Org. Setting and Reporting
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.
The Environment Management Group (EMG) is a United Nations (UN) System-wide coordination body on environment and human settlements established in 2001 pursuant to the General Assembly resolution 53/242 in July 1999. The Group is supported by a secretariat provided by UNEP, located in Geneva, Switzerland. The EMG membership consists of the specialized agencies, programmes and organs of the United Nations including the secretariats of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
The EMG identifies issues on the international environmental agenda that warrant cooperation, and finds ways of engaging its collective capacity in coherent management responses to those issues. In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the EMG works through technical meetings, Issue Management Groups, Consultative Processes and Task Teams.
EMG seeks to recruit an Intern to offer support to the different EMG works streams. The internship is UNPAID and is envisaged to begin in October 2020 for a duration of six (6) months.
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.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Environment Management Group, the intern will assist the EMG Secretariat in its work to enhance collaboration in the UN system in the field of environment especially on environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. The intern will be tasked to support the Secretariat in the following areas:
1.EMG Nexus Dialogues;
2.Internal Environment and social sustainability in the UN System;
3.System-Wide Framework of Strategies on the Environment;
4.Inter-agency collaboration on environmental topics including i.e. biodiversity;
5.Communications.
The internship will include the following tasks but is not limited to:
-Draft/summarize documents and develop guidance materials on related topics;
-Undertake research on different topics as requested;
-Prepare quarterly newsletters and develop content for social media;
-Assist in the organization of and reporting from EMG meetings or workshops (e.g. prepare meeting documents and presentation material) and take notes during meetings;
-Offer support to the activities of the EMG Consultative Processes and Task Teams;
-Any other duties as assigned.
The details of the above activities and EMG areas of work are available in the EMG website: www.unemg.org
Competencies
Communication:
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
- Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
- Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
- Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
Teamwork:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
- Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
- Places team agenda before personal agenda
- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
- Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
Client Orientation:
- Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
- Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
- Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
- Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
- Meets deadline for delivery of products or services to clients
Education
Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(2) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or
(3) Have graduated with a university degree.
Specific to this Internship position, Candidates with a postgraduate qualification in environmental studies and/or social science with a genuine interest in and understanding of environmental issues, digital media strategies and the work of the United Nations are highly desirable.
Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications, including MS Suite (Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook). Knowledge of design software eg Photoshop and CMS such as Wordpress, is an advantage.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the Programme. Are you a student in a Bachelor’s (final year), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have you completed a degree course?
Will you be able to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the internship?
Is your field of study closely related to the type of internship you are applying for?
Languages
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of any other working languages of the UN an added advantage.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special Notice
Your application for this internship must include:
1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include:
- Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
- Graduation Date
- IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
- Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).
2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).
3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
