INTERN – Public Advocacy and Communication Section

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.

The Mid Term Strategy 2022-2025 of UNEP states that UNEP communications will help deliver coherence and consistency across the broad spectrum of environmental action. Communication efforts will be informed by the latest available science, including social science, and will be aimed at shaping the global narrative around the environment by generating political and social commitments and bringing about the societal and policy changes required to tackle environmental challenges.

UNEP adopts a highly innovative approach to its communications, using its growing foothold in digital spheres and social media spaces to reach and engage with an expanding range of audiences and stakeholders. UNEP focuses on empowering individuals and groups for environmental action, placing emphasis on voices from sectors and actors typically outside the environment space. UNEP amplifies the voices of youth, consumers, environmental entrepreneurs, activists, innovation leaders and organizations, among others.

The Communications division implements global campaigns to mobilize public action towards addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, ecosystem degradation and waste and pollution. This includes, but not limited, to the World Environment Day, Sustainable Fashion programme, beat plastic pollution, clean seas, and others.

This internship opportunity will focus on supporting the Sustainable Fashion programme. The implications of sustainable fashion are not confined to the environment, but also social impacts. Greening the value-chain creates new jobs and opportunities for rural workers, especially smallholder farmers or those working in forestry. In the face of growing environmental threats, there is an urgent need to radically change our consumption and production systems. In this regard, a more sustainable fashion industry has a critical role to play. This online internship is located within the communications division, Public Advocacy and Communication Section with close collaboration with the Consumption and Production Unit of the Economy Division.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the major tasks assigned to the intern as well as the internship period. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the direction of the head and deputy head of the section and in cooperation with other staff of the division.

The internship will support activities around sustainable fashion and the identification of relevant entry points for UNEP in supporting the initiative and its campaigns.

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.

The internship is for a duration of 6 months. The internship policy of UNEP states that: “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.” For this internship it is entirely remotely based.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of Chief, Public Advocacy and Communication Section, the intern will: •Assist in implementing the Sustainable Fashion initiative by supporting the section head and manager of the initiative in doing research and strategic analysis. •Support outreach activities and the promotion of the UNEP sustainable communication playbook and fashion campaign •Assist in the development of presentations and communication materials for advocating and promoting sustainability in textiles in international events, meetings or conferences (COP, Paris Fashion Week) •Assist in the UN Alliance on Sustainable Fashion regular meetings •Support the updating of the UNEP fashion communication website and the knowledge management database of the related projects •Support the drafting of attractive case studies on fashion communication and review of UNEP materials of the topic •Support in developing the newsletter for the UNEP textile community and in updating the general UNEP textile value chain website

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) enrolled in a graduate school (second university degree) or higher in the area or b) in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined in a) and b)) and must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. A degree programme in environmental studies, communications, media studies, international relations or journalism and other social sciences, as well as in the areas of information and knowledge management, 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 official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by a 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 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.

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.

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.

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.