INTERN - ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Environment Management Group (EMG) is a United Nations (UN) System-wide coordination body on
environment and human settlements established in 2001 pursuant to the General Assembly resolution 53/242 in
July 1999. The Group is supported by a secretariat provided by UNEP, located in Geneva, Switzerland. The EMG
membership consists of the specialized agencies, programmes and organs of the United Nations including the
secretariats of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

The EMG identifies issues on the international environmental agenda that warrant cooperation, and finds ways
of engaging its collective capacity in coherent management responses to those issues. In accordance with its
Terms of Reference, the EMG works through technical meetings, Issue Management Groups, Consultative
Processes and Task Teams.

The EMG seeks to recruit interns to offer support to the different EMG works streams. Multiple interns are envisaged to begin their internship in between March 2023 to September 2023 for a duration of six (6) months.

The Internship is for 6 months and UNPAID. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

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.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the intern will assist the EMG
Secretariat in its work to enhance collaboration in the UN system in the field of environment. The intern will be tasked to support the Secretariat in the following areas:

1. EMG Nexus Dialogues;
2. Internal environmental and social sustainability in the UN System;
3. The System-Wide Framework of Strategies on the Environment;
4. Interagency collaboration on environmental topics including addressing biodiversity loss, pollution and human rights and the environment;
5. Communications.

The internship will include but will not be limited to the following tasks:
• Drafting documents and summarizing information.
• Undertaking research on different topics as requested;
• Preparing quarterly newsletters and developing content for social media;
• Assisting the organization of and reporting from EMG meetings and taking notes during meetings;
• Offering support to the activities of the various EMG workstreams;
• Any other duties as assigned.

Competencies

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

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

Client Orientation:
- Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point
of view
- 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 deadline for delivery of products or services to clients

Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(1) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(2) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or
(3) Have graduated with a university degree.

Specific to this Internship, candidates with a postgraduate qualification in environmental studies and/or social science with a genuine interest in and understanding of environmental issues, digital media strategies and the work of the United Nations will be preferred.

Furthermore, successful candidates:
- Are computer literate in standard software applications;
- Demonstrate keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the core values of the UN;
- Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and
beliefs, which include willingness to try to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Work Experience

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.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of any other working languages of the UN an
added advantage.
NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of"
equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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.

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.

United Nations Considerations

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.

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.