Event Management and Communications 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.

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 ecosystem approach, including the consequences of disasters and conflicts. Focusing on tackling 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 ecosystem 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.

The intern will work in Nairobi and support the Marine and Freshwater Branch team under the supervision in delivering on its communications, advocacy, events management, and broader branch communications, including documentation and dissemination, 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.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Marine and Freshwater Branch’s Strategic Communication and Engagement Expert, the intern’s responsibilities will fall within the following activities to support the overall communication, advocacy, and outreach efforts for the Branch:

1. Support a wide range of communication and outreach needs and outputs, including drafting briefing notes, speeches, policy briefs, and press releases; and content development, such as video scriptwriting for public service announcements, web stories, website and social media text.
2. Support the development of multimedia communications assets across digital and traditional mediums.
3. Support the dissemination of content through media and networks.
4. Support the implementation of creative campaigns.
5. Analyze social media efforts and create reports on Campaign Activations.
6. Promote networking and building relationships with local organisations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives.
7. Undertake programme and policy research as directed.
8. Liaise with service providers and creative partners.
9. Support the documentation and dissemination of information, reports and study and assessments
10. Support in organisation and coordination of events, workshops and conferences
11. Support the branch with the organisation and coordination of marine and freshwater related events at the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly
12. Other duties to support the work of the Branch as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants 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;
• Clear 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 have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
• No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
• 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;
• Clear 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 have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.

Languages

English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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.