Programme and Communication Support Internships

Org. Setting and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment Programme) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. UN Environment’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental law and policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This internship is based in the Ecosystems Division.

The purpose of the internship is to help the UN Environment Programme on the UN General Assembly and UNEA-4 request to lead, together with FAO, on the implementation of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under supervision by the UN Decade Coordinator, (Programme Support Role) and Communications Manager, (Communication Support Role) respectively, as First Reporting Officers, and with close support from the Programme Management Associate, the interns will support the UN Decade on Ecosystems Restoration core team in undertaking the following activities:

A. Programme and Partnerships support

• Support in the establishment and management of partnerships for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (e.g. due diligence processes, developing tool kits and guidelines, partner communication channels).
• Assist with the organization of internal and external meetings and outreach events, developing necessary background materials, and report writing.
• Support the day-to-day communication and official correspondence of the UN Decade core team.
• Support the day-to-day management and regular quality control of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s official email restorationdecade@un.org
• Support the Secretariat function for the Multi-Partner Trust Fund and related meetings.
• Coordination support to flagship activities and Advisory Board.
• Provide administrative, project management, and information management support.

B. Communication Support

• Support the day-to-day communication and official correspondence of the UN Decade core team.
• Support the day-to-day management and regular quality control of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s website: www.decadeonrestoration.org
• Assist with compiling and distributing the UN Decade’s monthly newsletter.
• Support the coordination of translation needs and translation capacity for UN Decade communication materials.

C. Carry out other duties on a needs basis as may be required.

Qualifications/special skills

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

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) focused on Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy, Communications and Public Relations, International Relations, Law, Development Studies or related fields.
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
• Have graduated with a university degree.
• 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.

What inspires you to apply for this internship with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and how do you believe your participation will contribute to your personal and professional development and the UN Decade implementation?

Please indicate your major/preferred area of interest in the internship, specify only one area.

1. Programme and Partnerships support.
2. Communications Support.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Additional Information

Applicants must be pursuing qualifications in an area of study that can significantly contribute to the responsibilities outlined and overall work of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Unit including:

• Be computer literate in standard software applications, including MS Teams and Outlook.
• Possess good report writing skills.
• Demonstrate pleasant interpersonal skills.
• 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.
• Have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and has a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.  Competencies required for this internship include:
  • Communication
  • Client Orientation
  • Teamwork

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.