Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

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 Governance Affairs office engages with and guides all relevant stakeholders ranging from Member States, and non-state actors, including Major Groups and Stakeholders. The Civil Society Unit supports the engagement of the Major Groups and Stakeholders on governing issues of UNEA and UNEP led activities and ensures effective participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders in the work of UNEP at all levels. The intern will be located in the Civil Society Unit of the Governance Affairs Office within UNEP, Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the intern will support the Office in its role as UNEP’s liaison with Major Groups and Stakeholders with additional focus on the Children and Youth Major Group and Indigenous Peoples. In this context, the Office seeks energetic and motivated interns to begin in September or October 2026 or possibly also later, for a period of 6 months and contribute to the following areas, as assigned: - Assist in planning and organizing key events for Major Groups and Stakeholders in follow up of UNEA-7 and in preparation on the way to UNEA-8, including the Regional Consultative Meetings, Global Consultative Meetings with Major Groups and Stakeholders, the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, and the Youth Environment Assembly. - Assist in the coordination and implementation of the UNEA resolution 7/6 on enhancing youth participation in environmental processes across UNEP and in close cooperation with the Children and Youth Major Group. - Support coordination and planning meetings for Major Groups and Stakeholders and their Major Groups Facilitating Committee (MGFC) during 2026 and early 2027, including logistical and technical assistance and post-event reporting. - Support colleagues with relevant meetings set up, receive partnering NGOs and provide meeting support. - Participate in meetings and assist with developing agendas, taking minutes, and preparing written summaries of discussions. - Facilitate engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders in meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and informal Group of Friends and assist with any relevant preparatory tasks and taking notes and meeting minutes. - Assist with organizing follow-up activities, meetings, workshops, webinars and conferences related to the engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders. - Undertake other tasks as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

A first-level degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in environmental and / or international relations, social and political sciences; sustainable development, law, philosophy, political science or cultural and social studies and related fields is required; and a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) OR 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 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. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts in desirable. Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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.

Intern - Civil Society and Youth Engagement Programme Support