Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established in 1972, UNEP promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges and fostering international cooperation on environmental issues.

Job Overview:
This internship is based in the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol (the Ozone Secretariat) at the Nairobi duty station. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary and will have the opportunity to learn from a team of experienced professionals. The internship aims to deepen the intern's understanding of sustainable cooling and energy efficiency in the context of the Montreal Protocol. The intern will develop skills related to the preparation of background documents for intergovernmental meetings and gain experience in developing policy-relevant materials. This includes contributions to an online toolkit for energy efficiency policy options and an atlas on sustainable cold chain. The intern will support the team in advancing its work on energy efficiency and sustainable cooling, engaging in various tasks that enhance their professional development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will undertake a variety of tasks under the supervision of substantive experts, including:

• Analyzing submissions from parties and conducting related research on energy efficiency and sustainable cooling;
• Developing sections of background documents for key meetings, fact sheets, and policy briefs, as well as online resources, while conducting the associated research;
• Supporting meetings that take place during the internship period;
• Assisting in the preparation of materials for intergovernmental meetings;
• Engaging in discussions and contributing to team efforts on energy efficiency and sustainable cooling initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in engineering, environmental policy, or a related field; (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, environmental policy, or a related field. While professional work experience is not required for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. The ability to draft technical papers for a general readership and deliver high-quality products under pressure is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme. Proof of enrollment or completion must be provided with the application, and an official certificate will be required at a later stage.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required, applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant field such as engineering or environmental policy. The internship is designed for individuals who are either completing their studies or have recently graduated, allowing them to gain practical experience in a professional setting.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, and proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the organization. Knowledge of other official UN languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish is also beneficial.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required 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 a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.