Home-Based Internship Opportunity at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Environment Affairs
This internship is home-based (online/virtual). Within the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the intern will support the UNEP team to deliver on its communications, advocacy and events mandate in support of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) as well as the broader branch communications, including website maintenance and copywriting.
Home-Based Internship Opportunity at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Environment Affairs
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 ecosystems approach, including the consequences of disasters and conflicts. Focusing on tackling the 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 ecosystems 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.
This internship is home-based (online/virtual). Within the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the intern will support the UNEP team to deliver on its communications, advocacy and events mandate in support of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) as well as the broader branch communications, including 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.
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
Under the direct supervision of the Marine and Freshwater Branch’s Strategic Communication and Engagement Expert and Branch Coordination Lead, the intern’s responsibilities will fall within the following activities to support the overall communication, advocacy, and outreach efforts for the GFCR and Branch:
• Support a wide range of communication and outreach needs and content development such as video scriptwriting for public service announcements, web stories, website content management and updates, and social media text;
• Support development and design of digital and traditional multimedia communications assets, utilizing graphic design and other software as needed;
• Prepare recommendations for events, newsletter and public content to showcase stories and portfolio impacts;
• Support social media planning/strategy and execution and, in consultation with the GFCR Global Team, support development and dissemination of content, including visual assets such as social media cards, through media and networks;
• Compose visual assets, including factsheets, presentations, data visualizations, and infographics, for internal and external use as needed;
• Liaise with service providers and creative partners;
• Undertake desktop research and support the development of concept notes;
• Editing and quality control for communication products;
• Other duties to support the work of the Branch as requested and in accordance with the Intern’s interests.
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’ points of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies client’s 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 timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
- 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.
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 Experience
No 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.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English is required
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 area.
