Internship at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and was established following the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. It operates in over 100 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various environmental initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), which is administered by UNEP. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer for National Reports, Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review unit, Implementation Support Division. The internship is designed to assist with the planning, monitoring, reporting, and review of the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The intern will engage in activities related to updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans, as well as national reports. The internship is unpaid and has a duration of three to six months, with a start date of September 202

• Interns are expected to work five days a week, totaling 35-40 hours, and are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will assist with various tasks including reviewing and analyzing updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), national targets, and national reports. They will contribute to documentation and analyses for major meetings under the Convention and related capacity development activities. The intern will also facilitate the submission of updated NBSAPs and national reports, support the organization and preparation of meetings, and provide logistical support, note-taking, and report preparation. Additional duties may be assigned by the supervisor or the Executive Secretary as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent), or have graduated with a university degree. Candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications and demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. They should also have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Educational Background:
Candidates should ideally be students currently undertaking or having completed studies in fields such as international sustainable development, international environmental policy, public finance and development planning, biodiversity-related or environmental sciences. Familiarity with the issues and processes under the Convention and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is desirable. Skills in using AI for analyzing or synthesizing large reports and datasets are also preferred.

Experience:
While applicants are not required to have professional work experience, they must have a field of study closely related to the internship they are applying for. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship. Knowledge of another UN language, such as Spanish or French, is desirable. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while 'knowledge of' indicates a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.