Cities and Neighbourhoods: 2 vacancies: one to start end of January 2022, and another to start in July or August 2022. Duration of the internship: 6 months

The intern will assist the project managers in the coordination and implementation of the activities under this workstream, in particular on circular economy in cities, advocacy for sustainable cities as part of the GEF UrbanShift Programme, and capacity building on sustainable and integrated neighbourhoods.

This includes: ○ Participate in weekly team meetings. ○ Support in the development and implementation of pilot projects on circular economy jobs in cities with partners. ○ Support in the work on circular economy in cities monitoring frameworks. This includes, but is not limited to, searching for employment data at the city-level, proof-reading, reviewing and editing publications for monitoring purposes. ○ Assist in the implementation of the Advocacy activities under the GEF UrbanShift Programme, in particular with the preparation of events. This includes helping with the coordination and communication in the lead up to the event, drafting briefing notes and powerpoint slides, drafting meeting reports. ○ Contribute to the development of training material, related to the UNEP Integrated Guidelines for Sustainable Neighbourhood Design. ○ Assist in the implementation and development of the Integrated Neighbourhood Guidelines website, including compilation of case studies, updates to the website, new partnerships, new pilots, etc. ○ Assist with the development of new project proposal ○ Assist in other tasks associated with the implementation of the Cities Unit team’s projects, as needed and directed by supervising staff member.

Competencies 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

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

Education 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.

Preferred area of study: Bachelors' or Masters, preferably related to sustainable development issues, environmental studies, environmental engineering and urban planning.

Work Experience 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.

Do you have academic or professional experience related to sustainable development and climate, in particular in urban areas ?

Do you have academic or professional experience in drafting documents, such as essays, information materials, briefings, meeting reports, etc.?

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

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice “In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.”

Your application for this internship must include: 1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

- Title of the degree you are currently pursuing - Graduation Date - IT skills and programmes you are proficient in - Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship

Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).

2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).

3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.