INTERN - ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS - LAC GEF PORTFOLIO (UNEP BRAZIL COUNTRY OFFICE)

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 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. UNEP’s Economy Division seeks to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices, and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

UNEP´s Economy Division works with a portfolio of Global Environment Facility (GEF) medium-size and full-size climate change mitigation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The projects, which are in different stages of development (concept, design, implementation, closure), are executed by different partners (Ministries, NGOs, etc.) through-out the region. The Economy Division, in its role as implementing agency, provides oversight and ensures adherence to GEF guidelines. Thematic areas include those related to electric mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate transparency.

This internship is in UNEP’s Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, Climate Change Mitigation Unit, and will be home based.

The internship is UNPAID and has an expected duration of six (6) months on a part-time basis. Interns work five days per week (30 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned..

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 Under the supervision of the Task Manager for the region, the intern is expected to provide support and collaborate in the daily tasks involved in the management of the GEF portfolio of projects in LAC. More specifically, the internship will entail the following tasks:

a)By using the tools provided by the unit, keep an updated database that reflects the status of the projects in the portfolio, including their reporting obligations, b)Propose and develop new and strengthen existing templates and tools to facilitate the monitoring of the portfolio and manage data, c)Update relevant project documents, keeping files updated and stored correctly. d)Upload of project documents into the GEF portal and UNEP’s dashboards e)Provide technical support and research in topics that are relevant for the current and the upcoming GEF replenishment periods (i.e. GEF-7 and GEF-8), including issues such as renewable energies, energy efficiency, energy transition to renewables, electro mobility, climate transparency, sustainable cities and opportunities for Small Island Development States (SIDS). f)Performing other tasks as required. Supporting other activities of the LAC team as requested.

Learning expectation: Knowledge: This internship is expected to develop a strong understanding of climate finance in general, and GEF projects in particular. The intern will receive training on the GEF project cycle, and is expected to collaborate in a portfolio involving electric mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate transparency projects that are at various development stages, from the identification and design phases, to those undergoing technical and financial closure. Technical skills: The following skills are expected to be strengthened during the internship: oThe internship will demand managing large amounts of documents and data. This will require that the intern strengthens his/her skills in using / designing templates, spreadsheets and other documents. oThe intern will have the opportunity to work with (and learn from) a wide range of documents, such as formal documents used by international organizations (policy briefings, concept notes, project proposals, expenditure and progress reports, etc.). oEnglish and Spanish are the main languages of the communication unit routine. The intern shall expect to strengthen her/his drafting and language skills during the internship. oManagement skills in an intercultural setting: the LAC Mitigation Team involves professionals working in UNEP’s offices in Brasilia, Paris, and Nairobi, as well as with the Regional Office in Panama City. The intern is thus expected to be immersed and experience on a daily basis the dynamics of working in international organizations.

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 (university degree or equivalent, or higher), in the fields of engineering, law, business administration, environment, economics, development, finance, mathematics, computer programming or others related fields; b)Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent), as per the fields indicated in item a); c)Have graduated with a university degree.

Be computer literate in standard office software applications, and have advanced skills in Excel. Have demonstrated keen interest in climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as in the work of the United Nations; 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.

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 Excellent writing and perfect command of English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese 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 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 software you are proficient in, -explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship, including your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensuring 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.

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.