Posting Title: INTERN – ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN – ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS

Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 20 June 2023 – 04 July 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Environmental Affairs-UNEP-211714-J-Nairobi (O)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environment 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 UNEP Programme Management internship is for 6 months. The internship is unpaid and full-time interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department of office to which they are assigned. UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division addresses environmental issues at global and regional levels, provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The industry and Economy Division also works with many partners, including Member States, to advance the organization’s global goals as well as national efforts to transition to a low-carbon, green economy. Within the Industry and Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch is focused on resource efficiency, inclusive green economy, and circularity. It leads the UNEP Green Economy Initiative and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, One Planet Network, International Resource Panel, Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) and many other initiatives. All these aims to shift national economies onto a more sustainable path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services. GO4SDGs initiative is an accelerator of the SDGs, SDG12 and SDG8. GO4SDGs focuses one 3 main action areas: supporting governments to strengthen policy coherence; 2) support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase capacities and access for financing innovation and circularity; and empower youth to amplify their voices and embrace sustainable lifestyles. As part of this work, GO4SDGs is supporting policies and initiatives to advance the transition to a circular economy at the regional level, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Central Asia, West Asia and Asia Pacific The internship is in the GO4SDGS subprograms in the Industry and Economy Division in Nairobi. The Internship is for 6 months and UNPAID. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. 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.

Responsibilities

The objective of the internship is to:

•  Carry out research on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and circular economy to support elaboration of briefings, articles, presentations, and other documents.
•  Prepare regional and national concept notes and presentation on SCP and its environmental impacts for the difference regions, using UNEPs SCP-Hotspot Analysis Tool (SCP-HAT).
•  Support with the coordination of GO4SDGs activities, including keeping an updated calendar of events, organizing periodical meetings with internal and external partners in priority topics.
•  Support engagement of youth in regional and global dialogues around green jobs for youth – in close cooperation with ILO and UNICEF, including preparation of background papers and concept notes.
•  Prepare power point presentations and briefings for GO4SDGs events.
•  Supporting the communications and outreach of GO4SDGS events and cooperation with the team of “10 Year Framework of Programmes on SCP – (10YFP). This includes drafting invitations, writing reports, preparing presentations, developing designs and layouts or electronic invitations for social media, and other news coverage, drafting briefings, and speaking points. These activities will be done in coordinating with GO4SDGs communication expert.
•  Keep up to date the GO4SDGs network and database of internal and external partners (identify opportunities, encourage outreach, link to other platforms and websites).

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. . 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. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

EducationApplicants 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. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. c. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree Programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent. d. Have or is undertaking the following courses: – Environmental Science, Data Science, Chemistry, Biology, Health, International Development, Design Studies Project Development, International Studies, Economics or similar. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. 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.

Work ExperienceNo working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required; and [‘fluency’ or ‘knowledge’] of French is [‘desirable’ or ‘an advantage’]. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

AssessmentPotential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special NoticeYour 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 enrolment 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. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. 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.

No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.