Urban Food Systems Intern

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 coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP plays a crucial role in keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to promoting sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it works closely with various stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Job Overview:
The Urban Food Systems Intern position is part of UNEP’s Climate Change Division Mitigation Branch, specifically within the Subnational Climate Action Unit based in Paris. This internship is designed to support the UN system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The intern will contribute to various initiatives related to sustainable buildings, construction, urban food systems, energy, and integrated urban planning. The role is expected to last for six months, with a preference for candidates who can start in January or July 202

• This is a full-time, unpaid internship requiring interns to work five days a week, totaling 37.5 hours. Interns will work under the supervision of the Urban Food Systems Lead, Programme Management Officer Clementine O’Connor, and will be responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to the duty station.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will assist the programme manager in coordinating and implementing activities aimed at promoting sustainable food systems and reducing food loss and waste at both national and sub-national levels. Specific duties include: - Supporting the coordination of UNEP-led coalitions and communities of practice on food systems and food waste, which involves organizing virtual meetings, drafting agendas, and preparing summaries and reports. - Contributing to environmental, climate, and GHG impact assessments related to food waste by analyzing relevant data and translating findings into evidence to inform policy and program development. - Assisting in planning and implementing joint activities on sustainable urban food systems with UN agencies, civil society, cities, and private-sector partners. - Tracking key global food systems processes, such as Climate and Biodiversity COPs, and supporting the organization of advocacy events during these processes. - Liaising with thematic task teams and facilitating information-sharing on UNEP sustainable food systems activities across the organization. - Conducting research on sustainable food systems policies, governance, and climate impacts, and drafting briefing notes, policy summaries, and presentations. - Leading the development of communications content, including newsletters, member updates, and event summaries, and supporting updates of the stopfoodlosswaste.org website. - Exploring and supporting the articulation of UNEP’s role at the nexus between biodiversity, nutrition, and climate change, including identifying entry points for integrated food systems action and contributing to new project research and development. - Supporting administrative processes such as reporting and contracting of implementing partners.

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); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Additionally, candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications, demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, and possess a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Candidates should also have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views. A Master’s degree (completed or ongoing) in climate science, food systems, and/or political science is considered valuable.

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. Proof of enrollment or graduation will be required at a later stage of the application process.

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 ensures that the intern has a foundational understanding of the relevant issues and can contribute effectively to the work of the organization.

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 official United Nations language is desirable, and familiarity with Spanish, Japanese, or Portuguese is considered helpful.

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