Intern - Environmental Affairs

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Position Title: Intern - Environmental Affairs
Location: Incheon
Country: South Korea
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The internship opportunity is offered by the ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (SRO-ENEA), which is part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The organization focuses on promoting sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, with a mission to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. ESCAP was established in 1947 and operates in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region, working with governments and stakeholders to address regional challenges and promote cooperation. The office in Incheon, South Korea, is dedicated to addressing specific subregional issues, particularly in environmental cooperation.

Job Overview:
The internship at the ESCAP SRO-ENEA is designed for students or recent graduates who are interested in gaining practical experience in environmental affairs. The intern will work full-time for a minimum of three months, with the possibility of extending up to six months. The primary focus of the internship will be on supporting the North-East Asian Subregional Programme for Environmental Cooperation (NEASPEC), specifically in the areas of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Low Carbon Cities (LCC). Interns will be involved in various tasks that contribute to the preparation of major activities planned for 2025, providing a unique opportunity to engage with pressing environmental issues and contribute to meaningful projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a range of tasks that support the objectives of the NEASPEC programme. Key responsibilities include conducting desk research on relevant MPA topics to assist in drafting and preparing official documents under supervision. Interns will also assist with the copy editing of MPA study reports, support the preparation of the LCC booklet, and provide logistical support to ensure the smooth execution of meetings. Additionally, interns will attend meetings and summarize proceedings, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the office's initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but they must be pursuing or have completed a degree in a field closely related to the internship. This includes students in their final year of a bachelor's degree, master's, or Ph.D. programme. Good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, is essential. Desirable skills include the ability to draft news articles or social media posts, design surveys and polls, and experience in organizing events such as conferences and workshops. A strong understanding of environmental and energy issues in the context of sustainable development is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or they must have completed a bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. programme. This educational background should be in a field relevant to environmental affairs or sustainable development, ensuring that interns have the necessary theoretical knowledge to contribute effectively to the office's work.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not a requirement for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This could include internships, volunteer work, or academic projects related to environmental issues, policy analysis, or sustainable development.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are expected to work full-time, five days a week, totaling 40 hours. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Those who are not citizens or permanent residents of South Korea 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, ensuring that the application process is accessible to all qualified candidates.