INTERN - PUBLIC INFORMATION

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 Disasters and Conflicts Branch extends UNEP work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from conflicts or disasters. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods and ecosystem services and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process.

The Disasters and Conflicts Branch promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster affected countries. It works across four core pillars: 1.Post-Crisis Environmental Assessments 2.Post-Crisis Environmental Recovery 3.Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding, and 4.Disaster Risk Reduction

The branch’s work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction. Since 1999, the team has conducted field operations in over 40 countries and works in close cooperation with the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding frameworks of the UN system. More information can be found at https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/disasters-conflicts. Communications are a key strategic priority for UNEP as part of the organization’s mandate to advocate for the environment. This is achieved through a wide range of communications activities at national and global level, including an active social media presence. The Disasters and Conflicts Branch is working directly with teams in Haiti, Afghanistan, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as at a global level on communications related to its work.

The Internship is for 6 months and UNPAID. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. 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. 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.

Responsibilities Support the Disasters and Conflicts Branch’s communications and outreach activities: a) Contribute to the preparation of communications campaigns for international days; b) Support with editing and writing of news stories and social media posts; c) Support with the development and design of communication products, such as presentations, flyers, reports, social media cards, etc.; d) Support the Disasters and Conflicts Branch’s Knowledge Management activities, including updating publications lists and databases; e) Explore new communications channels and creative ways for the Disasters and Conflicts Branch to improve its communications; f) Support in taking meeting minutes for the weekly staff meeting, as requested; g) Where relevant, undertake short English to French/Spanish/Arabic translation tasks to broaden reach of communications products; h) Any other tasks, as requested.

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 1. Undergraduate or master’s degree (but within one year of graduation) or currently enrolled in a master’s Programme 2. Background in communications, environmental sciences, environmental policy, disaster management, climate change studies, graphic design, environment-related advocacy, or other related fields 3.Strong interest and familiarity with social media and online communications 4. Experience in web content management systems and desktop publishing would be an asset

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 the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required; and ‘knowledge’ of French is ‘desirable’. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice IYour 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.