Expected duration
6 Months
Duties and Responsibilities
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 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. Four internship positions are available at the CITES Legal and Enforcement Unit. The Internships will be for a minimum of three (3) months and a maximum of six (6) months. The timing of the internship can be flexible according to the prospective interns' availability and academic constraints. 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. Duties and responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer(s) of the CITES Legal and Enforcement Unit, the intern will: 1. Legal Unit: • Assist with conducting research and analyses related to the implementation of specific CoP Decisions and Resolutions • Assist in conducting background research for the preparation of substantive meeting documents. • Assist in preparing documents for the meetings of the permanent committees. • Compile and prepare analyses of information submitted by Parties in response to various calls for information related to their implementation of the Convention. • Assist with other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. 2. Enforcement Unit: • Assist in conducting background research and preparation of briefing papers and documentation on enforcement matters required for meetings of CITES governing bodies. • Compile and prepare analyses of information submitted by Parties in response to various calls for information related to their implementation of the Convention. • Assist with the delivery of activities to support the implementation of CITES decisions and recommendations on enforcement matters. • Assist in the preparation of documents and materials for the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) and support the implementation of activities related to ICCWC. • Assist in communication with Parties and partner organizations such as INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Bank, and the World Customs Organization. • Assist in updating CITES and ICCWC websites and other enforcement-related web-portals. • Assist in the process of planning and organizing meetings, telephone conferences, and workshops/side events. • Prepare, review, and update, as appropriate, presentations and other materials on CITES and ICCWC to be used during workshops and meetings. • Participate in meetings as appropriate to represent the interests of the CITES Enforcement Support Team. • Minute taking, preparation, and distribution of documents as may be required before and after meetings. • Assist with other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. The following qualifications are required for this internship: • Interest and motivation to work on legal, compliance, and enforcement matters related to CITES. • Experience with compliance or enforcement (judiciary, customs, policies, wildlife authority). • Excellent writing skills are desirable. • Knowledge of CITES or similar organisations is required • Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French or Spanish is desirable.
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) Academic qualifications in the following fields: law (public, international, criminal, environmental) or social sciences, law enforcement, policing, criminal justice, homeland security, environmental law. (e) Excellent writing skills are desirable. 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. 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.
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
Specific terms of reference will be shared with the successful candidates. Due to the high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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.
No Fee
THE 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.
