Internship at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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. Established in 1972, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and operates in over 100 countries. The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), established in 1991, supports projects aimed at reversing the deterioration of the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer and reducing the consumption of high global warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The MLF is managed by an Executive Committee with equal representation from seven industrialized and seven Article 5 countries, and it reports annually to the Meeting of the Parties. The Fund Secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada, and is administered by UNEP, which emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
This internship is located within the UNEP/MLF at the Montreal duty station, where interns are expected to work five days a week, totaling 35-40 hours under the supervision of a staff member. The internship is designed for individuals who have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Interns will gain valuable experience in a professional environment, contributing to the mission of the UNEP and the Multilateral Fund. The internship will provide opportunities to engage with various stakeholders, conduct research, and assist in the preparation of important documents and databases that support the work of the Executive Committee and the Secretariat. Interns will also be involved in organizing meetings and events, thereby enhancing their organizational and communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will assist the Multilateral Fund Secretariat with a variety of tasks, including:

• Extracting relevant data and information from existing databases to prepare lists, tables, and charts for policy and project documents for the Executive Committee.
• Conducting research on country profile structures for all Article 5 countries and creating profiles for the identified countries.
• Supporting the development of a database for the servicing sector in countries that received support from the Multilateral Fund under hydrochlorofluorocarbons phase-out management plans (HPMPs).
• Assisting with the research, categorization, extraction, and preparation of datasets for migration to the new Secretariat Knowledge Management System, as well as preparing content for the meeting portal and the MLF decisions handbook.
• Providing support in organizing and holding meetings of the Executive Committee and other events of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat.
• Coordinating activities related to the content creation of the new Secretariat website and other related tasks.
• Maintaining an inventory of organizational needs and requirements, assisting with reports and communication.
• Identifying and analyzing patterns in data using standard techniques.
• Assisting with any other tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above). Preferred areas of study include Information and Communications Technology or any equivalent degree that is research-related, such as Sociology or Library and Information Science. The applicant should possess analytical skills, good communication skills (both written and oral), proficiency in computer skills, and a keen interest in the work of the United Nations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. programme, or having completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. programme. The preferred area of study is related to information and communications technology or other research-related fields.

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 type of internship they are applying for. This means that candidates should ideally have academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. Therefore, it is essential for candidates to have fluent reading, writing, and speaking abilities in both English and French. Additionally, a working knowledge of Spanish is desirable, and knowledge of other UN languages such as Arabic, Chinese, or Russian is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs and arrangements for 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 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. 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.