Internship, Data Collection, Field Support & Eco-sustainability Unit, New York

The purpose of the internship is to support the Inclusive and Sustainable Operations team in undertaking data collection and analysis further to 2016 Environmental Footprint Assessment (EFA), and the upcoming 2017 EFA.

Background

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

As a UN organization with a mandate to protect the world’s most vulnerable children being affected by climate change, UNICEF is strongly committed to reduce its environmental footprint through greenhouse gas emissions reductions from its air travel, vehicle fleet and facilities. UNICEF also aims to reduce its water consumption, paper use, and waste. This is in line with commitments made by the UN system as a whole.

For every child, hope.

The UNICEF Internship Programme offers qualified and eligible students at both Headquarters (HQ) and Country Offices (CO) the unique opportunity to acquire direct practical experience in UNICEF's work and the United Nations system under the direct supervision of experienced UNICEF staff.

Purpose

The purpose of the internship is to support the Inclusive and Sustainable Operations team in undertaking data collection and analysis further to 2016 Environmental Footprint Assessment (EFA), and the upcoming 2017 EFA.

The Environmental Footprint Assessment (EFA) is an exercise that provides a closer look at UNICEF’s organization-wide environmental footprint resulting from air travel, office operations, water use, vehicle use and waste. It paves the way to prioritize measures and projects to reduce UNICEF’s footprint.

So far, UNICEF has collected EFA and GHG-emissions data sets for the past 3 years, and will be taking a step to upload this data to a software platform as of early 2018. The data will need to be complied in a uniform manner in preparation for its upload.

UNICEF will also be rolling out staff surveys, through which key information about staff behavior and habits in relation to environmental and resource use responsibility, will be assessed. The information will be analyzed to come up with conclusions that help design behavior change workshops and communication strategies.

Under the supervision of the Eco-efficiency Specialist, Field Support & Eco-sustainability Unit, Division of Finance & Administrative Services, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Compiling and organizing the EFA and GHG emissions data from UNICEF field offices around the world. 
• Compiling and analysing survey feedback and presenting results.
• Researching and planning the creation of a baseline for a Waste Reduction campaign, including data collection and analysis through interviews and other quantitative and qualitative methods.

Duration/Start Date

The intern is expected to work 2-5 days per week for a period of 3-4 months. Start Date: as soon as possible

Benefits to Intern: 

• Gain familiarity with UNICEF’s work, in particular with the role that the Inclusive & Sustainable Operations (ISO) team plays.
• Strengthen skills in data collection and analysis.
• Experience a multicultural working environment unique to UNICEF.
• A stipend will be provided.

Key skills, technical background and experience required

Education: The intern should have a relevant university degree and be enrolled in a postgraduate programme. Excellent academic performance, as demonstrated by academic records.

Language: The intern should be fluent in English. Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable

Functional competencies:

• Analytical thinking: Demonstrates capacity for analytical thinking, collecting information, working with numbers and drawing relevant conclusions.
• Writing and communication skills: Has ability to write analytical reports. Good interpersonal communication skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel is an asset.

Personal competencies:

• Demonstrated interest in human development/humanitarian work, including in an international context.
• Enthusiasm for learning new things and applying skills in an organizational context
• High personal integrity
• Embraces diversity
• Able to work effectively with minimal supervision