The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is hiring a Communications Intern for the CITES MIKE Program in Nairobi for Six Months.
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 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in specimens (plants, animals and parts and derivatives thereof) of about 36,000 species listed in the three Appendices of the Convention. In order to efficiently implement the Convention and ensure that when international wildlife trade occurs, it is legal, sustainable and traceable, Parties to CITES need to have in place adequate national legislation and designate one or more Management and Scientific authorities. The role of the Secretariat is to support Parties in the effective implementation of the Convention and the related Resolutions and Decisions. To further assist Parties and to ensure that the Convention continues to respond to current conservation needs and challenges, the Conference of the Parties is directing the Secretariat to undertake an increasing number of specific activities. The Secretariat is also tasked with organizing the annual meetings of the permanent committees and with organizing smaller ad hoc workshops and consultations.
The Monitoring of the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) program was established by the CITES Conference of the Parties to monitor levels of illegal killing of elephants in MIKE sites in elephant range States in Africa and Asia, with the goal of providing reliable information and building capacity for the management of elephant populations. The Programme’s geographical coverage expanded and now includes 100 MIKE sites spread over 47 elephant range States. An additional focus on monitoring the illegal killing of other endangered species will be explored and implemented if feasible. The CITES Secretariat is primarily responsible for the implementation of the MIKE Programme
A Communications Internship position is available in the MIKE Unit based in the Nairobi Duty Station.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the CITES MIKE Programme Management Officer, the intern will assist with planning, researching, producing, and releasing communications and multimedia materials on a broad range of wildlife conservation topics across various CITES channels, as well as supporting capacity-building and programme management activities. The work will contribute to strengthening public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and visibility of the CITES MIKE Programme activities at regional and global levels.
The tasks will include, but not limited to:
- Draft content for social media posts highlighting CITES MIKE’s work and broader global biodiversity topics, ensuring alignment with CITES communication guidelines and MIKE communication plan.
- Edit and produce photo and video content
- Design outreach and capacity building materials (e.g. Â factsheets, PowerPoint presentations, branded templates, and others as relevant)
- Organize and maintain internal storage for CITES MIKE’s multimedia assets (e.g., images, videos, graphics)
- Support communication planning and implementation for campaigns, capacity building activities, and key meetings
- Monitor social media and website performance and compile monthly and/or quarterly communications reports.
- Maintain basic tracking lists, calendars, and documentation related to CITES MIKE activities
- Assist with other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must, at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(b) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); or
(c) have graduated with a university degree
(d) Preferred area of study:Academic background and experience in communications, graphic design, or other relevant areas (including social media, web development/management). Certification in graphic design software applications, such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Canva, or similar, is required
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.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Additional Information
Applicants must, at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or
(b) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); or
(c) 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.
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.
