Urban Food Systems and Food Waste Intern
Assist in promoting sustainable urban food systems and food waste reduction.
Overview
Assist in promoting sustainable urban food systems and food waste reduction.
You have:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme or in the final academic year of a university degree program or have graduated with a university degree.
- Be computer literate in standard software applications.
- Have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
- Demonstrate ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
- Proficiency in English is required, additional knowledge of French, Arabic, or Spanish is desirable.
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 Climate Change Division Mitigation 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 one internship in support of its Urban Food Systems and Food Waste workstream. Duration of the internship: 6 months. Position to begin as soon as possible, with some flexibility. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the supervision of the Urban Food Systems Lead, Programme Management Officer Clementine O'Connor. 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. The intern will assist the programme manager in the coordination and implementation of the activities to promote sustainable food systems and food loss and waste reduction, at national and sub-national level. Duties may include, but are not limited to: - Support coordination of the day-to-day operations of UNEP-led coalitions and communities of practice on food systems and food waste, including organizing virtual meetings, drafting agendas, and preparing summaries and reports. - Assist in planning and implementing joint activities on sustainable urban food systems with UN agencies, civil society, cities, and private-sector partners. - Track key global food systems processes (e.g. Climate and Biodiversity COPs, UNFSS Stocktaking) and support the organization of advocacy events during these processes. - Liaise with thematic task teams and support information-sharing on UNEP sustainable food systems activities across the organization. - Conduct research on sustainable food systems policies, governance, and climate impacts, and draft briefing notes, policy summaries, and presentations. - Lead development of communications content, including newsletters, member updates, and event summaries. Support updates of the stopfoodlosswaste.org website. - Explore and support articulation of UNEP's role at the nexus between biodiversity, nutrition, and climate change, including identifying entry points for integrated food systems action. Contribute to new project research and development. - Support administrative processes such as reporting and contracting of implementing partners.
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: 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. Preferred areas of education: climate science, food systems, environmental governance, or related field. 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 job opening, English is required. Additional knowledge of either French or Arabic or Spanish is desirable.
Additional Information
Not available.
Intern Specific text
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. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a situation where you had to work with individuals from different cultures? | This question assesses your ability to interact and collaborate with diverse teams. | Discuss a specific example that highlights your understanding and tolerance towards different perspectives. |
| What motivates your interest in sustainable food systems? | The purpose is to understand your passion and commitment to the subject matter. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you plan a meeting for coordinating activities on sustainable urban food systems? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What is your understanding of the relationship between food systems and climate change? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of a research project you have completed? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you handle a disagreement in a team setting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What tools or software have you used for project management or communication? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Why do you believe reducing food waste is important for sustainable development? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |