Legal Internship

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 UNEP Law Division is the Lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the work of the Law Division focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive developmental of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance.

This internship is located in the UNEP Environmental Rule of Law Branch within the UNEP Law Division (Duty station: Nairobi).

Under the direct supervision of the Principal Legal Officer, within the Environmental Rule of Law Branch (the Branch), or his designated representative(s), the intern will work with and learn from a team of experienced legal professionals in the area of international rules and procedure (such as institutional law, the procedures of governing bodies, the law and practice of UNEP and contribute to its progressive development. The intern is expected to:

1. Assist in performing the Law Division’s roles and functions, as part of the secretariat to UNEP’s governing bodies.
2. Assist with the preparation of documents, background notes, legal opinions pertaining to procedural questions.
3. Support in conducting in-depth research on questions of substantive and procedural law, prepare written summaries and/or make oral presentations of his/her research, including briefing notes and reports.
4. Assist in the organization and support of training events and other meetings and workshops that are organized by the Branch or the Director’s Office, or in which the Branch or the Director’s Office, is involved through, e.g., preparing the agenda, liaising with participants, assisting with the virtual set up where needed, compiling materials, making presentations and taking notes.
5. Assist in the finalization of key publications on the legal framework of UNEP and communication material, promoting the Law Division’s work, including through research, drafting and editing.
6. Support in such other tasks, as may be assigned by the Principal Legal Officer, Head of Units and Legal Officers.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must currently be enrolled or recently graduated from a programme in law, with a focus on public international law, the law of international organizations, or related areas.

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 students or have completed a university degree in law (Bachelor’s, Master of Law or PhD).

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.

Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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.