Intern - Ecosystems Division

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system that addresses environmental issues at both global and regional levels. Established to be the leading global environmental authority, UNEP sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development across the UN system. The organization serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment, coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus and keeping the global environment under review. UNEP's Ecosystems Division collaborates with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, aiming to strengthen the environmental management capacity of developing countries and those with economies in transition. The overall objective of the Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, as well as the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity.

Job Overview:
This internship is linked to the front office at the Director’s Office within the Ecosystems Division of UNEP. The intern will work under the supervision of the Senior Programme Management Assistant and the Deputy Division Director, who will act as the second reporting officer. The role involves supporting various administrative and organizational tasks that are crucial for the efficient functioning of the front office. The intern will be expected to assist in the reorganization and optimization of the SharePoint/OneDrive filing structures, ensuring that documents are properly tagged, managed, and archived according to UNEP/UN standards. Additionally, the intern will support the migration of documents from older systems to new digital repositories, assist staff with troubleshooting and effective use of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Planner, and other M365 applications, and help prepare presentations and documentation for internal meetings. The intern will also assist with logistics for meetings and maintain updated contact lists for the Director’s Office. Participation in training and learning opportunities provided to interns by the United Nations is also a key aspect of this internship.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: supporting the reorganization and optimization of the front office SharePoint/OneDrive filing structures; assisting in document tagging, version management, naming conventions, and archiving in line with UNEP/UN standards; supporting the migration of documents from older systems or folders to new, structured digital repositories; assisting staff with troubleshooting and effective use of Teams, SharePoint, Planner, and other M365 applications; preparing presentations, visuals, and documentation for the Director’s internal meetings; assisting with logistics and set-up of meetings; maintaining updated contact lists for the Director’s Office; and participating in training and learning opportunities provided to interns by the United Nations.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent); or have graduated with a university degree in Information Technology, Business Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate pleasant interpersonal skills, the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Strong skills in Information Technology are required, particularly knowledge of Microsoft Office productivity tools for managing workflows, such as Microsoft Power Platform.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a university degree in a relevant field such as Information Technology, Business Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related area. Enrollment in a graduate programme or completion of a first university degree programme is also acceptable, as long as it aligns with the internship's focus.

Experience:
No professional work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, applicants should have a field of study that closely relates to the type of internship they are applying for. It is important for candidates to explain how their training, education, advanced coursework, or skills will benefit the United Nations during their internship, providing examples of relevant experience in communication, digital content, or multimedia work.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another language is considered an added advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding, while knowledge is defined as a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

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 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 any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training.