Internship in the Executive Office

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is associated with the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, which are multilateral environmental agreements aimed at protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. These conventions are significant global treaties that address the lifecycle of hazardous waste materials, from production to disposal, and promote international efforts to manage hazardous chemicals responsibly. The organization operates under the United Nations framework and focuses on enhancing cooperation among the three conventions while increasing their visibility in the global development and environmental agenda.

Job Overview:
The internship is located in the Executive Office, which is responsible for providing leadership and executive direction to the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. The Executive Office manages the overall functioning of the Secretariat and oversees the delivery of services to the Parties involved in these conventions. The intern will work closely with the Programme Management Officer and the PAO Team, contributing to various tasks that support the conventions' strategic objectives. This includes drafting written outputs, developing outreach materials, and supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing youth engagement and awareness of the conventions' work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: drafting letters, presentations, and training materials that align with the conventions' strategic objectives; assisting in the development of outreach and visibility materials for the BRS website, newsletters, and social media; compiling action points from internal briefings and coordination meetings; supporting the implementation of the BRS Green Events Policy and sustainability initiatives; conducting background research on potential stakeholders; and supporting activities to strengthen youth engagement and raise awareness of relevant cross-cutting reports developed by the BRS Secretariat.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Preferred areas of study include business management, public administration, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law (especially international environmental law), and environmental management, particularly in relation to chemicals and waste management. While professional work experience is not required, a relevant field of study is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes either enrollment in or completion of a graduate school programme or the final academic year of a first university degree programme. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent is necessary, with preferred areas of study being business management, public administration, international law, and environmental management, particularly focusing on chemicals and waste management.

Experience:
While the internship does not require professional work experience, it is essential for applicants to have a field of study closely related to the internship's focus. This means that candidates should ideally have academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities and objectives of the internship.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also necessary, as it is another working language. Additionally, knowledge of Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or any other official UN language is considered desirable, as it may enhance the intern's ability to contribute to the organization's multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, meaning that they will not receive a salary for their work. All costs and arrangements 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 Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization before starting the internship. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer. Furthermore, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to pay for application, interview, or training processes.