INTERN - ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS - CLIMATE CHANGE

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 Latin America and the Caribbean Office located in Panama City works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States, with a population of about 650 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UN Environment (UNEA).

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. Specifically, UNEP aims to support countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in the compliance of the objectives acquired in the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the countries.

The overall objective of UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. Furthermore, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensuring that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of the tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its mitigation and adaptation objectives.

In the area of climate finance, the climate change unit has a broad portfolio of ongoing projects and initiatives targeted at increasing countries access to climate finance and thus, aligning financial flows (public and private) consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This is done through: - strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of countries; - mobilizing funds and instruments for the implementation of innovative finance actions; and - fostering regional cooperation and peer-to-peer learning; - technical assistance; - knowledge creation.

Under the direct supervision of the Climate Change Coordinator in the Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the intern(s) will work within a small team and be highly involved in the day-to-day activities of the UNEP Climate Change Unit in the Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. The intern will be involved in the development and implementation of climate change projects and initiatives pertaining to the area of climate finance, as well as in research and analysis of the status of climate change policies or strategies linked to climate finance.

One (or more) intern(s) is sought for a six-month internship period. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of the Climate Change Unit.

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. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the of the Climate Change Coordinator of the Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the intern will be supporting the following projects, initiatives, and activities: - Research and analysis on the status of climate finance policies and strategies, such as sustainable taxonomies, 2030 Agenda, green bonds, MRV climate finance, sustainable budgeting, climate tagging, green economic recovery plans, NDCs, climate risk review, national adaptation plans, long-term strategies, national development plans; requiring desktop research, communications with project partners and communications with relevant ministries/agencies. - Support rigorous quantitative evaluation of national and international climate finance mechanisms. - Enhance the climate finance directory of relevant regional stakeholders; requiring desktop research and active communication with relevant ministries/agencies. - Assist in the writing and editing of high-quality climate finance products, including full reports, executive summaries, policy briefs, blogs, and presentations - Develop analysis, briefings and presentations for regional and national workshops and seminars on climate finance. When required, the intern will also support the general organization of events, including the sending of invitations to participants/speakers, developing agendas, and printing of materials.

The intern selected to support the climate finance team is expected to have a strong focus and interest in topics such as: - climate change and the importance of policy and finance for taking action; - quantitative rigorous fields including but not limited to macroeconomics and finance; - methods to ensure the alignment of private sector investment with the long term climate goals of the Paris Agreement; - international development, climate change policy, insurance, risk management and/or private sector financing; - mid-century, long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies and their financial planning; - mainstreaming climate investments into public and private agendas; - public policy analysis and development; and - bankable climate-relevant development projects.

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 - Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience -Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Teamwork: - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational 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 credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

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 first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree

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.

Have advanced organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in public policy, finance, business administration, environmental policy, international development and/or related field.

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.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required, since work will require research and communication, including reading and interviews, in both languages. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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.

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 enrolment 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

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. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

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.