Communication Internship

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. 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.

The overall objective of 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. It helps countries develop policies and programmes to respond to ecosystems challenges, and reduce pollution from land-based and sea-based activities, increase resilience to climate change and reflect linkages between poverty and environment in their development planning.

The SSPU’s work is guided by its project document “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea”, which includes three key areas of work:

1) Enhancing Wastewater, Nutrient Management and Sanitation Provision for Marginalized Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia ;
2) Supporting strategies, capacity and data for global wastewater and environmental surveillance in Africa; and
3) Capacity development project on water quality in the Wider Caribbean Region, including the Gulf of Mexico.

Communication and outreach are key components for the success of this project and its areas of work.

The main objective of the position of Communications Intern is to support the SSPU in the tasks of the overall communication strategy for the project “Preventing and addressing the degradation of freshwater and marine ecosystems from source to sea”.

The Communications Intern is expected to support the project team in the production and use of efficient and strategic communication products and developing awareness raising material on related topics.

The Communications Intern/ will operate under the supervision of the wastewater Programme Management Officer (P4) of the SSPU in coordination with the others PMOs of the Unit, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Unit at UNEP, and in collaboration with Communication Officer of the MFB.

Qualifications/special skills

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

•  Are enrolled in a master’s or in a Ph.D. programme; or
• Are enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s programme; or
• Are within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. programme. in the field of communications, public relations, languages, Information Technology, Graphic Design, or equivalent.

In addition:

• 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.

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.

Previous work experience is not required, however experience in the field of communications and public relations and experience working with the production of communication products is desirable.

Academic qualification on environment, natural resources management or related area is desirable.

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 an advantage.

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.