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 in 197

• It operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and to help implement the environmental dimension of sustainable development in the context of the United Nations system.

Job Overview:
This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is administered by UNEP and is situated in Montreal. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field of environmental governance and stakeholder engagement. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer for Stakeholder Engagement and Cooperation Unit, Implementation Support Division. The internship is set to begin in October 2025 and will last for three months, with the possibility of extension depending on the needs of the organization. Interns are expected to work five days a week, totaling 35-40 hours, and will not receive financial remuneration from the United Nations. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will assist with various tasks that support the work of the Secretariat on cooperation with other conventions and international organizations, as well as on stakeholder engagement in CBD processes. Specific duties include: supporting activities and meetings related to cooperation and synergies with other conventions and multilateral environmental agreements; assisting in the preparation of documents through research and analysis; supporting the collection and analysis of information for the global review of progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; aiding in the development of communication and outreach materials; responding to requests from civil society organizations; revising and drafting web content related to cooperation and stakeholder engagement; and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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. Additionally, applicants should have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Educational Background:
The preferred area of study for applicants includes fields such as economics, international relations, communications, or other related disciplines. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Proof of enrollment or graduation must be provided with the application.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, it is essential that their field of study is closely related to the internship they are applying for. This ensures that the intern can effectively contribute to the tasks and responsibilities outlined in the internship description.

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

Additional Notes:
This 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 Canada may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to 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, including application, interview, or training.