Work Location

Paris, France

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. UNEP’s Sectoral Transition Section supports the implementation of solutions to address climate change across five strategic pillars: near-zero-emission and resilient buildings and construction; sustainable cooling and extreme heat resilience; integrated energy transition with a focus on demand-side flexibility; food waste reduction and prevention; and subnational and multilevel climate action. The Section brings together science and knowledge, policy support, finance, partnerships and implementation. It also hosts the secretariats of multistakeholder platforms, including the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the Cool Coalition and the Food is Never Waste Coalition. Through engagement with governments, the private sector, international organizations and civil society, the Section promotes collaboration and mobilizes support for sustainable sectoral transitions. Its activities include high-level conferences, ministerial dialogues, technical workshops, international summits and stakeholder consultations, which provide opportunities to advance programme objectives, strengthen partnerships and increase visibility. Two internship opportunities are available to support the Section’s private sector engagement, partnership development and event activities. The internship will be in UNEP's Sectoral Transition Section, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division. Duty station will be Paris, France. Duration of the internship: 6 months. - A 6-months internship starting in January 2027 (two interns) - A 6-months internship starting in July 2027 (two interns) Under the direct supervision of Chief of Sectoral Transition Section and Programme Management Officer, and with day-to-day guidance from the Senior Private Sector Partnerships and Events Lead and the Senior Communications Lead, the interns will support communications, partnership development and event activities across the Section's workstreams, with a particular focus on the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). The internship will provide practical experience in international environmental communications, stakeholder engagement and the coordination of global initiatives, with responsibilities divided approximately equally between communications and partnerships/events. Duties may include, but are not limited to: 1. Private Sector Engagement, Partnerships and Events (50%) Private sector engagement and partnership support

Support research and mapping of prospective partners, funding and sponsorship opportunities, and maintain stakeholder databases and partnership trackers.
Assist in preparing partner outreach materials, background notes, presentations and inputs for concept notes and partnership proposals.
Support the organization of bilateral meetings and stakeholder consultations, including scheduling, preparing briefing materials and tracking follow-up actions. Event preparation and coordination
Support the planning of conferences, workshops, webinars and other events, including maintaining an events calendar and preparing concept notes, agendas and programmes.
Assist with speaker and participant coordination, including invitations, registration, attendance tracking and practical arrangements.
Support event logistics and technical preparations, track timelines and outstanding actions, and assist in applying sustainable event practices. 2. Communications and Digital Storytelling (50%) Content development and multimedia production
Support the development of engaging, audience-focused content that communicates the Section's work on sustainable buildings, construction and cooling.
Assist in producing multimedia content, including short-form videos, photography, graphics, animations and other digital storytelling assets.
Research and develop human-centred stories, case studies and impact narratives that demonstrate how sustainable buildings and cooling solutions benefit people, communities and the environment.
Support the adaptation of technical research, reports and policy developments into accessible and compelling communications products for different audiences. Digital communications and social media
Assist in planning, creating and publishing content across GlobalABC's digital channels, particularly LinkedIn.
Support the development and implementation of social media campaigns, including editorial calendars, content scheduling and coordination with partners.
Help monitor digital engagement and communications performance, contributing to basic analytics and reporting.
Research emerging digital communications trends, tools and formats to identify opportunities for audience engagement. Website and campaign support
Assist with website content updates, including drafting, editing, formatting and publishing articles, news items, event information and other digital content.
Support the development and implementation of communications campaigns around major initiatives, international events, report launches and global advocacy moments.
Contribute to communications materials, including presentations, newsletters, digital toolkits and promotional assets.
Help maintain and organize multimedia libraries, communications resources and shared content repositories.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants 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. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Preferred areas of study: Master's degree in International Relations, Economics, Politics, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies or Business Major in Management with strong interest in sustainability. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English required.

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.

GlobalABC intern - Strategic Communications, Partnerships and Events