The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCAP also provides support to partners at the national level.
In alignment with its programmatic work and the UN-wide “Greening the Blue” campaign that supports the greening of UN operations across the globe, ESCAP is committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its facilities and operations to contribute positively to climate change mitigation and lead by example in the region. Since 2018, ESCAP has established an Environmental Management System (EMS) to continuously reduce its environmental footprint. The EMS covers several environmental impact areas of ESCAP facilities and operations such as energy use, waste generation, water consumption, travel emissions, meetings emissions, and staff awareness.
In the first EMS cycle (2018-2022), significant actions have been implemented in all these priority environmental action areas leading to major environmental progress (to know more: https://unescap.org/sustainability-at-escap).
The EMS project is now embarking into its second cycle (2022-2026) where an expansion of the EMS scope to the regional offices and the programmatic work of ESCAP is taking place. The environmental management team is looking for an intern with an environmental background to support the development and implementation of the EMS phase II work plan. The intern will work in an inspiring, proactive, and dynamic environment where creativity and proactivity are sought.
The expected internship duration is 6 months. A duration of 4 to 5 months would also be acceptable. The intern reports directly to the ESCAP Environmental Management Officer.
The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Flexible arrangements are possible.
In close collaboration and under the supervision of the EMS team, the intern is expected to undertake the following support activities:
1. Support in designing and implementing the EMS phase 2 action plan activities
2. Support the organization of EMS events and meetings with key stakeholders
3. Support with data collection and analysis related to the ESCAP environmental work (data for the annual Greenhouse Gas inventory, sustainable procurement, etc.).
4. Assist in the creation of environmental awareness campaigns and engagement initiatives for staff, visitors, and general public (greening tips, staff vegetable garden, World Environment Day celebrations, Environmental Sustainability Exhibition booth at the UN Conference Center, etc.)
5. Support the maintenance of the EMS SharePoint site for document management and archiving.
6. Provide research assistance in areas related to environmental management.
7. Provide other assistance as needed.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as the proposed internship program will offer the opportunity to apply technical and practical knowledge of environmental sustainability and climate action principles in the context of the United Nations.
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations.
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.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box". Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), preferably in the areas of Environmental Management, Sustainability, Environmental Economics, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, or related areas; OR
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent) preferably in the areas mentioned above; OR
• Have graduated with a university degree preferably in the areas mentioned above (as defined above).
• Proficiency in Office 365 and SharePoint development is considered an advantage.
• Have a 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 includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
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. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
REMOTE INTERNSHIPS (COVID-19): 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.
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.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Candidate Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note should include:
• Degree Programme (What are you currently studying or what have you studied)
• Graduation date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme)
• List of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in
• List of your top three areas of interest
• Explanation of why you are the most suitable candidate for this specific internship
• Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
In your online Candidate Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences (if any), IT skills, and three references.
Please note that due to the large number of applicants, divisions are not in a position to reply to each application and that ONLY short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.
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.