Intern - CITES Governing Bodies Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote 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. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental issues and policies to foster sustainable development and conservation efforts.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the CITES Governing Bodies Unit is designed to provide support to the Secretariat in implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer and will be involved in various tasks that contribute to the effective functioning of the CITES Secretariat. This includes assisting in the preparation of documents and reports for CITES permanent committees, providing logistical support during meetings, and helping to maintain the integrity of the ivory stockpile database. The role is crucial in ensuring that international wildlife trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable, aligning with the overarching goals of CITES and UNEP.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: assisting in the preparation of documents and reports for submission to CITES permanent committees; providing logistical support during meetings, including side events; collecting and recording committee members' participation and travel details; updating relevant webpages and uploading documents during meetings; assisting with the document tagging and archival system within the CITES Secretariat; collecting and compiling data from member states into the ivory stockpile database; preparing analyses of information submitted by Parties related to their implementation of the Convention; note-taking during meetings as assigned; and performing other tasks as directed by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: (a) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent); (b) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); (c) have graduated with a university degree; or (d) possess academic qualifications in political science, social science, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">environmental law, or a related field. Knowledge of archiving and cataloging, as well as website content management systems (e.g., Drupal), is desirable. Fluency in English is required, while fluency in French or Spanish is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a bachelor's degree programme, a master's programme, or a Ph.D. programme, or having completed one of these degrees. The field of study should be closely related to the internship position, such as environmental law, political science, or social science. Proof of enrollment or graduation will need to be provided during the application process.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship they are applying for. This means that relevant academic experience or coursework will be beneficial in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable, as it can enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse environment of the UN. 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 expected to last for a duration of six months. It is important to note that interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Specific terms of reference will be shared with successful candidates, and due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.