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. UNEP plays a critical role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges and fostering international cooperation on environmental issues.

Job Overview:
This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), which is administered by UNEP and is situated in Montreal. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer for National Reports, Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review unit, Implementation Support Division. The primary focus of this internship will be to assist in the planning, monitoring, reporting, and review of the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This includes working with updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans, national targets, and national reports. The intern will be involved in analyzing documents provided by Parties and non-state actors to support the global review of collective progress in implementing the framework, which will be reviewed at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in October 202

• The intern will also assist in organizing meetings and providing logistical support, as well as preparing reports and documentation for major meetings under the Convention.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a variety of responsibilities, including: reviewing and analyzing updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), national targets, and national reports; contributing to documentation and analyses for major meetings; facilitating the submission of updated NBSAPs and national reports; supporting the organization and preparation of meetings, including logistical support and note-taking; and assisting with other duties as requested by the supervisor or the Executive Secretary. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

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. 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 commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. The ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds is essential, as is a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
Candidates should ideally be pursuing or have completed studies in fields related to international sustainable development, international environmental policy, biodiversity, or environmental sciences. Preferred candidates may include those in PhD, MBA, or 4th Year Undergraduate programs. Familiarity with the issues and processes under the Convention and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is desirable, as well as skills in using AI for analyzing or synthesizing large reports and datasets.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship type they are applying for. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s, or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs.

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

Additional Notes:
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 the country where the internship is undertaken 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, processing, or training.