Intern – Environmental Affairs

Duties and Responsibilities

This Internship is under the supervision of Industry and Economy Division Chemicals branch, KRU Unit in Geneva Switerland. Under the supervision, guidance and mentoring of the respective Programme Management Officers, the Intern(s) will be engaged to support the work of one or two of the following topics (based on the Unit needs and interest of the possible candidate):

Environmentally Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants (EPPPs) and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), and will carry out the following duties:

• Assist in the delivery of activities related to chemicals and waste issues of concern, particularly Environmentally Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants (EPPPs) and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) through support to desk research, data and information collection and compilation, to convening of expert consultations, drafting of various written outputs such as input to background documents, presentations, in the context of the project “Global best practices on emerging chemical policy issues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals management (SAICM) (EDCs, EPPPs)” funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• Support the development of technical assistance and capacity-building project proposals towards the sound management of chemicals and waste in key sectors.
• Assist in awareness raising/information sharing activities, such as convening of face to face or online information sharing sessions/workshops, drafting of web content etc.Assist with other related tasks as appropriate.

Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plans, and will carry out the following duties:

• Assist in the delivery of activities under the Global component of the GEF Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plans update projects.
• Assist in data and information collection and compilation for the development of chemicals and waste related projects proposals and reports.
• Assist in organizing face to face and online meetings.
• Assist in the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, presentations, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and other communications, etc.; and
• Assist with other related tasks as appropriate.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and will carry out the following duties:

• Assist in the delivery of activities related to global monitoring and sound management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• Support project development including conducting desk research, data collection and information completion and liaising with stakeholders.
• Assist in organizing online and in-person meetings and expert consultations.
• Assist in the preparation of various written outputs such as background papers, concept notes, meeting reports among others.
• Assist in development of awareness raising materials and communication products.
• Assist with other related tasks as appropriate.

Mercury, and will carry out the following duties:

• Support the ongoing projects on mercury management in the context of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
• Support the research and design of the cross-cutting projects that address mercury pollution in the context of the biodiversity loss and climate change.
• Support the data visualization and communication efforts on the related subject.
• Support the work of the Secretariat of the Global Mercury Partnership.

Qualifications/special skills

UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development with the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• 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).

Preferred Area of Study: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, chemical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, sustainable development, or engineering or related field is required. Fully proficient computer skills and use of web-based platforms and relevant software e.g. word processing, PowerPoint, excel, internal databases, Internet etc. Preference may be given to Master’s candidates. Candidate should demonstrate keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter. Candidate should demonstrate ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/233838?language=en