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.
UNEP's Disasters and Conflicts Programme works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
The Disasters and Conflicts Programme extends UNEP's 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 Programme promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster-affected countries. 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 www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts.
The internship positions are for two persons who will support STRATA: Earth Stress Monitor project, under the umbrella of the Climate Change and Security Programme. In particular, the interns will be supporting the initial stage of the development process, supporting in the literature review and data management side. The project will recruit two persons to work complementary, supporting the transfer of practitioner and academic literature into applicable methodologies of data aggregation, data visualization, and insights. These persons would be familiar with the natural resources, environment, and climate and conflict literature. Additionally, both interns will be familiar with geospatial information systems, and their application to natural resources management, environmental governance, and climate change adaptation.
The internship is for a minimum duration of three months and can be extended to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the organization.
The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. 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.
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.
Under the direct supervision of the Climate Change and Security Programme Manager, and overall supervision of the Operations Manager, the Intern will perform the following functions:
Project coordination support (20%):
•Support the coordination of stakeholder engagement and end-user testing, including end-user consultations and aggregation of expert input aggregation.
•Support the development of communications materials of the Strata project.
•Other tasks as assigned by the Climate Change and Security Programme Manager and Head of the Branch.
Theoretical research support (40%):
•Assist in identifying and evaluating global, regional, and national environmental datasets relevant to environmental and climate stress, and human security.
•Conduct a literature review on environmental stress, natural resources management, environmental governance, climate change, and their relation with peace, sustainable development, and conflict. Especial focus on climate-vulnerable and fragile states, and understanding the concept of human security.
Methods and data management support (40%):
•Use of open-source geospatial information systems to upload and style data for the project and populating projects with relevant geospatial data.
•Comparison and implementation of statistical geospatial data modelling approaches for compound risk indices.
•Create statistical and geospatial data visualizations.
•Conduct remote sensing analysis using open-source tools and publicly available satellite imagery.
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.
•Able to present what may be complex results to a more general audience in a clear way.
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.
•Thinks critically and brings up ideas and anticipated problems to the team.
•Supports and acts in accordance with the 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.
•Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment while also being able to work and solve problems independently.
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 the client.
1.Bachelors degree in Environmental Science, Computer Science, Geography, Political Science or related field with a proven quantitative background.
2.Familiarity with advanced statistical analysis and modelling, and using geographic information systems, remote sensing, and data management skills are required.
3.Masters degree in Conflict Management, Applied Earth Observation or related quantitative relevant field is desirable.
4.Experience with Google Earth Engine and Python is considered an asset.
5.Knowledge of relevant quantitative methods for combining spatial data is considered an asset.
6.Experience with conflict analysis, human security and peacebuilding is considered an asset.
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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.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is an asset.
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration
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.
English:
“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.”
French :
« Dans le contexte de la pandémie de maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19), et compte tenu des contraintes liées à la délivrance des visas, aux voyages internationaux et à l’accès aux locaux de l’ONU,
il peut être demandé aux candidates et candidats d’effectuer leur stage à distance, en totalité ou en partie ».
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.
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.