Work Location

Paris, France

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. Since 2015, UNEP has hosted the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), launched during the first Buildings Day at COP21. The GlobalABC Secretariat is part of UNEP’s Buildings and Cooling Unit, Sectoral Transition Section, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division. With over 430 members, including 75 national governments, the GlobalABC is the leading global platform for governments, the private sector, civil society, research institutions and intergovernmental organizations committed to a common vision: a zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector. The GlobalABC: • is a global advocate and a catalyst to action: GlobalABC advocates for market transformation and focuses on catalysing action towards a zero-emission, efficient and resilient built environment. It promotes the sector’s importance for global climate action through international high-level events, including climate COPs and the Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, and coordinates implementation work through its Hubs and Action Groups, the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC), and the Near-Zero Emission and Resilient Buildings Priority Action Scheme (NZERB PAS). • is a trusted platform to set targets and track progress: GlobalABC tracks progress in its annual Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction and its Global Building Climate Tracker, an index tracking progress towards decarbonisation of the sector; GlobalABC co-leads the Human Settlements Pathway under the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, which outlines the 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation goals. • supports countries in setting priorities and measures based on their national circumstances: GlobalABC develops policy guidance and global and regional buildings and construction roadmaps outlining aspirational targets, timelines and key actions for essential policies and technologies, while supporting the development and implementation of national and city-level buildings and construction roadmaps and enhanced ambition in NDCs. • supports the private sector transition with priorities and strategies toward business models focused on decarbonising and increasing the resilience of buildings. Two internship positions are in UNEP's Buildings and Cooling Unit (Buildings and Construction team), Sectoral Transition Section, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, duty station – Paris, France. Duration of the internship: 6 months. - One internship is expected to start in January 2027 (2 interns) - One internship is expected to start in July 2027 (2 interns) The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (37.5 hours) under the overall supervision of the Chief of Sectoral Transition Section and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer at the Buildings and Cooling Unit. 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. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the intern will be responsible for the following tasks: Selected interns will assist the Buildings and Construction team in the coordination and implementation of the activities to promote sustainable buildings and construction, including through the GlobalABC. Duties may include, but are not limited to: • Support the preparation of online events and webinars, including outreach and communications, operations and logistics. • Support the preparation of the 2027 GlobalABC Annual Assembly and other major GlobalABC events and convenings. • Support the preparation of GlobalABC activities at COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (8–19 November 2027). • Support the coordination of GlobalABC Hubs’ and Action Groups’ activities, as well as activities related to the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC). • Support GlobalABC member outreach, including maintaining and updating member databases and supporting membership-related activities. • Support the development of communication materials such as presentations, articles, newsletters, website and Knowledge Platform content, and general awareness raising. • Prepare meeting notes and outcome-based summaries for events, as requested. • Assist other team members in various activities related to the overall performance of the Buildings and Cooling Unit’s buildings and construction activities. • Participate in team meetings and work proactively in performing tasks.

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. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Preferred area of study: A Master's degree (completed or ongoing) in environmental policy, political science, international development or economics, preferably with relevant specialization in sustainable buildings and construction, resource efficiency, circularity, climate change or a related field.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required.

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.


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