Work Location

In-Person Full-time

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 Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. The Basel Convention addresses the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes throughout their lifecycle. The Rotterdam Convention promotes shared responsibility in the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. The Stockholm Convention protects human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants by reducing and ultimately eliminating their production, use, and release. The internship is located in the Executive Office (EO) of the BRS Secretariat. The Executive Office provides strategic, coordination, and administrative support to the Executive Secretary in carrying out the leadership and management functions of the Secretariat. The EO supports organizational planning, decision-making processes, coordination among Secretariat units, and engagement with key stakeholders, including Parties, United Nations entities, and development partners. The internship is designed to provide practical exposure to the work of an international organization and the functioning of a multilateral environmental agreement secretariat. The intern will support the Executive Office in research, information analysis, coordination, documentation, and organizational planning activities, while gaining hands-on experience in governance processes, strategic coordination, and executive support. Through this experience, the intern will develop analytical, organizational, and professional skills while contributing to the effective functioning of the Executive Office. The intern will assist with: Research & Analysis:

Conduct background research on policy and programmatic issues.
Compile and summarize information from reports, publications, meeting documents, and other reference materials.
Assist in preparing background notes, briefing materials, and summaries for internal use. Coordination & Support:
Assist in organizing internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas and compiling meeting materials.
Support the preparation of meeting summaries and follow-up on agreed action points.
Assist in compiling and organizing documentation for meetings and engagements involving Parties, partners, and United Nations entities.
Provide logistical and administrative support for meetings, events, and other Executive Office activities, as required. Documentation & Reporting:
Draft reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other substantive documents.
Support the organization and maintenance of information repositories, databases, and filing systems.
Help compile and organize information for reporting, planning, and monitoring purposes.
Contribute to knowledge management activities by ensuring documents and reference materials are appropriately stored and accessible. Other Tasks:
Provide support for additional assignments and activities as requested by the Executive Office.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must be enrolled in, or have graduated within the past year from, a graduate programme or the final year of an undergraduate programme in International Affairs, Environmental Science and Policy, Engineering and Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. - Applicants to the United Nations Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, applicants must be enrolled in, or have graduated within the past year from, a graduate programme or the final year of an undergraduate programme in International Affairs, Environmental Science and Policy, Engineering and Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. Please indicate your field of study and explain how it relates to this internship. - Applicants must be enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor's degree programme (or equivalent), be enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. programme, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. programme within the past year. Do you meet any of these criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to your application. Please note that an official certificate may be requested at a later stage. - Interest in environmental governance, chemicals and waste management, sustainable development, or international environmental policy is desirable. Please describe how your academic studies, coursework, research, or other activities relate to these areas. - Experience conducting academic research and preparing written assignments, policy papers, reports, dissertations, presentations, or other analytical documents is desirable. Please provide examples that demonstrate your research, analytical, and drafting skills. - Experience participating in university projects, student organizations, volunteer initiatives, conferences, workshops, or other collaborative activities is desirable. Please describe any experience supporting or coordinating activities, organizing events or meetings, or working as part of a team. - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are desirable. Please provide an example of how you managed multiple assignments, deadlines, or responsibilities in an academic, volunteer, or extracurricular setting. Please explain your interest in the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and how this internship would contribute to your academic and professional development.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. 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 – Executive Office of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions