Posting Title: INTERN – ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN – ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: OTHER
Posting Period: 11 September 2023 – 25 September 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Environmental Affairs-UNEP-217055-J-Other (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThe 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This internship is hosted by UNEP’s Ecosystems Division in the Marine and Freshwater Branch. The Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. The Division’s mandate is to address the environmental causes and effects from an ecosystems approach, including the consequences of disasters and conflicts. Focusing on tackling the climate change, biodiversity loss, rampant pollution, across aquatic and associated ecosystems, the Marine and Freshwater Branch helps countries develop policies and programmes to respond to ecosystems challenges, and reduce pollution from land-based activities, increase resilience to climate change and reflect linkages between poverty and the environment in their development planning. This internship is home-based (online/virtual). Within the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the intern will support the UNEP team to deliver on its communications, advocacy and events mandate in support of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) as well as the broader branch communications, including website maintenance and copywriting. The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Unit. Interns work five days per week (35-40 hours), under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. 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 Marine and Freshwater Branch’s Strategic Communication and Engagement Expert and Branch Coordination Lead, the intern’s responsibilities will fall within the following activities to support the overall communication, advocacy, and outreach efforts for the GFCR and Branch:
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- Support a wide range of communication and outreach needs and content development such as video scriptwriting for public service announcements, web stories, website content management and updates, and social media text;
- Support development and design of digital and traditional multimedia communications assets, utilizing graphic design and other software as needed;
- Prepare recommendations for events, newsletter and public content to showcase stories and portfolio impacts;
- Support social media planning/strategy and execution and, in consultation with the GFCR Global Team, support development and dissemination of content, including visual assets such as social media cards, through media and networks;
- Compose visual assets, including factsheets, presentations, data visualizations, and infographics, for internal and external use as needed;
- Liaise with service providers and creative partners;
- Undertake desktop research and support the development of concept notes;
- Editing and quality control for communication products;
- Other duties to support the work of the Branch as requested and in accordance with the Intern’s interests.
CompetenciesCOMMUNICATION: 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’ points of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies client’s 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 timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
EducationApplicants 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 first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or c. Have graduated with a university degree. Applicants must be pursuing qualifications in an area of study that can significantly contribute to the responsibilities outlined and overall work of the Marine and Freshwater Branch, including:
- Be computer literate in standard software applications (particularly, proficiency using MS Office Suite);
- Possess high-level English writing skills.
- Demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrate interest in issues related to ecosystems management, restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate change or sustainable development. Have 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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Work ExperienceNo 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.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English is required 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 area.
AssessmentPotential 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 NoticeYour 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 feel 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). Upon completion of the assignment, it is anticipated that the Intern will:
- Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and has a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
- Have improved communication skills through interaction with UNEP staff, Executive and Senior Management, governments and partner organizations.
- Have developed significant knowledge on the topic of marine and coastal ecosystems and the work of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs.
- Have gained a better understanding of UNEP’s operations and the overall United Nations system. Due to a high volume of applications received ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.