Disaster Risk Reduction Intern

Expected duration: 6 months starting September 2025

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. UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Branch 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 Disasters and Conflicts Branch extends UNEP’s work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from disasters or conflicts. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods, and ecosystem services, and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process.

The Disasters and Conflicts Branch promotes sustainable management of natural resources in disaster- and conflict-affected countries. The branch’s work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peacebuilding and disaster risk reduction. Since 1999, the team has conducted field operations in over 40 countries and works in close cooperation with the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding frameworks of the UN system. More information can be found at www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts

One specific area of our work on disaster risk reduction is sand and dust storms. At least 25 per cent of global dust emissions originate from human activities like unsustainable land management and water use, causing damage to the environment, health, and human livelihoods. The United Nations has declared 2025–2034 the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, underscoring international concern over the issue and promoting proactive measures through awareness and action. As a member of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, UNEP brings an environmental angle to conversations and programming on sand and dust storms. In the last few years, UNEP has produced several publications on sand and dust storms, such as the Global Assessment of Sand and Dust Storms, which identifies some of the causes, consequences and nature-based solutions to this issue. UNEP is currently coordinating efforts to draft regional master plans to combat sand and dust storms, as well as organizing events to promote dialogue and cooperation on this issue among affected Member States.

The internship position is based at the UNEP office in Nairobi, Kenya, and is for a highly motivated person committed to environmental issues. The intern will support UNEP in the delivery of its project activities including research on sand and dust storms policy and programming, project development, planning and assisting events, and communications.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. 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. Interns may only undertake internships within UN Secretariat agencies for a cumulative duration of 6 months maximum.

Responsibilities:-

1. Undertake and support research on sand and dust storms (SDS), including:
   a) Desk-based research on efforts by international organizations and Member States to combat SDS.
   b) Internal stocktaking across UNEP to identify existing initiatives, gaps, and opportunities for programming on SDS.
   c) Monitoring and synthesizing emerging literature and policy developments on the environmental dimensions of SDS (e.g. land degradation, ecosystems, pollution, and climate change).
2. Support UNEP’s engagement in the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (UNCCSDS), including background research, coordination support, and documentation of relevant discussions and partner inputs.
3. Assist in documenting good practices, country-level initiatives, and regional approaches to SDS monitoring, mitigation, and transboundary collaboration.
4. Provide logistical, research, and communications support to events and workshops, in particular the preparatory and UNEA-7 workshop on SDS scheduled for December 2025.
5. Support project development on SDS and related themes under UNEP’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience portfolio.
6. Assist with internal communications and briefing support on SDS and related issues for UNEP senior leadership.
7. Contribute to the development of technical materials, meeting summaries, concept notes, and presentations to inform UNEP’s strategic positioning on SDS.
8. Perform any other tasks as requested by the Unit Head, in support of UNEP’s DRR work.

Qualifications/special skills

• Master’s degree (but within 1 year of graduation) or currently enrolled in a master’s program or the final year of undergraduate degree.
• Background in environmental sciences, environmental policy, natural resource management, climate change studies, or similar study area
• Interest and familiarity with online communications
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in English is required
• Experience with event management.
• Demonstrated interest in West Asia and/or North Africa.

Languages

Fluency and ability to write clearly and succinctly in 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.