Work Location
Paris duty station
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. This internship position is in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, Mitigation Branch, Policy and Planning Unit. The strategic objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division (CCD) is to achieve climate stability and to contribute to UNEP’s vision for a healthy, prosperous and resilient people and planet. The UNEP CCD Mitigation Branch advances this vision by developing responses and deploying solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Policy and Planning Unit works on implementing integrated policy approaches to strengthen climate action. Its focus is on enhancing the financing and implementation of NDCs and enabling a sustainable and cost-effective transformation towards energy-efficient development pathways. At the heart of the Policy and Planning Unit’s work are the priorities and perspectives of key stakeholders from both the public and private sector. Responsibilities: Under the supervision, guidance and mentoring of the Programme Management Officer, the Intern will carry out the following duties: 1. Support the implementation of the NDC Act & Invest Project: • Contribute to research on the enabling environment for climate finance, including the alignment of policies and development plans such as NDCs, LT-LEDS, and NBSAPs. • Contribute to country-specific inputs for policy alignment, investment planning, private sector engagement, blended finance opportunities and technical guidance. • Provide inputs to briefing materials, reports, and documentation in support of project delivery and donor reporting. • Provide strategic support on emerging issues to strengthen project outcomes. • Contribute to the development of a dedicated communications strategy for NDC Act & Invest. 2. Perform other duties as required to support effective implementation of activities of the Policy and Planning Unit, such as: • Contribute to the preparation of background papers, technical briefs, and knowledge products. • Support the organization of meetings, workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events. • Participate in organization-wide climate change events, workshops and briefings and report back to the Head of the Policy and Planning Unit. Through this internship, the intern will have the opportunity to gain exposure to and develop an understanding of: • The structure and functioning of the United Nations, including its principal organs and the broader UN system architecture. • The different areas of work of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on climate change through participation in town halls and organization-wide meetings, with particular exposure to its work on NDCs. • Planning and management processes for projects within the United Nations system, including results-based management, work planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Preferred Area of Study: Sustainability Management, Environmental Law, Environment Science, Policy and Leadership, Business Management, Governance, Political Science, or other related fields. 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. Be computer literate in standard software applications. Candidate should demonstrate keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter. Candidate should demonstrate 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.
Languages
Knowledge of one of the following UN language is an advantage: Chinese, French, Spanish.
Additional Information
Core Value: Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds; Treats all people with dignity and respect; Treats men and women equally; Shows respect for and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making; Examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; Does not discriminate against any individual or group. Core Competencies: 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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. 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 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 At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.
