The United Nations Environment (UN Environment) 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. 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.
On 1 March 2019, UN General Assembly declared the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 (UN Decade), aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. As one of the leading agencies, UN Environment works collaboratively with UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), to make sure to fulfill needs of the UN Decade preparation, establishment and implementation.
The Freshwater, Land and Climate Branch (FLCB) in the Ecosystems Division leads on activities of UN Environment to achieve Sustainable Developments Goals 6 (‘Water’) and 15 (‘Life on Land’), as well as Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (Goal 13). The Branch consists of four Units: Freshwater Unit, Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, the Land Use Finance Unit and the Climate Change Adaptation Unit. The intern will work directly with the Branch coordinator to support activities related to the UN Decade. His/her focus will be on supporting the set-up of partnership and basic structures for the UN Decade.
This position is for a minimum of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the the Freshwater, Land and Climate Branch.
Interns work five days per week (35-40 hours), under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's academic background, skill-set, the Intern's assigned office and duration of internship. Under the Supervision of the Coordinator, duties may include but are not limited to:
•Support the Coordinator of the Freshwater, Land and Climate Branch and team members within UN Environment;
•Contribute to UN Decade related tasks such as set up UN Decade partnership and structures;
•Assist in the organization and servicing of consultation meetings/seminars internal meetings and coordination meetings for UN Decade;
•Draft minutes and briefings;
•Carry out other duties on a needs basis.
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.
Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation OR
•Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). Enrollment in a graduation programme focused on (environmental) economics, finance, business administration or natural resource management OR
•Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).
•Be computer literate in standard software applications.
•Have good analytical skills.
•Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
•Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and has a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the Program.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the Internship advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat).
Potential candidates will be contacted by a hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Your application for this internship must include:
1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references.
2. Proof of enrollment (click on link to access and attach to your application: http://unon.org/content/internship-programme).
3. Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship.
4. A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.
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.