Internship in Urban Food Systems and Food Waste

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity of the United Nations system for addressing environmental issues at both global and regional levels. UNEP's mission is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, ensuring that the global environment is continuously reviewed and that emerging issues are brought to the attention of governments and the international community for action. Established in 1972, UNEP operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to promoting sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly in the context of climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is part of UNEP's Climate Change Division, specifically within the Cities Unit, which is based in Paris. The Cities Unit focuses on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, which encompasses various aspects such as sustainable buildings, urban food systems, energy efficiency, and integrated urban planning. The intern will support the Urban Food Systems and Food Waste workstream, contributing to the UN's broader strategy on sustainable urban development. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about environmental issues and are eager to gain practical experience in the field of sustainable food systems. The internship is expected to last for six months, starting as soon as possible, and requires a full-time commitment of 37.5 hours per week. It is important to note that this internship is unpaid, and candidates will need to manage their own travel and visa arrangements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the coordination and implementation of activities related to sustainable food systems and food waste reduction. Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the day-to-day operations of UNEP-led coalitions and communities of practice focused on food systems and food waste, which involves organizing virtual meetings, drafting agendas, and preparing summaries and reports.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of joint activities on sustainable urban food systems in collaboration with UN agencies, civil society, cities, and private-sector partners.
• Tracking key global food systems processes, such as Climate and Biodiversity Conferences of the Parties (COPs) and the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Stocktaking, while supporting the organization of advocacy events during these processes.
• Liaising with thematic task teams and facilitating information-sharing on UNEP's sustainable food systems activities across the organization.
• Conducting research on sustainable food systems policies, governance, and climate impacts, and drafting briefing notes, policy summaries, and presentations.
• Leading the development of communications content, including newsletters, member updates, and event summaries, as well as supporting updates to the stopfoodlosswaste.org website.
• Exploring and articulating UNEP's role at the intersection of biodiversity, nutrition, and climate change, identifying entry points for integrated food systems action, and contributing to new project research and development.
• Supporting administrative processes such as reporting and contracting of implementing partners.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Additionally, 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. A demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs is also essential, including a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views. Preferred areas of education include climate science, food systems, environmental governance, or related fields.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes enrollment in a graduate program or being in the final year of an undergraduate program. Candidates should ideally have a focus on areas such as climate science, food systems, environmental governance, or other related fields. The internship is designed to benefit from the training, education, and advanced coursework of the candidates, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting within the United Nations framework.

Experience:
No prior working experience is required to apply for this internship position. The United Nations Internship Programme is open to individuals who are currently pursuing their education or have recently graduated. The emphasis is on the candidate's training, education, and skills that can contribute to the work of the United Nations during the internship period.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this internship position, proficiency in English is required. Additionally, knowledge of French, Arabic, or Spanish is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse environment of the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
Interns at the United Nations are not financially compensated for their work. Therefore, candidates must be prepared to cover their own costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses. It is the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions to arrange these logistics. Furthermore, interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is conducted may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements with the United Nations before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.