Intern - AI Tools and Project Monitoring

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 works with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, while also strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. UNEP's Ecosystems Division is particularly focused on these efforts, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into various development processes. The organization operates in multiple countries around the world, employing a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UNEP 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 work under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned, dedicating five days a week (35-40 hours) to their responsibilities. The primary focus of this internship is to assist the UNEP/GEF Biodiversity-Land degradation Unit in developing artificial intelligence-based project and portfolio monitoring tools and products that will aid in results-oriented project delivery. Interns will engage in various tasks, including conducting research on emerging AI trends, preparing internal papers and reports, exploring and testing AI tools, and collaborating with other UNEP teams to identify practical use cases for AI tools. This role is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of UNEP's project cycle management work and ensuring that innovative technologies are leveraged to improve environmental outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: 1) Conducting research on emerging AI trends, tools, and best practices relevant to UNEP’s project cycle management work. 2) Supporting the preparation of internal papers, reports, and presentations on these topics and sharing findings with the unit. 3) Exploring and testing emerging AI tools and approaches through quick, low-effort prototypes, specifically contributing to the development and deployment of Microsoft Copilot Studio agents and related automation tools. 4) Contributing to the development and refinement of a Prompt Catalogue to support effective use of generative AI. 5) Collaborating with other UNEP internal teams to identify practical use cases for AI tools and assessing their feasibility through rapid testing. 6) Supporting the organization and coordination of regular meetings, workshops, and webinars in designing the Unit’s AI-based project monitoring systems. 7) Assisting in producing short summaries and videos demonstrating how AI-based monitoring tools can be utilized to aid unit staff in their work. 8) Attending meetings, trainings, and conferences relevant to UNEP in Geneva. 9) Performing other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) preferably in a relevant domain, with experience in AI tools or technologies. Applicants should describe their experience with AI tools, including specific examples of projects, platforms, or tools used, and their role in those initiatives. Research and analysis skills are required, particularly in conducting research or writing reports on emerging technologies, digital trends, or AI-related topics. b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must provide proof of their academic qualifications. Relevant academic and/or practical experience with data compilation, analysis, dissemination, visualization, and/or mapping of numeric analysis is desirable. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be a student in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program. The educational background should be relevant to the internship, particularly in areas related to environmental science, data analysis, or artificial intelligence.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have relevant academic experience or projects that demonstrate their ability to work with AI tools and technologies. This could include coursework, research projects, or practical applications of AI in environmental contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is another working language of the UN, but not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. 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.