Work Location

In the offices of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, in Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration

6 Jan-6 July 2025

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 United Nations Environment (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity that addresses environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The position is located in the Governance Branch of UNEP's Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, in Geneva. The Branch is responsible for the overall management of the meetings of the conferences of the Parties and those of their subsidiary bodies, among other programmatic functions. The internship is for 6 months. The Internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background; the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the Basel COP Coordinator, the Rotterdam Coordinator, and the Stockholm COP Coordinator in the Governance Branch, the intern will: Provide support for the preparations of and running of the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (28 April to 9 May 2025, Geneva). Tasks will include preparation of various documents, such as meeting documents and reports; drafting of letters and other written outputs, such as presentations or training materials; assist in the organization of regional preparatory meetings, bureaux meetings, webinars, teleconferences and other briefings; support in organizing side events and other type of events during the meetings; assist in developing outreach materials and web content; assist in compiling and formatting chairs notes; provide any further support to the COP coordinators in the preparation and running of the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties, as required. Areas of work may include: • Chemicals and wastes management; • International environmental law and negotiations; • Programme planning and management; • Meeting coordination; • Communication and outreach; • Other areas as may be assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

Education Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Be computer literate in standard software applications. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. Have a demonstrated 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. Preferred area of study: business management, public administration, international law, including international environmental law, environmental management including chemicals and waste management. Work Experience Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.