INTERN - PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT (SUSTAINABLE CITIES)

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Paris

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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, through sustainable buildings and construction, sustainable urban food systems, sustainable energy and cooling, and integrated urban planning with nature.

The Cities Unit is advertising two internship vacancies for 2024 in support of its Sustainable Cities with Nature workstream: one to start in February 2024, and another to start in August 2024. 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 Sustainable Cities with Nature workstream.

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

Responsibilities:

The intern will assist the project managers in the coordination and implementation of the activities to promote sustainable urbanization and mainstream biodiversity protection and restoration in cities. In particular, the intern will provide support for two major UNEP-led programmes, the GEF-funded UrbanShift Programme, and the Generation Restoration’s cities initiative. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the implementation of the Advocacy activities under the UrbanShift Programme and the Generation Restoration project, in particular with the preparation of events. This includes helping with the coordination and communication in the lead up to the event, supporting the conceptualization and elaboration of the agenda, coordinating with partners and speakers, developing briefing notes and presentations, and drafting meeting reports as needed.

• Support the implementation of projects activities including organisation of training courses on sustainable neighbourhoods and urban ecosystems restoration; management of pilot projects. This includes participation in meetings with partners and cities, developing meeting reports and reviewing documents.

• Support the development of potential new projects including potential on urban forests, plastic pollution in cities, urban food systems and food waste and circular economy in cities. This includes participating in meetings with donors, conducting desk research, and providing overall support in the conceptualization of proposals.

• Participate in weekly team meetings and support overall coordination of the team, including conducting desk research, reviewing documents, exchanging with partners, organizing coordination meetings for the team.

• Assist in other tasks associated with the implementation of the Cities Unit team’s projects, as needed and directed by supervising staff member.

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 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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Additional Information

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.

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

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.