Geneva, Switzerland

6 months

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 Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. The Basel Convention was created to protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the most comprehensive global treaty dealing with hazardous waste materials throughout their lifecycles, from production and transport to final use and disposal. The Rotterdam Convention provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention. The Stockholm Convention is to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage. The internship is located in the Executive Office. The Executive Office provides strategic, coordination, and administrative support to the Executive Secretary in carrying out the leadership and management functions of the BRS Secretariat. It ensures effective internal communication, facilitates decision-making processes, and coordinates the Executive Secretary’s engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including senior UN officials, government representatives, and development partners. The internship aims to provide practical experience in high-level coordination and policy work, while contributing to the EO’s mandate of ensuring effective organizational governance and strategic alignment. The intern will assist with: • Research & Analysis: o Conduct background research on policy and programmatic issues. o Prepare briefs, talking points, and summaries for senior management. • Coordination & Support: o Assist in organizing meetings, drafting agendas, and preparing minutes. o Support interdepartmental coordination and follow-up on action points. • Documentation & Reporting: o Draft reports, presentations, and communication materials. o Maintain knowledge management systems and update relevant databases. • Other Tasks: o Provide support for special projects and initiatives as assigned by the EO.

Applicants must be enrolled in or have recently completed (within one year) a graduate or final year of an undergraduate programme in International Affairs, Environmental Science and Policy, Engineering and Public Policy, Public Administration. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Interest in the field of Chemicals and Waste is desirable, please provide any details on experience (academic or other) related to this area. Experience in policy research, background notes, and drafting of analytical briefs is desirable. Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies: i) excellent communication (verbal and written), ii) research and analysis skills, iii) Coordination and support, iv) Reporting and documentation.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Not available.

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.

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.